My dog has kidney disease. What are non-euthanasia treatments?

Question

What treatment can be given to a farmer with kidney disease? She eats and drinks well. I was in the hospital 2 days with that diagnosis and they recommended euthanasia but I do not believe in that option ... Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | 80 lbs

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

Poor baby. Kidney failure is usually pretty bad news in dogs. The usual treatment is hospitalization for IV fluids to lower kidney values (since high kidney values make animals feel crappy) and treatment for whatever associated complications an animal has (such as nausea or anemia). Early in the disease, food changes and at home fluids can help. You mentioned that Priscilla has already been hospitalized for two days, so I'm going to assume she has two days of aggressive fluids and her kidney values haven't gone down. If you don't believe in euthanasia than I'd say you need to find a veterinarian who practices hospice in your area. A Google search should turn up an opinion or two. In your own, there isn't much you can do. I will warn you that kidney disease often ends in euthanasia because at the end stages it causes severe nausea, vomiting, severe weight loss, ulcers in the mouth, severe dehydration (even though they are drinking a lot, it just goes right through them). So it's not a good way to go without really really aggressive support from a local hospice vet. I'm so sorry and you are Priscilla are going through this. You'll be in my thoughts.

My dog has kidney disease. What are non-euthanasia treatments?

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