lost by buddy bruno to kidney disease

bruno

Hello everyone , this photo is when he was a puppy sad news i lost my Bruno to kidney failure at the age of 8 years old and 11 months after a 2 year battle for which the most he was not bad even having a creatinine level over 5 and doing ok, the last 6 months of daily fluids , meds , but finally to much, and having a tough time with the loss, my question is i love bull terriers and would like to get another after the grieving, but i am worried about this disease , and going through this again, i have learned a lot , and thinking about a raw diet in the future and maybe cutting back on vaccines, and what ever i can do , also checking the parents, my beloved Bruno still has his father and grandmother alive, i am guessing this horrible disease possibly comes from mothers side, just looking for any help.
Heart broken in Rhode island
thank you
Frank

Djammy

Very sorry to hear about your loss. It is tough having to let them go - no matter the age.
We owned a suffering Bull Terrier for years - our last girl Fancy. She was such a sweetheart, but her suffering from allergies broke my heart. Just like you we wanted another one soon after she had left us, because the gap she had left hurt even more than having to watch her suffer. But just like you I was so scared of the health problems we could be facing - again. When it comes to allergies it seems kind of "easier" to keep things on track, because there is a whole lot you can do to support the immune system, feed good food etc. I have learned so much from the experience with our sweet Fancy. I wish I had known all of it much earlier.
Kidney disease sadly is a problem within the breed and it can be hereditary. There will never be any guarantee that your next pal will never have any issues. But choosing the next pup from a reputable breeder, who does health testing with the dogs he is mating - such as Steve, the owner of this forum, does - enhances your chances of getting a healthy pup drastically in my opinion. Proper selection is key when it comes to hereditary issues.
But, even if your next pup will never have any kidney issues, there can be other issues coming up. Eventually you never know what boils inside. There's just no way to give a 100% guarantee for a healthy pup.
Nevertheless, even from the worst experience there will remain something good after all.
The illness of your last dog has taught you a ton of things about the breed and that will help you in the future.
If you chose from the right breeder, I am sure that you will at least have a great new start with a healthy and happy puppy. And you will have lots of other things to worry about than sickness during that stage. I hope that you will take the step once you feel ready. Because I doubt that you will regret it after reading your story. No matter how things may or may not develop in the future. Nothing can substitute the affection of a Bull Terrier.

JParanee

My deepest condolences

Words can never make your loss feel any better but know you are not alone and even though you will never forget or be able to replace him you can love again and also be loved ..... sorry for your loss

bruno

Thank you so much for your support, you are so right about learning , my bruno also had bad allergy's and other minor issues, during bruno's illness i said no more dogs, but i am reconsidering , thinking about all the good times i think a bully belongs in my home, i will contact Steve
Thank you
Frank