About Renal Failure in Dogs
Renal, or kidney, failure can develop gradually as a product of the aging process (chronic renal failure) or occur suddenly as the result of external factors such as antifreeze poisoning, dehydration, heat stroke, shock and heart failure (acute renal failure). The dog's owner needs to be aware of the signs because particularly in the case of acute renal failure, immediate treatment is crucial to the dog's survival.
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Signs
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Kidneys have an amazing capacity to compensate for tissue loss and generally do not send out any distress signals until less than one-third of the tissue is still healthy. Illness will develop if the kidneys fail past this point. Early signs of renal failure include increased thirst, increased urination with a higher quantity of pale urine, urinary incontinence, loss of energy and appetite and prolonged periods of nausea and vomiting. Signs particularly related to acute renal failure include dehydration, pain in the kidney area and little or no urination.
Acute Renal Failure
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Acute (sudden onset) renal failure develops because of one of several factors: dehydration, shock, congestive heart failure, antifreeze poisoning, infection, heat stroke or renal blood clots. One tablespoon of antifreeze can cause kidneys to fail. Immediate veterinary treatment is critical to your dog's survival from acute renal failure regardless of the cause; renal failure resulting from antifreeze poisoning can be reversed by dialysis or kidney transplant if you obtain treatment immediately after ingestion.
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Chronic Renal Failure
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Chronic renal failure develops over years and manifests physical signs only after 70 percent to 75 percent of the kidneys have failed. Underlying causes of the disease include diabetes, a kidney defect, cancer or another immune system disease, heart disease, parasitic or fungal infection, kidney cysts or stones or kidney dysplasia (non-genetic kidney defect). This form of renal disease progresses through four stages: Stage 1, in which blood toxins have not yet reached dangerous levels; Stage 2, in which toxins are present in high levels without manifesting any visible signs; Stage 3, in which your dog begins exhibiting signs of the disease; and Stage 4, in which the disease is more advanced and your dog is exhibiting pronounced signs.
Diagnosis
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Blood tests and urinalysis are used to diagnose canine renal failure by determining first whether renal failure is present, then how far the disease has progressed. These tests measure urine consistency, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels. BUN and creatinine, both nitrogenous components of urine, are indicators of renal function.
Treatment
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The purpose of renal failure treatment is to slow the progression of the disease and support the remaining portion of functional kidney tissue. A reduction in emotional and physical stressors in your dog's food and environment, such as the addition of a new animal to the family, food additives and preservatives, insecticides, cigarette smoke or other household pollutants, is critical to supporting your dog's kidneys. As the disease progresses, your dog will begin exhibiting signs of blood poisoning (low energy, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite and bad breath) and will need daily fluid injections to support its circulatory system. Proper diet is also crucial to management of kidney disease. A diet containing a minimal amount of protein reduces the load of metabolic waste that your dog's kidneys will have to process, as most of this waste comes from excess protein, phosphorus and sodium. Daily supplementation with vitamins A, B and C also supports to kidneys.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tavallai
