Thursday, June 21, 2018

The Battle

~Eva last Saturday~
Those of us who have lived with dogs who have kidney failure will know exactly what I'm talking about.  It's that daily challenge I am facing in trying to get our beautiful Eva to eat.  She is now in the final stages of kidney failure and because of nausea, she refuses to eat. The heavy doses of medication that are supposed to alleviate her nausea, aren't really working.

Last week she had been eating pretty well, but by Monday morning I could see that her appetite was starting to wane a bit. Then she didn't eat, and the battle to get her to eat began again.  I try everything and anything to interest Eva in food.  Nothing is off limits since she has now decided she doesn't like the stinky-green-tripe.  I just hope, hope, hope, that maybe I'll find the one thing she'll eat for that one meal. That's all that matters.  Because the next meal, I can fix the exact same thing and Eva will decide that she doesn't want it. And so the next battle begins.....  With apprehension and trepidation I put Eva's bowl down in front of her.  I always keep it light and fun on the outside, giving her lots of of praise - But it's all an act. Inside I am praying and pleading and my heart is breaking as I hold my breath hoping that Eva will find what I have prepared for her a little bit appetizing and she'll eat a bite or two, or even better, the whole meal. When she does, we of course celebrate.  When she doesn't, I'll admit, I end up in tears. It's hard to not take it personal, because it really is.

This morning Eva's meal consisted of some canned cat food and a cooked cut-up hot dog mixed in with her kibble.  As you can see in the photo below, she ate.  We all celebrated.
~I even try different bowls for Eva's meals~
Eva's kidney disease is a war that we sadly won't win in the end.  Eva's being given fluids here at home twice a week now. But this morning WE won this battle and for that, I'm thankful and grateful and it gives me hope.
~IV Fluids at home for Eva now~

38 comments:

  1. One step at a time. We know the agony of trying to get a dog to eat that wants no part of food. Phantom was our challenge. You are doing all that you can do for Eva - we hope you and she can continue to celebrate small victories.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber and Mom

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  2. To be honest I don't know what to say here except time will tell , as hard as it is sometimes enough is enough and as we try to do all we can for our fur babies the angels will come and free their spirits to a place where they can frolic in piece and in eternal good health . I pray for you both through this difficult time . xoxo

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  3. When Samba was sick she was terribly hungry and would eat but then the nausea and cramps set in, so she associated whatever she had eaten with feeling sick. She wouldn't eat that food again. Each meal I tried to come up with something new to tempt her until she just gave up. I know how sad and disappointed you feel.

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  4. We've not had to deal with that but we know too well how illness impacts all of us. We're keeping you in our prayers.

    The Johnson Family and Abby Lab

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  5. You are very creative in meals. So hard. We'll keep Eva in our thoughts....and you, too.

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  6. Oh noes. I will keep my paws crossed that sweet Eva will feel like eating the delish foodables. Sendin' lots of loves and {{{{hugs}}}} and AireZens your way.
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥
    pees: if you don't wants that tripe Eva, send it my way...it sound FABulous ☺ ♥ I'll trade you some freeze dried chickens!

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  7. Too hard and so sad, but Eva has had the most love and care ever.XXX to you all, and hopes that a new meal will be so tasty for your darling girl.

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  8. Savor what's left-it doesn't sound good.

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  9. Angel Maggie had kidney failure the last couple of years of her life. She loved sweet potatoes and pasta best and she loved her Nilla Wafers. Hugs to you and Eva♥

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  10. My thoughts are with you both. Kim you are trying so hard to help Eva, and I'm so glad that you have had some small victories in getting her to eat.
    Hugs from Inca Lab. and me, in far-off sunny Spain

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  11. Oh Kim, I still wonder how you can do this daily. My heart hurts for you, Carl and Eva. She looks good though. Just know that in your heart you guys are doing the best you can. I'm sure Eva knows that as well.
    Prayers for Eva. Ana

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  12. God Bless you and Eva! I know you are doing the best you can for Eva and all your dogs. Sending hugs and well wishes.
    Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  13. You are a strong person. You do a job that I just could not do. I love my doggie but the heartbreak you go through on a regular basis I just couldn't do.

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  14. Chopped boiled egg? Vienna sausages (mine love those things)? Deli sliced ham or turkey? My little one recently went through several weeks exactly like that - I was practically in tears at every mealtime. I ended up deciding she was in pain, not nauseated, and took her to a chiropractor. After one adjustment plus a daily pain med, she was much better, and now, a couple of weeks later, is back to her old self! Hoping with all my heart for Eva to improve and start eating...

