Old dog won't eat

mad_spaniel

I took dog back today - booked him in at 8.30 -vets are continuing flush through via IV. Just had a call from vets. He's brighter.  Dog has eaten dry renal food happily. Told to pick him up again at 6.30pm. Apparently he's got high blood pressure- normal should be like a human at circa 120 over 80. His readings are over 200. The vet will discharge with blood pressure tablets and maybe with 'Pakateen'- dont' know if spelling is correct. Apparently this can be sprinkled over normal food - something to do with phosphorous- I didn't understand what the vet was saying . So I'm happier about dog's longer term prospects. Will have to go back in 3 weeks or sooner if he deteriorates. But he's ok for now. Yeah!

elsien

Glad the news is good.
Think they probably mean Ipakitine powder.
https://www.blackcatmedicines.com/ipakitine-powder-180g.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Mb3BRCaARIsAPSNGpVhIWtlpAy6AhSM3M4UAKSyAdnS5LG5eBZZYIfhQZbVR-LI6l2VricaAgllEALw_wcB

mad_spaniel

Elsien -Thanks for that speedy response. Yes does sound like the right sort of stuff

hb2

Thanks for the update, I'm glad that things are going well.

mad_spaniel

Dog has refused both dry and wet specialist food for kidney failure. I've been feeding him roast chicken . But he's been throwing that up quite often. I'm going to phone vets tomorrow but fear we might be heading for that ' quality of life' conversation previously mentioned. I don't want him to suffer but am at a loss  what else to do to get him to eat.

onwards&upwards

Its ok for him to not eat much for a few days, don't feel you have to keep pushing it, animals are like us, they know when they aren't up to eating.  

Definitely talk to the vet tomorrow and update them and see where to go from there.  It may be time to start thinking about the future, but wait and see. 

RelievedSheff

Oh dear. Sorry to hear he has gone downhill again. 

sheramber

Giving IV fluid is a temporary measure to see if the dog will start eating again so medication to help the  kidneys can be given.
The reason they don't eat is because  of nausea due to the kidneys not filtering the waste products from the system.
It is not just a case of not eating. they feel sick.
Unfortunately, by the  time kidney failure shows it is quiet advanced.
Thinking of you as I have been there but please put your dog's welfare first.

hb2

OP, you are in my thoughts. Our animal companions give us so much love and joy; when the end comes, the last loving thing we can do for them is to not let them suffer unnecessarily 😢

KxMx

Eating is a major component of any animals life.
Without that ability you have to question if an animlas life without food is worth it for them. 

My cat had terminal cancer (small cell lymphoma) but kept eating despite the vomiting (fluid/foam/bile, rarely food, not at all once she was on a sensitive diet).

When she was very, very sick (both ends) and missed half her meals one day (on 4 small a daily) I knew the end was coming. 

Even though she ate and kept in breakfast the next day I stiil took her to be PTS later that day.