I’ve just learned that Charlie has uremia.

As kidney function declines, a dog retains ammonia, nitrogen, acids and other chemical wastes in her blood and tissues. This is called uremia.

According to what I just Googled, uremia is a major symptom of renal failure. It said it is also a sign of the last stages of chronic kidney disease.

This is what Abi had. It is what she died of.

In Charlie Has Uremia, and I am so upset. But I'm taking him in to Dr. Poteet to be rehydrated with fluids.

Dr. Poteet rehydrated Charlie with fluids. He also gave him a shot for nausea plus an antibiotic.

I asked Dr. Poteet what he would do in my shoes. He said he would rehydrate Charlie for three days and see what happens. He said then we’d know, if that didn’t produce results, that we’d done all we could do.

Of course I feel devastated. I tried not to show it in front of Charlie. Wearing a face mask helps on that front.

So I will take him back this afternoon for his second day of fluids.

I have not given him any medication since day before yesterday.

He loves the pill pockets I put them in. But he won’t have anything to do with the pill pockets either right now. So I’m not forcing the issue.

When We Got Home:

When we got home around 5:30 (the vet was running late) Charlie drank some water and ate a bit of his prescription dry dog food. He wasn’t as wobbly as he’d been earlier. But he’s still weak.

Oddly enough, he has not coughed one time since at least Wednesday.

Charlie standing on the patio looking at me

Last night he wanted out almost every hour. It was to eat the herbs that settle his stomach.

Finally I just tore a few stems off the plants and brought them inside. I put them on the bed with us so he could chew on them and let me rest a bit.

All we can do is love them and care for them the best we can. I am going to try to stay as calm as possible for Charlie. Because he always seems to sense my tension.

Will keep you updated.

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I'm Brenda, creator of Cozy Little House. I live with my cat, Ivy, who keeps me laughing. I graduated from journalism school with a degree in professional writing and won awards for feature writing. I practice gratitude and enjoy my solitude. The glass is always half-full.

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65 Comments

  1. So sorry. I have a 15+ year old terrier mix. It so hard to go through. Thinking of you and your pup.

  2. You’re a good dog mom. My heart goes out to you and your sweet Charlie boy.

  3. I’m so sorry Brenda. I think you know that you’ve gone above and beyond to help Charlie in every way possible. He is very fortunate to have such a caring mama as you are. Sending prayers and hugs

  4. I’m sorry Brenda :o( My thoughts are with you and Charlie, I hope he pulls through this.

    Tania

  5. I’m so sorry Brenda sending you and Charlie hugs and prayers 💕

  6. I wish I could be there to give you a BUG hug… the one’s where we don’t want to let go for a long time. This will have to do though… (((((Brenda))))) (((((Charile)))))

  7. I’m sorry you and Charlie are going through this. You have given him a home and family and that is so special. I know you both share many memories and he has helped you through different stages and rough patches. I always think, “I hope she knows she’s not alone.” And that sounds silly. But so many times, I really do feel like I’m there with you. At least in the spirit of support. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I used to be a vet tech and I can tell you will always do the very best for Charlie. Love to you both.

  8. My heart is breaking for you and your Charlie pup.
    The hardest thing to do is to let our fur babies go. It’s also the kindest and most unselfish thing we can do. No more aches, no more pain, no more sickness.
    Every time I have had to say good bye, I tell my husband, “I am done…I am just going to get a stuffed teddy bear”. But, when a 4-legged furry friend comes into my life, I always take them home with me.
    You have done all that you can do for your buddy.
    Just remember, you are not alone.

  9. My heart and thoughts are with you Brenda. I pray Charlie gets better this weekend. Please know we are all right there with you ❤️

  10. Sending hugs to you, Charlie and Ivy. These babes know the most love possible from you. I am so happy you have both your daughters and their families in your daily life now. You are helping Charlie to be at calm so he can be at peace and he can sense way more than we think. All your readers love you and all praying for each of you. Keep us updated so we can help you from afar. Love from Robin in NYC

  11. Brenda, I am so very sorry and send love and prayers for you and sweet little Charlie for comfort and peace….
    Debbi

  12. I know your heart is breaking. We all love your pet family and are sad for you. Take comfort knowing you gave him a good life and he gave you so much joy.

