When we talk about kidney failure in dogs we refer to a disease that affects one or both kidneys and causes alterations in their functioning. These can manifest acutely, that is, suddenly, or chronically, when the renal system progressively degenerates.
In this article on our site we are going to comment on the causes of this insufficiency, the symptoms it produces and that we can observe in our dog and the most appropriate veterinary treatment to maintain a good quality of life as much as possible. Keep reading and discover how to know if your dog has kidney failure
Kidney disease in dogs
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and thus eliminate waste substances through urine. When a failure occurs in this system, which can happen for multiple reasons, the body will try to compensate, so that we will not see symptoms until the damage is already very advanced. Thus, kidney disease in dogs can manifest itself acutely or chronically The most common symptoms are polydipsia (increased water intake) and polyuria (increased of micturition), they will appear in both cases. The difference is that in the acute onset the symptoms will appear suddenly, causing a serious clinical picture. In the chronic, the symptoms persist for months in which the kidneys deteriorate until they can no longer take it, which affects the entire body and ends up causing the death of the animal.
Kidney failure in dogs older than 10 years has a considerable incidence, while kidney failure occurs more rarely in dogs youths. In elderly dogs, it is possible that the symptom we observe is that they begin to urinate at home. Behind this incontinence may be an increase in urine output because the kidney is not working well. Kidney disease in these older dogs is a consequence of age. Sometimes it is a heart problem that ends up affecting the kidneys. It is important that dogs, from approximately 7 years of age, go to the veterinarian at least once a year to perform a complete check-up in which it will be possible to detect these diseases early.
If kidney disease occurs in young dogs it may be the effect of some other pathology, which could also occur at any age. For example, kidney failure in dogs with leishmania occurs because this parasitic disease damages the kidneys. There are also other possible causes such as infection, such as leptospirosis, poisoning, urinary obstruction or heat stroke. Other times kidney damage occurs as a side effect of some drugs. In these cases, the primary cause of the damage must be treated.
Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs
Kidney failure in dogs usually manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Polyuria: as we have said, that our dog urinates more is one of the most common symptoms of kidney disease, but it can also occur the case that the dog stops urinating (anuria).
- Poldipsia: to compensate for the elimination of liquids, the dog drinks more water.
- Vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes even with bleeding.
- Blindness.
- Dehydration.
- Weight loss and, in general, poor appearance, poor body condition and muscle weakness.
- Anorexy.
- Ulcers in the oral cavity and bad smell.
- There may also be ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen) and edema(fluid in extremities).
- Shock and, in later stages, coma.
In short, all these symptoms are caused by the effects that the malfunction of the renal system has on the entire body. Any of these signs should make us go to our vet.
Kidney disease in dogs can be diagnosed with urine and blood tests In the former, the value of the density of urine, because a sick animal will not concentrate it. In the blood test, parameters that allow knowing kidney function, such as creatinine and urea, are taken into account. It also establishes whether or not there is anemia and important parameters such as phosphorus or albumin are assessed. Currently, the SDMA has also begun to be measured, a biomarker that makes it possible to determine whether or not there is kidney failure before creatinine, which is also affected by other parameters such as muscle mass. Early diagnosis is essential when establishing treatment. It is also convenient to measure blood pressure and abdominal x-rays or ultrasound can be done.
Treatment of kidney failure in dogs
In cases of kidney failure in dogs of acute presentation intensive veterinary treatment is essential, which will usually include admission and fluid therapy, in addition to drugs that stabilize the animal and control symptoms.
In the chronic cases, treatment of kidney disease in dogs usually includes the following points:
- Diet: on the market we find feed and cans specially formulated for the care of the renal system. It is important that the diet is nutritious and has high-quality protein. In addition, if the food is moist, we increase the intake of water, which is very necessary in these animals. And if you prefer a natural diet, you can consult the article "Homemade diet for kidney failure in dogs".
- Hydration: we must ensure that our dog drinks properly. The veterinarian must assess the need to administer serum, either orally, subcutaneously or intravenously. To promote the comfort of the dog we must give it more opportunities to urinate if the frequency of urination has increased.
- Drugs to control symptoms: these are those that can be used to treat secondary symptoms of the disease, for example, those that are given to control vomiting.
- Maintenance drugs: these are prescribed to promote the animal's quality of life. On some there is scientific evidence that proves that they are effective in prolonging the life of sick dogs, such as ACEI.
- Veterinary monitoring: it is advisable to repeat the tests two or more times a year, depending on the evolution of the disease. In addition, an intensive veterinary control allows to treat the symptoms that arise as soon as they appear, which will result in a better quality of life.
Is kidney failure in dogs curable?
Kidney failure in dogs causes damage to one or both kidneys. In acute cases the dog may heal, although non-recoverable injuries may have occurred. Depending on their extension, they will have more or less consequences for the future life of the dog. The chronic cases are incurable and progressive, so that the prescribed treatment will only be able to control the symptoms and try to maintain the dog's quality of life as long as may be possible. This is going to be the objective of the treatments that we have discussed.
Life expectancy of a dog with kidney failure
Veterinarians classify kidney failure in dogs into several stages based on its severity. The milder the phase in which our dog is, the greater, in general, its life expectancy will be, since they correspond to the initial moments of the disease, where early intervention favors an increase in life expectancy. This classification distinguishes four stages, being I the mildest and IV the most severe. In the last two there will be more symptoms that complicate the picture and, therefore, worsen the prognosis. In these cases, the life expectancy of the dog with kidney failure can be only a few months. Thus, when deciding on treatments, it is necessary to take into account not only the quantity of life, but also, and preferably, its quality.
