How can you tell if a dog has kidney problems?

• Drinking more or less water.
• Change in volume and frequency of urination.
• Loss of interest in playing or interacting.
• Decreased appetite.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Blood in urine.
• Signs of dental disease like pale gums, smelly breath, mouth ulcers.

Although it’s not very common, your dog’s chances of developing kidney disease as he ages can increase.

But you and your veterinarian can treat chronic kidney disease so that your dog can live for years after the diagnosis, just like kidney disease in cats. What you should know about the causes, signs, and remedies for canine kidney disease is provided below.

What are common causes of kidney failure in dogs?

Kidney failure may result from any condition that affects the kidneys, including:

Congenital disease includes hereditary conditions and underlying illnesses, including cysts and agenesis (having one or both kidneys missing at birth).

Dental Disease: The accumulation of bacteria on teeth and gums can lead to advanced dental disease. The bacteria gathers here, then enters the bloodstream to attack various organs, harming the kidneys, liver, and heart irreparably.

Drinking or swimming in contaminated water poses a risk because the body becomes more vulnerable to bacterial infections like leptospirosis. This may lead to the death of renal cells and inflamed kidneys.

Toxicosis: If the kidneys are poisoned, this may result in damaged kidney cells. This may occur if your dog ingests drugs or poisons, such as foods or substances that are toxic to them.

Geriatric Degeneration: As your dog ages, kidney cells may deteriorate and die, which can cause kidney disease.

Types of Kidney Failure in Dogs

Acute and chronic kidney failure are the two main types of kidney failure that affect dogs.

Chronic Renal Failure – Chronic kidney failure is characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over a period of weeks, months or years. Chronic kidney failure in dogs is typically caused by degeneration of the kidneys associated with aging. Although most dog are unable to fully recover from chronic kidney failure, this condition can often be successfully managed, allowing pets to enjoy a good quality of life for a number of months or years.

Acute Renal Failure – Acute kidney failure is characterized by a suddenly decrease in kidney function over a period of hours or days. This form of kidney failure is typically caused by exposure to toxins or an infection. If diagnosed and treated early, acute kidney failure can often be cured.

What is involved in the first phase of treatment?

High intravenous fluid doses are administered during the initial stage in order to clear the kidneys and bloodstream. Diuresis, a flushing procedure, restores some function to mildly damaged kidney cells by removing toxic metabolites and fostering a more favorable environment for recovery.

The kidneys may be able to sufficiently meet the body’s needs for filtration and waste removal if enough healthy kidney cells are still present. Fluid therapy includes replacement of various electrolytes, especially potassium. Proper nutrition and medication to control vomiting and diarrhea, if present, are additional critical elements of the initial course of treatment. After starting this stage of treatment, your dog frequently starts to feel better quickly.

FAQ

How do dogs act when their kidneys are failing?

Clinical indicators of more severe kidney failure include depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and extremely bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.

How do you check a dog’s kidney function?

A urinalysis can be used to identify kidney disease early on. The urine of a dog or cat is examined during a urinalysis to determine the condition of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, as well as other organs like the liver and pancreas.

How do vets check for kidney failure in dogs?

Following a physical examination of your pet, a veterinarian will perform blood tests and a urinalysis to diagnose kidney disease. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels will typically be higher on a blood chemistry panel if there is kidney disease.