  13. It’s so hard to deal with this. I lost my last three doggies one after the other, in 1999, 2001 and 2004. I haven’t had another domestic pet since, and won’t. I can’t deal with the loss.

  14. Brenda…..I am so sorry to hear this news. Keeping you, Charlie and Ivy in my thoughts and prayers.

  15. Somebody once asked me.. when I had Toby,fox terrier, and PussCat. This was 21 years ago, but I remember,”What is the hardest thing for you owning two pets?? One answer only…”Saying Goodby”. My love, prayers, and Hope are being sent your way. Hugs from WI.

  16. I’m so sorry Brenda. I’ve been there as I know you have before as well as most in your community. But it doesn’t make it any easier. I will be thinking of you and sending prayers and hugs.

  17. Love and prayers for you and Charlie. He is so lucky to have you as his Mom!

  18. I’m so sorry… sending love and hope to you and your furbaby.

  19. Oh Brenda – I am so sorry about Charlie. I hope your wonderful doctor can help him so that he feels well again. I had a kitty girl with this, it is so hard. Sending you all good thoughts,
    Mary

  21. So sorry Brenda, this is what Dexter has had done in the last 3 days. He does seem better today .
    He has eaten more today but who knows what tomorrow will bring when the anti nausea pill has worn off,
    We feel so helpless at times like this.

    1. I know. We just got back from having his fluids injected. The vet is always behind and it’s SO hot outside. He said we’d give him fluids through at least Sunday. I’m just following his advice on this.

  22. I am sorry to hear that Charlie is having some serious problems. I am keeping you both in my prayers.

  25. I am so sorry to hear this about Charlie. Our Xena had this very thing and it was so difficult to see her declining. Hubby and I gave her subcutaneous fluids/rehydration (Small needle just under skin to administer a bag of fluid) at home but it only bought us a week or so. We decided we didn’t want to put her thru that anymore so we let her go. There’s no right or wrong approach to how to handle things at that stage and you and little Charlie are in our prayers. You gave him an amazing life and he loves you very much. ((Hugs))

    1. I am holding you both in my prayers. Love him, hold him, and remember he loves you and knows you are doing your best for him.

  26. I’m praying for you and Charlie at this most difficult time. We humans know the end result will be much harder for us than for them. He will leave you peacefully as my girl Sasha, a beautiful Border Collie rescue, did after 17 years as my faithful and brilliant companion. Right before the end I told her to wait for me until I get there and I sleep well knowing she will come running to me whenever that happens. It gives me hope and I pray it does you too.

  27. I am so sorry Brenda. No one could have done more to help Charlie be comfortable and well!! It is odd it is the same thing as Abi had!! GOD be with you in all of this!!

  28. Brenda,
    Charlie has had a loving and wonderful life with you. I am so sorry that he is so ill and I know how sad you must be. My prayers are with you.

  29. I am so sorry to hear Charlie’s diagnosis! I am praying the fluids will work and he will be with you for a few more years! Prayers for both you and Charlie!

  31. Brenda I am so sorry. I know your heart is breaking. Give Charlie a kiss for me. Hugs to you!

  33. Sending prayers and love for you and Charlie. Take comfort in knowing that you have been the best Mom Charlie could have ever hoped for.

  34. This is the time when we are so very grateful for the talent, knowledge and kindness of a very good and trusted vet. I’m keeping you, Charlie and Ivy in my thoughts.

  35. God has blessed you with many wonderful pets. You have cared for them with great love. But it may be time to let go. It may seem an unbearable thought but you love him so much. Don’t let him suffer. My mother once told me when i was a young child and my puppy was very sick, “It is time to show Laddie how very much you love him. We must send him to heaven to play with all the angel’s puppies.“ Those words gave me great comfort as a child. Now, as an adult, I truly understand how much love it takes to let go of someone when its time.