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  15. I know exactly how you feel as we went through this same thing with our Angel Nina. We wasted a lot of food thinking she was going to eat it because she like something the day before only to have her refuse it at the next meal. I'm sending you a hug and Millie & Walter have their paws crossed for you and Eva.

    Cindy

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  16. oh darling.
    bless you.
    each one of you.
    no words good enough.
    xo

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  17. (((Hugs))) to you and to Eva

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  18. You've triggered almost forgotten memories of fish being boiled. An absolute favourite for a dog with renal problems who wouldn't eat anything else. May 'That' day when it's no longer appetizing be far away.

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  19. Thinking of you and Eva, hoping she will start eating. One time, some years ago, we had a sick greyhound, she wouldn’t eat, although we knew it was the end really. Our vet did a clever thing which at least gave one of her final good meals...she used a grain of uncooked rice and gently pressed it on an area of her foot, near her paw at the back....sure enough, when we got home our dog ate. Apparently pressing in that area stimulated her appetite. Subsequently we did lose her, but we were pleased she had eaten on that occasion.

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  20. Bless you for doing everything you can for Eva and we hope her appetite gets better.
    Sending tons of hugs and POTP
    love
    Hazel & Mabel

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  21. Kim, Our prayers continue for you and Eva. We know that you are doing everything possible and we thank you for your loving kindness to Eva. The way you draw from your inner strength to fight these battles is nothing short of unbelievable, God Bless you in your endeavors.

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  22. Purrayers and POTP for beautiful Eva and all who love her !

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  23. Dear Eva,

    You are a Very Good Dog. I know you're trying so hard for your person. And she is trying very hard for you too. Big licks and cuddles for your both.

    Cobi

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  24. Holding your heart and sweet Eva's also, gently and close to my own.
    Gus' Mom

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  25. Hugs💔💔💔💔💔

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  27. My heart is breaking for you all. Fingers crossed.

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  28. Very sad for Eva . . . for you.
    Beautiful, loving, caring person you are!

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  29. Each day is such a gift. My heart is full for Eva and all at Golden Pines, dear Kim.

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  30. Oh Kim.... your story! Your story has connected with me & our life here once again. Our aged kitty Mistletoe doesn't have kidney failure but he has the same symptoms as Eva. The doctor doesn't know what's wrong and we don't either but... the eating-vomiting-diarrhea cycle has been in place for *years*!! :-( Mistletoe is (barely) fur & bones but all his bloodwork is always within the normal ranges. Since Thanksgiving last year we are now feeding him every 2 hours, day and night. My husband stays up til 1am & feeds him then. He sets his alarm for 3am & gets up to feed. Then I have my alarm set for 5am, when I get up to feed & start my day. We can go nowhere that takes us away from the house longer than 2 hours or we'll come home to a very sick cat & lots of mess to clean. Mistletoe turned 16 this past May 1st and our vet has told us that we certainly have the reason to put him to sleep... but I'm just waiting for "the sign" that it's time to be finished. I haven't seen it yet so we wait... and keep setting our alarm clocks. I will keep sweet Eva and all of YOU folks in my prayers. Lovingly, Andrea xoxo

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    1. Oh... and the appetite thing & trying to get food to stay down. We are performing the same juggling act too. Baked chicken, baked turkey, Kentucky Fried Chicken, tuna fish, every kind of canned food on the market, you name it. What works one day doesn't work the next. Such a vicious cycle, isn't it. :-(

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  31. Oh, Beautiful Eva, how I want you to feel good.

    Kim, you are so very good to her. Sadly, I've known this battle in the past so I know a tiny bit about how you feel. I hope that you can find a rotation of things that will keep her eating. And, I'm glad that you can give fluids at home (that's what we did, too). Sending you and Eva love and hugs.

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  32. I hope you find something that she can't resist. I'm sure it's tough to get excited to eat when it makes you nauseous :( Sending hugs your way and hoping there's some relief for you and Eva :)

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  33. You are an angel on Earth, I wish for kinder days for Eva, and continued strength to you, your efforts are beyond praise.
    Eva has love in her life, I'm sure that's what makes her happy.
    Hugs,
    Jo

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  34. So sad for Eva, and praying for her and you.

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  35. I know this is breaking your heart Kim.. Please eat and get better Eva
    love
    tweedles

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