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Canine Kidney Failure Symptom"Canine kidney failure symptom are varied including reduced urination, weight loss and several others. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease." The kidneys maintain the correct balance of water and electrolytes in the blood and filter waste products out of the blood for removal from the body. When the kidneys don’t function properly, toxins build up in the body. There are two classifications of canine kidney failure. There is acute kidney failure and there is chronic kidney failure. Acute kidney failure has a sudden onset and can be caused by: * Disease - leptospirosis (a kind of bacteria), heart disease, or fungal infections * Poisons - antifreeze or rat poison * Trauma- any type of trauma that causes the blood pressure to fall dramatically, such as shock and blood loss from being hit by a car * Certain medications Chronic kidney failure develops over time and can be caused by: * Infections * Heart disease * Diabetes * Congenital deformities of the kidneys * Polycystic kidney disease- cysts in the kidneys Canine Kidney Failure SymptomSymptoms of acute kidney failure include:* Dehydration * Pain around the kidney area * Little or no urine output Symptoms of chronic kidney failure include: * Increased thirst- drinking A LOT more than usual * Increased urination- your housebroken dog may begin to have “accidents” in the house * Loss of appetite * Weight loss * Weakness * Depression * Vomiting * Pain around the kidney area * Dark tongue * Breath smells like ammonia Canine Kidney Failure DiagnosisTo diagnosis canine kidney failure symptom, your vet will do blood work and a urinalysis. He or she will also do x-rays and perhaps an ultrasound to look for kidney stones. Rarely, a vet will decide to do a kidney biopsy.Canine Kidney Failure Symptom TreatmentTo treat acute kidney failure, the underlying cause of the kidney failure must be addressed first. Then IV fluids are given to help remove the toxins from the body. In some cases, dialysis is needed. In peritoneal dialysis, fluid is injected into the abdomen and later drawn back out to help remove the toxins from the body. In hemodialysis, a machine is used to filter the toxins from the blood stream, effectively doing the work of the kidneys. Hemodialysis is very costly and many veterinary facilities are not equipped to provide this treatment. There may or may not be lasting damage to the kidneys.There is no cure for chronic kidney failure. The goal of treatment is to stop or slow the progression of the disease. Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water at all times. Subcutaneous or IV fluids may be given to help remove toxins from the body. Steroids or blood transfusions may be given to treat anemia. Sodium bicarbonate may be given to help regulate pH levels in the blood. You can also feed your dog a commercial dog food designed specifically for dogs with kidney disease. These foods have reduced protein, minerals, and salt. SourcesHow to Treat Canine Kidney DiseaseDzilvelis, Sharon www.thepetcenter.com From Canine Kidney Failure Symptom to More on Canine Kidney Disease To Dog Health Guide Home
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