Hey gang. Wanted to give everyone the latest update on Gunner.

I went over to UGA to pick up Gunner yesterday and bring him home. His kidney values/levels had improved enough (and plateaued) to the point where he was ready for discharge.

When they brought him in to see me, he literally RAN through the door to me. I didn't expect that at all. He was so excited to see me. What a great feeling!

I brought him home and he had a great sleep last night. He was worn out! I have all of his exercises for him and he's very good about doing them. And when I take him outside, he's very good about wanting to walk around more. So far so good!

I have to say my experience at the UGA Vet School has been amazing. Their bedside manner has been incredible. So caring and empathetic. And I get at least two calls per day from them with updates on Gunner. Every time I go to see him, I am surrounded by doctors and students. If you're ever down this way, you should check it out: http://vet.uga.edu/vmc/. It's nicer than any hospital I've ever seen.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and well wishes.

-Jason

Hey there. I haven't been on here in a bit and wanted to give the folks who responded to this thread an update. Unfortunately, Gunner is not doing well. I'm afraid we will lose his battle this week.

This has been agonizing. As you know, Gunner had kidney issues post-surgery. They could never be sure why, but they suspected it was the NSAIDs combined with the anesthesia. In any case, he just hasn't been the same since the surgery. Obviously losing a leg is a big deal. But, I feel like he had recovered from that really well. He was running. Going up and down steps with ease. Honestly, that part of it seemed like a non-issue. The kidney issues have been, by far, the biggest challenge.

We have given him a 1000ml bag of fluid every day since he was diagnosed with the acute kidney issue (for well over a month). He has also been on a multitude of meds: Cerenia, Gabapentin, Mirtazapine and a few others. He has generally lost most of his appetite. I have offered anything/everything I could think of in order to get him to eat. Some days he would eat a bowl of food or something we offered him. Others, he wouldn't eat anything. Before his surgery he was 92 lbs. Today he is 62 lbs... and declining.

This weekend it became obvious he was going downhill quickly. He peed on one of the rugs, which he has never done. We take him out frequently. He also became semi-depressed. He wasn't really engaged and didn't run around outside. He also started shaking a lot. And when he went outside he would sometimes just stop and stand there. Almost as if he didn't understand where he was. He wouldn't even eat a pill pocket (which he LOVES).

We took him to our vet this morning and they suggested that "it is his time." We could hospitalize him for the third time or we could make him comfortable and end this on ours/his terms. As I mentioned, Gunner has always been a super happy, optimistic guy. This isn't him. And I don't know what more we can do for him. The docs have said this is likely the way the rest of his life will go. They can't reasonably control his kidneys and keep them at a good level. Seemingly his numbers increase by the day.

So, I have advised them to give him intravenous fluids and Cerenia. And we will spend the next 24-48 hours with him at home showering him with love. We will likely end his suffering on Wednesday. I know this is for the best, but it doesn't make it any easier.

I'm grateful to have a group of folks to share this with. I know you all can empathize better than anyone else. And I appreciate all of the helpful comments and positive thoughts. Dogs lives are far too short. But our lives were SO MUCH RICHER for the nearly 12 years that Gunner has been a part of our family. He brought countless smiles to us over the years. He will always be a part of our family. I'm glad my girls got to know him. I just wish more folks had gotten to know my sweet boy.

-jason