  36. Oh Brenda I am so sorry to hear this. I hate it when this time comes. He has been such a love for you and you are the best dog mom. Keeping you and Charlie in my thoughts.

  39. My heart breaks for you Brenda.
    Prayers for Charlie & you & Ivy.
    Be in the moment & rest!!

  40. When my dog Maci started having multiple issues, and I began to question whether I was doing the right things for her, my mom said to me don’t let her suffer. Now, almost three years after I put her down, I know I let her linger too long because I just didn’t want to see her go. Everyone must make their own decision. Hugs to you and Charlie.

  41. Charlie is such a sweet little boy. I am glad you will be giving him the fluids to help him. I am sending you both positive thoughts. You both are surrounded by people who love you.
    Linda, Ella, and Simon

  42. Sending you and Charlie healing thoughts and tons of love. I hope you know how many of your blog friends are holding you in our hearts right now.

  43. Brenda, you are such a good Mom to Charlie. My heart aches for you both. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

  45. Oh Brenda,
    my heart aches for you and Charlie! I lost my Brittany spaniel in 2018. We adopted him at just over 6 weeks old and we had him for a few weeks short of his 16th birthday. I was devastated for a very long time. I know the pain and dread you are feeling. I am praying for you and Charlie.
    God Bless you both.
    Susan

  48. Brenda, there are no words except I am sorry and I am praying for the two of you. Charlie is so blessed to have you for a mother, you have done everything to give him a wonderful life and you have, most importantly you have loved him and he knows it. Continue to love him for however long you have with him, God willing it will be a long time. Thank you for sharing bother Charlie, Abi and Ivy with us, your family is our family and we feel your pain too. Sending you a hug my friend.

  49. I’m so sorry, Brenda. My Clementine has kidney disease and one of the things they test her for is her uremia level, too. It’s so heartbreaking. Sending you and Charlie lots of love and hugs.

  51. that beautiful little face. I love seeing him.
    and my heart is with you and Charlie. and even Ivy too.
    you’re a FAMILY. thank you for keeping us posted. we care.
    sending you love. and…
    I believe in miracles. I know he’s old. but maybe this will work.
    Dr Poteet is so wonderful. perhaps Charlie’s dehydration just got the best of him. it takes a while to come back. my prayers are with you. always.

  53. I’m so sorry about Charlie. I know how much it hurts to see your babies hurt.I hope the fluids help.

  54. I’m so sorry to hear this,Brenda.Unfortunately, the time does come when we have to love them enough to let them go peacefully.
    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers this weekend.

  55. Dear Friend: My thoughts and prayers are with you and Charlie. What a lucky dog Charlie is to have such a caring and loving mom. As long as you are near him he will be comforted. I am here if you need to talk.

  56. I understand. 💔 Difficult to say the least. Everyone knows, including your precious pup, that whatever decisions you need to make will be made out of love. I will be praying.

  57. I’m so sorry Brenda. I know how hard this is. It’s the hardest part of being a pet parent.
    I had to put down our sweet 16 year old Roxy a few weeks ago due to advanced cancer. I did the in-home euthanasia and as far as it could be, it was a wonderful experience and I felt good knowing she was in her own home and own bed with all the other pets and me with her when she crossed over.

    1. We did the same thing with our 14 year old Golden when the time came. Having it done home in her own bed made it better for her for sure. Not anxious at all and we stayed with her.

    1. Brenda,
      I know how very upset you must be over this news, and I am so sorry. You have given Charlie the best of everything and just continue to love him as you always have, and enjoy all the time you have together.
      You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

      1. Dr. Protest sounds like a great vet. Praying Charlie feels better from the fluids and meds. Charlie is your boy and you’re doing a wonderful job taking care of him. Just listen to your vet and take care. Love that Charlie Boy and prayers for both of you.

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