My dog has kidney failure and is resisting care. Is it time for euthanasia?

Question

Kody developed renal failure after bladder stone removed 1/26/18. Lethargic. No appetite. Lab on 2/5 results: crea 4.0; bun 53; all 251; ggt 15. Have done few days at home subq IV. fluids. He wouldn't let do today.tried to bit me. When does eat a little I have to hand feed him. Do u think the failure can be reversed? At what point do I put him to sleep. Pet's info: Dog | Lhasa Apso | Male | neutered | 13 years and 1 month old | 30 lbs

Dr. Kristin DVM · Accepted Answer

I'm very sorry to hear about this situation. Sadly, even if Kody would tolerate fluid therapy at home, it would not reverse the renal failure. When we are giving subcutaneous fluids at home, we are trying to keep our pets comfortable and give them more time. In patients that do tolerate it well, it still only helps for a while. Making the decision to euthanize is never easy. What I never want to see is a patient that ends up resenting the care their family is trying to provide, and making their last days miserable for everyone involved. If you absolutely wanted to keep going and keep trying, you could hospitalize with IV fluids, or take him to the veterinarian for daily subcutaneous fluids, but if he hates the treatment, I'm not sure that is what most people would want their pet's last days to be like. I can only access how Kody is doing based on the information provided, but it sounds like you are at a point when it would not be wrong to consider euthanasia. Even knowing it is the right thing does not make it easy. I wish I had better answers for you.

My dog has kidney failure and is resisting care. Is it time for euthanasia?

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