We've all had to hear words that are just *hard* to hear. That happened to me yesterday when I found out hat my 13-year-old puppy dog, Daphne Doodle, has kidney disease.
I took her to the vet for her yearly physical on Friday and they ran her "geriatric" blood work against the baseline they have from when she was nine. Based on the results they learned that she has kidney disease. This means that her kidney's are failing and there is no solution or cure. All we can do is make her as comfortable as possible. The vet also recommends a medication that helps (Azodyl) and changing her to a low-protein diet. I am starting both immediately.
Daphne has all the signs - not eating much (she has taken herself to one meal a day) and drinking and urinating a lot.
They vet asked about how's she's been acting and aside from being somewhat unusual for a short time earlier this year, she is acting like her typical self and just as playful as a puppy. I feel like now I know why she was acting that way earlier this year - she was in some kind of discomfort. I was going to take her to the vet but then she snapped out of it and has been back to her old self ever since.
Since she appears to be happy and pain-free, the meds and new diet will only help. However, like anything else, it won't last forever and her kidney's will eventually fail.
She turned 13 this year and I am so blessed to have had her this long! Of course I've always known that she won't live forever and that something will eventually happen. Now I just know what it is.
As far as time the vet said there is no clear indicator. She could live only a few more months or a couple more years. I told the vet that since she turned 12 we've taken it day-by-day so really this is no different. We will continue to take it day-by-day and make her as comfortable as possible - as I've always tried to do - for the rest of her days.
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. This made me tear up! It is so hard to hear something like since we love our animals like family. I really hope you get to spend a lot more time with her. Give her an extra hug from me!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read that. I also had a "longtime" friend names Vanessa. SHe was with us for 15 years - the best companion ever. Take it one day at a time and TAKE many pictures and keep your memories!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. My dogs are my babies and we always say they're going to live forever... here's hoping she has several happy years left!
ReplyDeleteAw...so sorry to hear this. Poor girl. All you can do is try to keep her comfortable. Ironically, my dog spent the day at the vet yesterday too (teeth cleaning & anesthesia) and they were concerned about HER kidney function as well. It all turned out OK, but my hubs joked "We are not putting her on dialysis!" Hang in there, give her lots of love for whatever time she may have left.
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