greyhead

I'm so very sorry that the splendid, loving, and well-loved River couldn't have spent more time with you, Tricia and Burke. Fast or slow, the loss hurts deeply; but, yes, fast is such a gut punch. Sending love and hugs to you.

I'm so very sorry you had to make that heartbreaking decision, even though it was the only kind one. Perhaps you can feel or remember her spirit there with you. Sending hugs.

With our chronic kidney animals (Shane the greyhound and Sam the cat), both of whom lived 4-5 years after diagnosis, we learned not to go too low too fast on the protein. To do so makes their other systems suffer and leads to faster deterioration. Shane passed in 2016, but we had used Royal Canin Renal - Medium Protein very successfully with him; then they changed the formula designations to A, B, C or whatever, so I can't tell you what it's called today. Whatever brand you choose, try for medium protein limitation rather than drastic, which is for later in the disease progression. We also learned that it's the quality of the protein that matters more than the absolute amount. So lactose-free milk was great, and he gobbled up Costco rotisserie chicken! Wishing you all and your dogs the best. It's a roller coaster, and there's usually an Up after a Down, so keep the faith.

I'm so sorry, Kyle.

My heart is broken just reading about beautiful Moonshine. I couldn't be more sorry for your loss. She had to leave way too soon. You came to the right place to share your grief, and I'm glad you did.

What a great tribute to an amazing boy. He will be missed by many. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry she couldn't have stayed longer. But she made the most of it while she was with you, didn't she? What a feisty love she was!

This loss was devastating for you, and I'm so very sorry. I don't know if they are spirits or they are memories, but I do know that we can summon or just be open to the feeling/character of those departed ones as though they were right in the room. I hope you can experience Merlin that way. As long as you can remember his essence, he'll never be entirely gone.

I'm so sorry. Sending hugs. Godspeed Brandy.

Our dog with severe IBD required a multiple-treatment approach, and I'm sure yours does too. Raw food had to make up exactly 1/3 of his diet, with the rest being a novel-protein kibble (we picked venison). (You should understand the need for a single novel protein if you don't already.) Budesonide was a crucial component, and I agree with Tracy about that. We gave metronidazole, tylosin, sucralfate, and other things as needed (determined by symptoms a particular time). B-12 was crucial too, and he received acupuncture/chiro (mostly for his weakening back end but the doc said she was addressing his IBD also). We have to be careful about seeing improvement with a particular intervention and then concluding that that one thing is "it," as we all tend to do.

Could you please add Shane to the list? Thanks, Ducky.

Uber was a very special boy. I'm so sorry for your huge loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry Mafi had to leave, Jordan. You must miss her terribly.

Thanks so much, everyone. I'll revisit the subject with the vet.