Canine Kidney Treatment

Kidney failure can affect all breeds of dogs

Kidney disease may not be able to be cured, however, there are many things that you can do to help your dog live a happier and longer life. Your veterinarian is able to give you the best advice on what sort of treatment will give your dog the most benefit, depending on how much kidney function is lost and how soon it is diagnosed.

Kidney Disease

When a dog's kidneys begin to lose their function and the ability to remove toxins from the body, the dog may have acute or chronic renal (kidney) failure. Kidney disease is defined as having at least a 75 percent loss of normal kidney function.

Kidney disease exhibits various symptoms including loss of appetite, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and sometimes loss of bladder control. Some dogs may become lethargic and begin to vomit.

Once the dog has lost a majority of kidney function, he will not be able to get it back, however, there are many things that you can do to help extend his life expectancy and help him to live a more comfortable life.

Fluid Therapy

Re-hydrating the dog is an important factor in treating kidney failure, according to vetinfo.com.Your veterinarian may want to give your dog intravenous fluid therapy and monitor its urine to ensure that it is urinating properly and adequately.

You should make sure that clean water is readily available at home for your dog to drink.

Diet

For dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease, it should be fed a diet that is low in phosphorous, as this tends to slow the process of kidney failure. A diet low in protein can help to decrease the work that the kidneys will need to do, giving them less protein to process from the body. A low sodium diet is important for a dog with kidney failure as this will help prevent dehydration. Vetinfo.com recommends feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

Supplements

Some supplements may be beneficial when treating dogs with kidney disease. Omega-3 fatty acids supplements may be given, 300 mgs per every 10 pounds, divided into two servings throughout the day. Calcitrol can aid calcium absorption in your dog and can be effective in reducing failure of the kidneys, according to dog-health-guide.org. Other helpful supplements include vitamin E, vitamin C, Iron, and B-complex. Your veterinarian may prescribe other specific supplements for your dog depending on the severity of the disease.

Homeopathic Treatments

There are many homeopathic remedies that are believed to aid in treating kidney failure by helping decrease inflammation and regulate digestion. Some of these herbal ingredients include dandelion, burdock, cleavers, cinnamon bark and wild hydrangea.

Alternatives

Some dogs may be given anti-ulcer medication, along with subcutaneous fluids. When traditional therapies do not help the dog, dialysis may be needed and in rare cases, a kidney transplant may be necessary.

References

• Vet Info: Canine Kidney Failure Treatment
• Dog Health Guide: Canine Kidney Failure
• Vet Info: Elements of a Canine Diet for Kidney Disease

Resources

• Dog Healthy Guide: Diet For Canine Kidney Disease