chronic renal failure

My Rusty needed subq fluids the last months of his life.  He was NOT ready to leave and the fluids, administered AT HOME where he was more comfy cozy, absolutely did improve his quality of life.
 
I'm sorry that you are having these problems and i hope you'll turn to us with your concerns.  Welcome to idog, despite the reason you are here.

My vet thinks that I would have to administer 500ml and it would be too much under the skin.  He is willing to let me try if I want, but is not supportive of it, or hospitalization again. He will do it if I want, but I think he feels I am just postponing the inevitable.

That's what I did for a cocker, 3 times a week.
 
ASK your dog.  What is his quality of life?  Does he still enjoy eating, playing, going for walks, car rides, etc?  Quality of life is HUGE and so long as your dog is still enjoying his life, I'd give him a chance to fight.  JMHO

I'm so sorry for you, this must be very hard.

  Welcome to idog bglovac ; I'm sorry to hear about your Golden, and also surprised that the vet doesn't think the subcutaneous fluids will help. We had a cat who had problems with his kidneys when he turned 17. He was losing weight and wasn't feeling very well. The prescription diet and the subcu. fluids helped a lot. At our vet there were two prescription diets to choose from; one made by Eukanuba and the other by Hill's. Our cat preferred the one by Eukanuba. After starting on the fluids and the diet his appetite and energy level were better; he even gained weight. The fluids are easy to give. He lived about 18 more months, which isn't bad considering his age to start with. I know a cat's reaction to the prescription diet and fluids may be different than a dog's but what can you lose by trying? You could divide the 500ml of fluids he needs daily into 250ml twice a day. The fluid would pool on the side of Ralph (our cat) under his skin and his body would absorb it within a short time. Whatver you decide, we'll be here to support you. Please keep us posted about your precious boy.

Thanks for your reply!  Sunny is on special diet k/d , but last two days has refused to eat it.  I have been cooking him chicken and hamburger meat, but this morning wouldn't even eat that, he would only eat dog biscuits!  He is still drinking water, and acting pretty normally aside from the fact that he is losing weight.  I don't know why my vet wouldn't want me to try sub q fluids, I am going to check on Sunny when I get home from work and then decide what to do next.  Thank goodness me daughter is home during the day with him!

I'm sorry for your sick dog and for you!   I don't have help, luckily haven't had to deal with this, but I do want to say that I agree that if he is happy, playing and seems to enjoy life, its worth it to try to fight with him.   I think you will know if he gives up the fight.
Good luck,,,hang in there!
 

Hi BG and welcome to idog, I'm sorry for the reason you are here, that your golden is so ill. 
 
I had a dog suffer renal failure, she died at age 13.5 just over a year ago.  There had been signs leading up to the chronic failure... she had been leaking urine for a while, food changes made her pee all over and other quirky things like that.  By the time she was diagnosed with chronic failure, our vet also said that sub q fluids would be of little value and would possible cause her stress and discomfort.  At that point, he felt her kidney function was so compromised that there was nothing to do but keep her on the low protein diet and well hydrated orally.  Also, from observing my dog, I could see that it was time to let her live out her days without any life-extending measures. 
 
If you feel that you want to do more for your dog, then don't hesitate to see another vet.  There are many different opinions and treatments, and your dog is so very young. 
 
Hugs to you both. 

I'm sorry your vet isn't supportive -- that's a bit unfair.  SubQ fluids is no cure, but it can certainly make them much more comfortable.  [linkhttp://www.hydrovet.com]http://www.hydrovet.com[/link] is a good source for lactated Ringer's and hose kits and needles.
 
One of the things that helpd my Muffin the Intrepid was traditional Chinese veterinary medicine -- there are herbs that helped him a great deal, and acupuncture is a BIG help and relief for them.
 
[linkhttp://www.chi-institute.com]http://www.chi-institute.com[/link] -- they have a good locator to find a vet near you.  The vet can also show you accupressure points you can massage at home. 
 
Try ALL SORTS of things -- when a dog is toxic, they won't eat something that made them sick yesterday -- so try whatever works.  WHATEVER works. 

Thanks to all for your kind words.  Yesterday, I cooked chicken which Sunny ate, however this morning he did not eat as well, had to hand feed him.  He is still happy and anxious to go places with me, walks, car rides, etc., but obviously losing weight.  He sleeps every night in my daughter's room, has since he was a puppy, and she is taking this very hard (we all are!)  If he does not eat this afternoon, I think I will go ahead and try the sub-q fluids and see if it makes him feel any better. 

Being "owned" by 3 goldens myself, I certain feel for you. Buck turned 11 in Feb. KayCee will be 7 in Aug. and Honey turned 4 in Dec.  I would certainly try the giving of fluids.  Thoughts are with you and your golden boy.

Things are not looking good today.  Sunny did not eat anything but a few dog biscuits last night, refused everything I cooked for him.  This morning he would not even eat a dog biscuit.  I am afraid this is the end....

Before you give up, please try yahoogroups. There is a K9Kidney group and a K9Kidneydiet group. There are people going through the same issues with CRF and their dogs. A friend of mine's 14 y/o dalmation. He is almost 15 now and his numbers are looking good. She has found lots of feeding options, and he has put on weight. This is a dog that was on sub Q fluids a year ago.  He is not cured but he has had a year more at least of feeling good.

Thinking of you at this time.It is so hard when they are ill.Give him lots of extra love and hugs.Hang in there.