I had my dog put to sleep today. He had kidney failure...how long would he have been suffering for?

Question

He first started to act really quiet and not like himself about 9 days ago (he is usually full of energy and life - very much so for a 14 year old yorkie) . I was on holiday and my sister was staying at my house minding the dogs. He kept picking up a bit and then seeming bad again. I got back 5 days ago and he seemed quite sorrowful. I just put it down to him missing us but he really didn't seem well. yesterday I took him to the vets and they put him on a drip. Today I rang and they said he was worse. I went to see him and they said he was dying so I did the best thing and had him put to sleep. He died in my arms and I can't describe how empty I feel. I love him so much. How long would he have been in pain for with having kidney failure? Would he have only felt ill for the past week or so, or would it have been an ongoing thing? He always seemed so well before for his age. Also I know he's a dog but would he feel any animosity towards me for going away? I had no idea he was ill

Answer 1

I am so sorry for you! I have had 4 of my pets put to sleep and was with them until the very end. My most recent was April 2.

He probably wasn't in pain, but just didn't feel well and very tired.

Rest assured, you did the right thing for him. He told you with his eyes what he wanted you to do for him.

You will never get over him, but you will learn to adjust. Then the time will come when you can talk about him with a smile on your face instead of tears.

Big hugs ☺

Answer 2

My dog Sadie passed away or should I say I put her down 7 years ago. She was in kidney failure. It is a very painful way to go you did the right thing and I know how you feel ! That was my baby!!!! ,But I had another dog and a 3 year old son that got me thru it. But just loss Hannah my other dog last year from cushins disease. Now I am taking a break for awhile I' ve owned dogs all my life and went to veterinary school, Time for a break!! Your dog would have probably only lasted a few more days by the sound of it and would of had a very painful death. You truly loved him and did the unselfish thing and let him go .I know it's hard. Depending on when your dog was diagnosed determines how long it would take so I can't give you a time table, but it sounds like he was sick for a long time. No, kidney failure takes longer than a week. It was on going. Sadie didn't get diagnosed until it was to late. Usually there is an odor that can come from their mouth and they stop eating ,but drink alot of water. They get listless. No don't beat your self up. You were there when he needed you most and it sounded like he was ready to go.

Answer 3

I am so sorry for you because I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet. Exactly the same thing happened to our beloved 15 yr old border collie. He was fine until on the Monday he refused his dinner. From then onwards he just lay around, very quiet and not interested. This went on for a few days so we knew something was horribly wrong and called the vet out. He said that he couldn't survive more than a few days because 'everthing was shutting down'. I understand that this is what happens with very old dogs. Dog cry if they are in pain and we didn't get anything like that or we would have reacted at once.
Please comfort yourself that your dog had a gentle death from old age and died in your arms. That is the right thing to happen and you have done the right thing for your dog. Not much comfort I know, particularly when the dog is an old friend and member of the family, as ours was.
We never thought we could love another dog again so much but two years later we took on the care of our son's one year old Doberman because he was no longer in a position to look after him. He is absolutely wonderful and we love him to bits. Always remember that, for a dog lover, there is always a doggy pal!

Answer 4

I doubt your dog would have animosity toward you, but maybe he wondered where you were while you were gone. I doubt it was much different from any other time you left. The wonderful thing about dogs is their optimism and forgiveness. You are a wonderful guardian of this dog. He knows it and he thanks you for it. If you believe in heaven, then think of how happy he must be, running around healthy in doggie heaven, and take comfort in the knowledge that you'll meet again.

I'm so sorry for your loss. 14 years is a long time, especially if you've had him for most of it. I'm so, so sorry. I have had to put a dog down for something similar - and emptiness is the best way to explain it. The hurt dulls with time, but nobody will ever take the place of your precious dog.

He was probably feeling okay until he started acting sick. He may have hurt a little, but dogs only cry when it REALLY hurts.

Of course, if you would have known you would have done things differently, but you did the best thing here. Like I said before, you were a wonderful guardian for this dog. If you're not ready for a new dog, don't rush it. Follow your heart.

Again, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. I'd give you a hug if I could. I wish you the best.

