Kidney disease dog: : Causes, Symptoms, Prevent & Treatment

Kidney disease (renal disease) in dogs can be caused by underlying health conditions that affect the kidneys and related organs. This article will describe some of the common signs and symptoms of kidney disease in dogs.

Kidney disease can be caused by many conditions that affect the kidneys and other organs. In healthy dogs, the kidneys eliminate toxins, regulate hydration, maintain normal electrolyte balance and release hormones to produce red blood cells. In dogs with kidney disease, the kidneys no longer function as efficiently as they should.

Types of kidney disease in dogs

There are two major types of kidney disease in dogs, chronic and acute.

Chronic kidney disease - Chronic kidney disease is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over weeks, months or years. Chronic kidney disease in dogs is usually caused by the degeneration of the kidneys associated with aging. Although most dogs do not fully recover from chronic kidney disease, the condition can usually be successfully managed, allowing the pet to enjoy a good quality of life for months or years.

Acute kidney disease - Acute kidney disease is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function over a period of hours or days. This form of kidney failure is usually caused by exposure to toxins or infection. If diagnosed and treated early, acute kidney disease can usually be cured.

Causes of kidney disease in dogs

Kidney disease can result from any disease affecting the kidneys, including:

• Congenital disorders - underlying diseases and genetic disorders, such as being born without one or both kidneys, and cysts
• Bacterial infections - Bacterial infections such as leptospirosis can attack your dog's system, causing kidney inflammation and kidney cell death.
• Poisoning - Kidney damage in dogs can be caused by accidental ingestion of poisons or toxins.
• Dental disease - If bacteria build up on your dog's teeth and gums, it can lead to advanced dental disease. These bacteria can then enter your pet's bloodstream and organs, potentially causing damage to your dog's kidneys, heart and liver.
• Age-related degeneration - As your dog ages, cells break down and die. This happens throughout the body, including in the kidneys where it can lead to kidney disease and renal disorders.

Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs

If your dog has kidney disease, you may notice one or more of the following signs in him.

• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale gums
• Loss of balance or falling down
• Chemical odors on the breath
• Significant loss of appetite
• Significant increase or decrease in water use
• Increased or decreased urine output
• Mouth ulcers
• Blood in the urine
• Lethargy
• Seizures

If your dog is showing signs of kidney disease, it is time to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. In order to get a good outcome, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible.

Treating Canine Kidney Disease

As with many other conditions, treatment will depend on your dog's overall health and the underlying cause of the kidney problem.
If your pet has acute kidney disease, emergency and intensive treatment is required, usually in intensive care at your animal hospital. That said, if caught early, milder cases of acute kidney disease can be treated with fluids, antibiotics and medications without the need for hospitalization. In some cases, dialysis may be recommended for the treatment of acute kidney disease in dogs.

When treating chronic kidney disease, the primary focus is to slow the progression of the disease and improve your dog's quality of life. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease, such as nausea, fluid imbalance and fluctuating blood pressure, can be treated with medication and/or changes to your dog's regular diet.

Many dogs treated for chronic kidney disease continue to enjoy a good quality of life for many years. To help manage your dog's condition and improve your dog's quality of life, specific nutrients, nutritional supplements or therapeutic diets may be recommended.

Your veterinarian will also perform diagnostic blood and urine tests to detect the presence of any abnormalities. In addition to blood and urine tests, kidney disease or failure can often be diagnosed based on a physical examination. Other tests may also be performed to examine the underlying cause of kidney disease and/or to discover what stage of kidney disease your dog is experiencing.

The severity of the symptoms will determine the appropriate treatment, which may include intravenous fluids, but if the disease is very severe, your dog may not respond to treatment. Aggressive treatment may include hospitalization for fluid therapy, dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Remember, chronic kidney disease cannot be cured. The prognosis is related to the severity of the disease. As your dog goes through the various stages of kidney disease, the survival time may become shorter.

These treatments are designed to reduce the amount of work the kidneys need to do, replacing substances such as potassium and reducing accumulated waste products. Your dog's initial response to conservative treatments may be relatively slow - it may take weeks or months to see progress. Your veterinarian may also recommend dietary changes to improve your pet's quality of life and possibly limit the progression of the disease, thereby extending life expectancy.

Preventing Kidney Disease in Dogs

Acute kidney disease often results when dogs consume toxins, contaminated food, or food they should not consume (such as grapes or chocolate). To help prevent your dog from developing acute kidney disease, pay special attention to products in your home that may be toxic. Please keep toxic substances such as antifreeze, human medications and potentially harmful foods out of your dog's reach.

Chronic kidney disease is usually age-related and genetically determined, making it more difficult to prevent. That said, regular checkups of your pet can help increase the chances of catching symptoms early so that treatment can begin before the condition becomes more serious.
Note: The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.