Posted by Katherine on August 20, 2000 at 11:24:29:
In Reply to: Don't Know What to Do/Was: Ig Kidney Failure...LONG posted by Lisa on August 20, 2000 at 11:17:55:
I'm not saying give up on him, but if he reaches the point he is no longer enjoying life, the kindest thing to do would be consider euthanasia. I know it's a very hard choice, but it's also very hard to watch a pet suffer until death. I had a rabbit that became very ill, and he became so weak I had to help him out of his litter box. I knew the time was near when I coudln't force feed him anymore. I made called the vet in the morning, but he died in my car in the clinic parking lot. I hope to never have to watch another of my animals die that way... and yes, I have had a pet euthanized, too. I hope when I go, it's as peacefully as that...
I'm sorry to hear the news about your ig.
Katherine
: Hello everyone. Well, it is confirmed that my Ig Stevie does have kidney/liver failure. So basically at this point, he is shutting down and it is a very long grueling process for me to witness. I can't even force-feed him water anymore (he won't swallow), not anything. He is looking very dehydrated, his eyes are sinking in. Everytime I think "this is it" and finally feel some relief that he is at peace, he pops back up and comes back to life and moves around again. I called the vet who is on-call today and she said that basically with these guys when they are shutting down their breathing slows (he takes a breath like every 2 minutes by opening mouth up wide) and they sort of go into hibernation. This could go on for days, she said. I don't feel comfortable euthenizing him, it hurts me too bad, but I don't want to see hime like this. I suppose it will get worse over the next few days. Has anyone been through this and can offer advice or think I should euthenize because it is going to get worse each day? I had an ig once that had gone into seizures for days before she died and I don't know if this is what comes next with this. I can't bear to watch that again....
: Lisa