"I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay." http://petloss.com/ceremony.htm

Answer 5

Aww I am so so sorry to hear about your dog. I can only imagine how you feel and what your going through. I have a 10 year old golden retriever/lab and I will be devestated when he passes. Some people don't understand that our animals grow so attached to us as if they were apart of the family.

After reading your question just want to give you some peace of mind and let you know that your dog didn't suffer much. Although it hurts, you made the best decision by putting him to sleep. It's better to let him pass then to have him suffer. I don't think he has animosity that you left. Try not to be hard on yourself and celebrate the wonderful years you had him in your life. Memories will help you to always remember your special little guy. Good luck and keep your head up.

Answer 6

Don't beat yourself up about it, it is very hard to pin down when a dog is ill. With kidney failure it can be a long process to get to the point that it becomes a huge problem but it often doesn't effect them until it is at the point of complete failure, there would have been virtually no warning signs at all and obviously your dog was fine until the point that the kidneys failed.
I had to had my dog put down and that was due to a heart condition, he apparently had a problem for years but i didn't know as he was fit, health and active and i only found out when he got to the point that his heart was failing.
Don't worry your dog wasn't suffering or you would have known.
Just remember that it is one of those things and nothing to do with you going away, you did the best for your dog by leaving him with someone he knew so he felt comfortable and at easy he wouldn't have felt any aninosity at all, it was bad timing that the failure came at the time that you were away.

Just take your time to get over your loss you had him for 14 years and having something for that long in your life does take alot of time to get over.

Wishing you well

Answer 7

You poor thing, I had the same thing with my cat, she got sick and went downhill so fast I had her put to sleep on the same day, yet it was kidney failure that must have been brewing for months, but she never showed any sign of bieng ill, I felt terrible for not noticing, and was so upset when she died, I cant tell you if your dog was in any pain, but you seem like a caring owner who would have noticed if he was sick, so maybe he wasnt in any pain, but just felt off colour, but not enough to make a big change in his usual habits, or maybe they just failed suddenly, which can happen, with my cat it was very sudden, she was her usual self one day, eating normally, drinking normally, loafing about like she always did, the next day she was near death, I dont know how that happens, its very confusing.
The main thing is you did the right thing, you made the hardest decision a loving owner has to make, and you let him go, remember the 14 years you two had together, and dont feel bad, if he had been really sick, you really would have noticed, so he cant have been in much, if any pain, be nice to yourself, 14 is a really good age for a Yorkie!

Answer 8

II am very sorry for your loss. I bet he was a great dog. It may be that he became worse when you left because maybe he moped around and didn't eat or drink well, but don't get the guilts about it because you didn't know & this illness would have presented itself eventually. He may not have been in pain long, likely he was just running down a bit as time passed, you know just gradually getting a bit worse all along. You had him 14 years - that's great - a dog only lives that long if he's been well cared for, so don't beat yourself up & I'm sure he loved you & wouldn't hold it against you. I believe we will see them again in the afterlife - its a comforting thought anyway.

Answer 9

First yo did the right thing.
There is no way of knowing if he first actually felt any paina nd second how long.
How could he feel bad against you you apparently gave him an excellent life with him being as old as he was. I'm sure he knows you wouldn't have gone if you knew he was not feeling well.
Please don't blame yourself this is just one of those things
As soon as you thought there was something bad you took him to teh vets for treatment and you didn't let him continue to suffer.
yes I 'm sure you will miss him and it will be hard but just remember the good times, remember you did the best thing.
I don't know but when my dog had a masive heart attck I after a week got a new pup not to replace her but to help me have someone around to do things with. It help fill the whole that I had missing my dog but again didn't replace my old dog.
I got a totally different breed and personality so I made sure I wouldn't compare them. It did help me but you know what's best for you.
Sorry for your loss and everything will be ok.
Just be happy your baby didn't suffer and is now in peace.

Answer 10

I dont know much about kidney failure but I feel your pain with losing him, its a horrible empty feeling. I bet you that he is up in heaven right now thanking you for what you did, he probably was in a pain so he is in a better place. The best thing about a dog is they always forgive you. You werent to know that his kidney was going to fail it was just bad luck. You where there to help him in the end so thats all that matters. I guarentee that he is probably thanking you right now. Keep your chin up it gets easier!! Its been 3 months since I had to put my dog down and I can get through a whole day and either a week without crying now.