Chronic kidney failure is not as common in dogs as it is in cats, but dog owners should still have a basic understanding of this condition so they know what can be done to help their pets in the unfortunate event that they do develop this serious disease.
"Chronic kidney failure is a progressive disease, but the speed with which a dog's condition will deteriorate is variable."
The kidneys play multiple roles in
the body. They are responsible for filtering waste products out
of the blood and for conserving water and returning it into the circulatory
system. They also help balance electrolyte levels, produce a hormone
that stimulates red blood cell production, and are a part of the system
that regulates blood pressure.
Chronic kidney failure occurs when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to perform these functions. This may come about because of the accumulated wear and tear on the kidneys that occurs over a long canine life, because of specific past events that resulted in significant kidney damage (e.g., ingestion of antifreeze containing ethylene glycol), because of abnormal kidney development, or some combination thereof.
Diagnosing Chronic Kidney Failure
The most common symptoms associated
with chronic kidney failure in dogs are:
- Dehydration
- Lethargy and depression
- Behavioral changes
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst and urination
- Weight loss and muscle wasting
- Vomiting (possibly containing
blood)
- Diarrhea (possibly dark
and tarry, indicating the presence of digested blood) or constipation
- Oral ulcers
- Bad breath
Some dogs may also develop respiratory difficulties, blindness, seizures, and abnormal bruising.
To definitively diagnose chronic kidney
failure and rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms,
a veterinarian will run routine panels of blood work and perform a urinalysis. Typical findings include dilute urine and increased levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the blood. In more advanced cases, dogs may also have anemia (a low red blood cell count) and high levels of phosphorous and low levels of potassium in their blood. Additional
testing may be necessary to reveal the underlying reason for an animal's
poor kidney function, but in many cases, the cause is never determined.
Treating Chronic Kidney Failure
Treatment for chronic kidney failure
can include fluid therapy and special diets that ease the work of the
kidneys. Possible treatment may also include nutritional supplements like Azodyl
and pet medications to treat high blood pressure, excessive gastric acid secretion (i.e. Cimetidine), anemia, and to increase potassium and decrease
phosphorous levels in the body. Patients are usually hospitalized until
they have recovered to the point where they can be sent home for their
owners to continue long-term maintenance therapy. Kidney transplants
may be an option for pets that meet specific criteria.
Chronic kidney failure is a progressive disease but the speed with which a dog's condition will deteriorate is variable. Some animals may live happily for many months or even years, while others do not survive their initial hospital stay. In the end, euthanasia is often required once a pet's quality of life has declined to an unacceptable level and he is no longer responding to treatment.
The above is provided for information purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any condition.
This information does not cover all possible variables, conditions, reactions, or risks relating to any topic, medication, or product and should not
be considered complete. Certain products or medications may have risks and you should always consult your local veterinarian concerning the treatment of
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