The kidneys are an amazing organ. They consist of millions of tiny units and can function up to the point where tissue is destroyed in about two-thirds of them. Because of this, donating a kidney to someone doesn’t cause any harm to their own body. If your dog has chronic renal failure, this indicates extensive long-term damage to the kidneys. We’ll do everything in our power to spot kidney failure early. This opens up more possibilities and will undoubtedly improve our ability to keep your dog healthy for as long as possible. The following details will assist you in comprehending how this disease manifests itself, how it is identified, and most importantly, how it is treated.
Helping a dog to maintain good hydration habits
Owners: Ensure that your dogs always have access to plenty of fresh, clean water.
Vets: Provide fluid replacement treatment if necessary.
Owners: gradually reduce the amount of salt in your dog’s diet.
Veterinarians: Write prescriptions, regularly check blood pressure, and assist with diet planning.
Owners: Watch out for foods like bones, dairy, and fish that contain excessive amounts of phosphates in your dog’s diet.
Veterinarians: If dietary restrictions are ineffective, check phosphate levels and recommend phosphate binders.
Most pet owners associate kidney (renal) disease with chronic renal failure, a common degenerative condition that affects older pets (mostly cats) and causes the kidneys to gradually lose function over time. However, the term “kidney disease” is used much more broadly to refer to any of the numerous conditions that can harm kidney cells or affect the kidneys.
The kidneys are crucial for your pet’s health because they filter the blood of waste, control electrolytes and blood pressure, and produce hormones that are necessary for calcium metabolism and the production of red blood cells. A pet may experience vomiting, appetite loss, frequent urination, back or abdominal pain, among other symptoms, when the kidneys are harmed by an infection, poisoning, or other event. Kidney disease without treatment results in kidney failure and death. Depending on the cause of the kidney disease, treatments can include everything from special diets to antibiotics to surgery.
Contrary to popular belief, kidney failure doesn’t always mean that the kidneys completely stop producing urine. In fact, increased urine production (not decreased) is frequently one of the key clinical signs associated with kidney failure because the kidneys can no longer concentrate urine. Not until the very last stages of kidney failure does urine production completely stop.
Depending on the underlying cause and the patient’s general health, there are various treatments for kidney disease. For instance, surgery might be suggested as the best course of action for a pet with kidney stones. Serious kidney disease or kidney failure in pets may require hospitalization and intensive care to recover. In other instances, outpatient administration of antibiotics, fluids, and other medications is effective. Even special diets and nutritional supplements are available to help some animals with kidney disease.
CBC and chemistry profile: These examinations are frequently carried out in tandem as part of a wellness check or as part of the initial blood workup when a pet is ill. These exams give a general overview of several organ systems in your pet, including the kidneys. The CBC (complete blood count) displays the quantity of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells, which are all necessary to transport oxygen to the body’s tissues. Red blood cells are produced by the kidneys, so if a pet has kidney disease (especially chronic kidney failure), the number of these cells may be decreased. If an infection is present, the white blood cell count might also be abnormal. If there is a problem with the kidneys, such as kidney disease or kidney failure, several kidney values in the chemistry profile may change.
Can a dog recover from renal failure?
Acute and chronic kidney failure differ significantly in a few key ways. While many cases of acute kidney failure can be reversed with prompt and aggressive veterinary care, chronic kidney failure can only be managed in this way.
Note: The tips offered in this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be veterinary advice. Please schedule a consultation with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s condition.
FAQ
How does a dog with kidney disease feel?
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 can I comfort my dog with kidney disease?
Offer fresh food at each feeding. Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Chronic kidney failure can make dogs unable to eat at times. Warming food to just below body temperature and attempting hand feeding for the first few days of a new diet may be beneficial for them.
How long will a dog with kidney failure live?
The best time to begin some treatments for a pet with chronic kidney disease is when it is in a particular stage of the condition. Dogs in Stage 1 have a median survival time of more than 400 days, followed by Stages 2 and 3 with median survival times of 200 to 400 days and 110 to 200 days, respectively.
What are the symptoms of end stage kidney failure in dogs?
In the early stages, excessive thirst and a large amount of urine are signs of kidney failure. Lethargy, a lack of appetite, and vomiting are some of the later signs of acute kidney failure. When a pet has severe kidney failure, the amount of urine may actually decrease or stop entirely.