Canine Kidney Failure Symptom"Canine kidney failure symptom are varied including reduced urination, weight loss, pale gums, mouth ulcers, dehydration and others which are described below. Treatment depends on the severity and whether a dog has an acute (sudden) or chronic (present for months or years) form of the disease. Acute forms can be treated. Chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, but can be slowed down through dietary change, increased water consumption and even dialysis. Herbal supplements can provide additional support. The goal is to reduce the amount of work the kidneys have to perform." 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 (present for months or years). Chronic canine kidney failure is also referred to as canine chronic renal insufficiency and canine chronic renal failure (CRF)cani Acute kidney failure has a sudden onset and can be caused by:
Chronic kidney failure develops over time and can be caused by:
Canine Kidney Failure SymptomSymptoms of acute kidney failure (sudden) include:* Dehydration * Pain around the kidney area * Little or no urine output Canine chronic kidney diease (CKD) worsens over time. It does not have a cure. 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 (from low potassium levels in the blood and anemia) * Depression * Vomiting * Pain around the kidney area * Dark tongue * Breath smells like ammonia * Pale Gums (from anemia) There are also canine kidney failure symptoms that are not as common including:
Canine Kidney Failure DiagnosisSymptoms alone are not enough to diagnosis canine chronic kidney disease. To diagnosis canine kidney failure symptoms, your vet will do blood work and a urinalysis. Enlargement can indicate dog kidney cancer. He or she will also do x-rays and perhaps an ultrasound to look for kidney stones and to check the size of the kidneys.Rarely, a vet will decide to do a kidney biopsy. It can be helpful in young dogs and in breeds that are known to get congenital (inherited) canine kidney disease. Canine Kidney Failure Symptom Treatment
Source: Washington State University To 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, phosphorus, minerals, and salt. The protein that is provided needs to be higher quality such as eggs and beef. Higher quality protein produces less waste for the kidneys to process. Examples include Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal MP and Hill's Prescription Diet k/d. Natural medicine does offer several herbs that can have a positive effect on the kidneys. Herbs such as burdock, dandelion and cleaver all have properties which help regulate blood sugar and help kidney function. PetAlive Kidney Support is made specifically for this purpose. Review this and other options with your veterinarian so that they can track progress. Have a Dog Kidney Disease Question For Our Editors or A Story to Tell About This Topic?
Do you have a dog kidney related question for our editors or a helpful story to share? Please include information such as age, sex, breed, medical history, symptoms, diet, changes in behavior and medications. SourcesHow to Treat Canine Kidney DiseaseDzilvelis, Sharon From Canine Kidney Failure Symptom to More on Canine Kidney Disease To Dog Health Guide Home |
Can't Find It? Search Our Dog Health Library