Throwing up

janice7920 said:
took my baby back to the vet today and the news they gave us is grim. The creatine number went up to 4.6 (from 4.1 on Monday and 4.4 on Tuesday.) I have been syringe feeding her although today she is drinking water on her own. Unfortunately the fluid they injected under her skin yesterday did not completely absorb so they felt they could not give her anymore. They took an xray and thought they saw a little fluid in the lungs or near the heart because there was some haziness on the picture, so they were not encouraged about giving her an IV in case it would cause heart failure from too may fluids. But on the other hand, the vet told us the heart sounded good when she listened to it (??)

The vet explained that an IV woudl pump in fluids in to flush toxins and restart kidneys. I don't completely understand the difference between using a diuertic and using IV fluids to flush the kidneys: Is that two different things? I asked, but it didn't sound like diuertics were an option.

She told us we could take her home and keep her comfortable. She gave us a final injection of Cerenia - that it couldn't be used more than 3 times - for nausea, to prolong her ability keep food down. My baby cried out terribly when the injection was given - the vet said it was uncomfortable for the dog as the fluid was going in. This was when I began to cry.

So, it was left that we would call them when we need them. (like when we were ready to put her down.)

I am desperate now because, even though the dog is somewhat lethargic and needs to be syringe fed, I can still see my girl in there! She wags her tail and looks at me with her big brown eyes. I may be in denial but I feel like I have to give her one last chance for help so I have an appointment tomorrow morning with a Holistic vet as a last resort. If she tells me theres nothing more to be done, then I guess I will have to make my peace with that :(

I am hurting so much for my baby. Thank you for your continued kindness, it means alot to me to have your support.
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diuretics will work like a hammer on the kidneys, increasing already sky high
Cr level while IV hydration might let kidneys flush whatever toxins are present like a river flushes sediments downstream
there are very few dialysis places for dogs but it sounds like your only option at this time
I am so sorry...
 
Thank you for all your replies. And thank you for explaining diuertics to me -- I didn't know that but now I understand.

I've heard stories of people who waited too long to put their dogs down and I don't want to be one of those who keeps the dog alive and uncomfortable, just for my own benefit. Although I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I could make her hang on for weeks, months, ... so sad.

The vet we talked with Monday & Tuesday was off so we saw a different one yesterday (at the same office.) She told me there really were no other options that would be anything more than a Band-Aid. I took the extra shot of cerenia because it sounded like there was nothing more to be done for the nausea, but this morning the vet we saw Mon & Tues called, and said, yes- there is Reglan for nausea. Yesterday's vet didn't tell us this when I asked about nausea aids, so this is where I become lost and confused.

I'm anxious about this mornings visit to the holistic vet, as a 2nd opinion. Maybe it will all be clearer to me if theres really no more to be done. My emotions are so raw right now that I still want to hang onto a shred of hope, even though I think my mind is starting to tell me something else -- my heart is still wishing. Thank you for sharing your own experiences. Before we had this dog, we had another sheltie that had liver cancer and I was always wondering if I put her down too soon. Probably not, but it haunts me now anyway.
 
I am so sorry to hear about your struggles
Hugs to you, and you will do whatever is best for your baby, I have no doubts.

I am thinking of you!
 
Janice, I'm so sorry to hear about your little girl. I know how tough these diagnoses can be. I'm holding out hope that the holistic vet can give you some help. I've had great luck with holistics for my dogs, so maybe there's something that can be done.

Meantime, we know what you are going through, and we're sending you hugs and support. We're here for you.
 
janice7920 said:
Before we had this dog, we had another sheltie that had liver cancer and I was always wondering if I put her down too soon. Probably not, but it haunts me now anyway.
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You always wonder if it was the right time or too soon or if something else could have been done but there's no right answer - you just have to trust that it was the right time :sadsmile:
 
My heart goes out to you. I have just recently joined this website but, I must say that many feel your pain......

It helps to try to think of the good memories when you are hurting! It will bring a smile to your face and you be grateful for the time you had with her.....
 
Low phosphorus foods to try to feed her:

White rice (try to get good Asian rice, not that crap they sell at the grocery store)
Plain Cream of Wheat/Malt-o-Meal, whichever they sell in your area
White Potato
Egg Whites

The phosphorus is what is making her ill, these foods may help her get some appetite back.
 
thank you for all of the replies.

As my last resort, I took Holly to a holistic vet last week Thursday. ALot of the people in her waiting area told me how much success she has had with various treatments. Regardless of the final outcome, it has been a very positive experience. She prescribed several supplements and herbs in addition to a change in diet. I'm not sure how things will turn out, long term, but the dog looks a little better than she did last week, when our regular (former) vet turned out us with a so-long-see-ya-later attitude and I felt more assured that I was doing everything I could to make sure I gave it my all for Holly. She showed us how to administer sub-q saline fluids 2x a day at home - saline vs. other liquid - and replaced the aluminum hydr. The toxin-doggie-breath has improved. Our regular vet told us the dog had fluid in her lungs but an ultrasound & eckogram (sp?) yesterday show that there isn't any. Not sure whats up with that; the new vet sent the results out to be read by someone who reads those type of images and has some level of expertise in that type of thing...so I'm not sure why the two different interpretations. Our regular vet saw shadows and said she thought it must be fluid, but apparently, it wasn't.
so, I thought I should post a follow-up note today, since everyone was so kind and supportive last week. Thank you again for your thoughts.
 
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