Thanks so much for the replys

You can try a little low/no sodium chicken or beef broth in the water. I think some people use Pedialyte as well, but I don't know if it has any ingredients that would be harmful to a compromised liver or kidney.

I am so sorry for your situation. Best wishes to you.

Thanks. I am thinking he may not make it much farther. So so sad.

Welcome to idog;  Kelly is right; try the chicken broth or Pedialyte. I'm so sorry you're facing the loss of your dog. Do you know about the Rainbow Bridge;        [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=9]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=9[/link]
 
It is where our pets wait for us to join them; while they are waiting they have many animal friends to play with and they are strong and healthy again. You may want to spend the last days with your pup telling him about the Bridge so he'll know what to expect; they understand a lot more than you think. Tell him you will join him there someday too but he will have many friends to play with while he's waiting.  When the time comes to say goodbye it will be easier on both of you if he knows what to expect when he crosses the Bridge. I hope that time will be later rather than sooner; when the time does come many vets will come to your home, which is usually much better for your dog. You will know when it's time to let him go; please keep us posted about him. I'm so sorry.

So sorry to hear that your dog is not doing well.

I run Huskies and when I need them to hydrate before a run I use broth too.  It just makes the water more appealing.  Also you can tell if he is dehydrated by pinching a bit of his skin. If it snaps back right away he's ok.  If it takes a second or two then its time to get some water into him.  Just make sure the broth is low or no sodium as the salt will just add to the problem.

I just got back from the emergency clinic. His heart is enlarged and that is making his breathing stressful. Pulmonary edema is present. Treaments for heart vs. liver/kidney oppose each other. He is 16 yo, 90% blind and 80% deaf.  He has kicked ass for quite a few years and knocked on death's door twice previously. To try to turn him around on this one would be entirely selfish. I have had Barney since he was 6 weeks old, just a wobbly little potato. I will miss him dearly. I only wish he had slipped away during the night sometime to save me this awful decision, but what he has inside him that keeps him from slipping away quietly now is the same thing that has saved him in the past.

A picture of my sweet boy.

I am so sorry that you have to go thru this. Most of us do at one time or another,,and we sure understand your pain.
May I say he is just the cutest.....I love his face.

He's such a sweet looking boy; I'm sorry to hear that he's having trouble breathing. It seems as though you don't have any treatment options since the treatment for his heart would oppose the treatment for his kidneys. I'm so sorry that you may need to help him over the bridge, but it may be the final act of love for him; to ease his suffering. It is a very hard and painful decision but you will know when the time comes. I'm sending <<<BIG HUGS>> and you'll be in my prayers; I hope someone is with you to help you through this.

Thank you for your kind words. When I got him, we put Barney and his 2 siblings on the  floor to observe them and Barney was the one that was most mobile, shooting off to investigate something. A quality (although sometimes dangerous) he carried all through his life. He was happiest when he was free, unconfined and unrestrained. 

HI -- I've been exactly where you are -- kidney and heart stuff often go side by side, and between the kidney and liver they do most of the 'detox' stuff for the body. 
 
You can do sub-cutaneous fluids at home -- it's a difficult chore but it brings them a lot of comfort (it's essentially like a very basic dialysis - like them giving him IV fluids at the vet - you give fluid under the skin to flush out the kidneys).
 
You can give him water in a syringe pretty easily -- no needle - just put the end of the syring behind his big canine tooth and squeeze gently -- he will swallow what hits his tongue.
 
Will he eat ice? 
 
As I said, I've 'been there' and my thots and prayers are with you.  If you can just talk to him,  ask HIM what he wants you to do.  When you have a bond that deep with a dog often just giving them 'permission' to slip away will let them.  Often they stay thinking they MUST because they can't leave you. 
 
I lost one of my old guys last February -- he was just 2 months shy of 19.  He was sick for just a couple of weeks but he tried SO hard to 'get well'.  That last morning however, he wouldn't swallow the water I put in his mouth and he made no attempt at all to stand to pee (which altho weak he had been TRYING to do) -- it knew as clearly as if he'd said the words audibly he wanted to go.  It makes it much easier if you know what they want.
 
Take care -- let me or any of us know if we can help.  My shoulder is there -- ANY time.  Callie

What a darling dog!  I am so sorry to hear he is doing poorly and you are going to have to make that horrible decision we all have to make (twice for me) but remember, if you let him go, you are doing it for him, if you keep him, you are doing it for you.  That is the only way I was able to let mine go.

I woke up at 4am, relieved that I had not missed a call somehow from the clinic. Made some coffee, put some clothes in the dryer, and searched for one of Barney's bandanas. The drive to the clinic was effortless, like one sometimes experiences when on a lengthy cell phone conversation. "How did I get here?” you wonder. Barney was in one of the kennel cages sleeping. He received 400cc of fluid in the 8 or so hours he was there. I was asked if I wanted to visit him; I accepted and went to where he was. I wanted to walk him a bit, get a feel for his comfort level and allow him to empty. He peed on the clinic floor before he made it outside. In his old age B. became less concerned about where he went - most of his sleeps being fairly deep. We walked around a bit, and made our way back inside. His breathing was slightly labored after the short walk, but he was still comfortable and feeling much better than the night before. The good doctor and I discussed what he would need to continue with life. Barney lay down and situated himself for a nap on the cold, hard clinic floor. He settled himself a couple more times before finding the right position. This behavior is what would happen if I brought him home except he would have his bed to sleep in, and be even more resistant to getting up and drinking water, something so critical to his sustenance.
    I knew today would an instant replay of yesterday if I brought him home: dehydration setting in, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and spontaneous urination. I felt it an awful way to exist, in a cage taking fluids IV just to remain comfortable, using all his energy to climb a mountain he would unlikely reach the peak of, and if he did, it would only be a short time before the fluid around his heart that would make it such a chore to get up and go outside would reappear. His heart would fail to move enough blood through the liver and kidneys, leading to greater toxicity, meaning nausea, eliminating the desire to drink water.  A vicious circle.
    I told the vet that I see no reason to continue this cycle and we should take advantage of his current condition and comfort. The doctor brought out a form for me to sign, prepped the injection, and asked if I wished to be present. Barney was startled when the Vet picked him up and carried him to an exam table. I got him to lie down and stroked him back to a drowsy state; he was never a morning dog. Barney already had the IV tap, so there wasn't even a needle prick. I stroked his head and body and kissed him once for me and once for my former wife as requested while the vet checked his heartbeat. The fluid went into the catheter and he faded into my arms. He was unconscious in 5 seconds and gone in 20 seconds or so. It was such a strange experience to hold him then as he had never been unconscious in my presence. I wept into his bandana, but a feeling of relief followed, knowing he was no longer tethered to me, an IV, or any other earthly bounds.
    I have his collar hanging on my rearview mirror and I will donate his meds and remaining food to the local humane society. He will be buried in the society's cemetery, the proceeds from burial going to the support the shelter and their noble cause. 
   
Goodbye sweet friend and thank you for sixteen years of wonderful memories.

I'm so sorry. He is out of pain and running and playing with friends and not getting out of breath.  He's waiting for you and thanking you. I'm sure he's looking on you with loads of love.

i am so very sorry for your loss.  sometimes the hardest thing we can do is love enough to let go.  you did that ....hugs and thoughts from south dakota