End Stage of Kidney Failure in Dogs

Chronic kidney disease affects up to 10 percent of senior dogs. End-stage kidney failure, or stage IV, is characterized by a specific set of criteria set forth by a panel of veterinary nephrologists. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition that culminates in end-stage kidney failure.

Signs

Easily identifiable symptoms are often not apparent in stages I and II of kidney failure. However, many maladies are seen in terminal stage IV kidney failure. Those commonly observed include anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coat, small renal size, anemia and hyperkalemia.

Diet

Owners of dogs who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease are advised to put their dogs on a special renal diet. Fundamentals of the diet include a reduction in protein, restriction of phosphorous and the addition of omega-3 fatty acids. Dogs in end-stage kidney failure benefit from this diet the most, as it directly improves their quality of life.

Medical Treatment

Clinical signs of renal failure, commonly referred to as uremia, can be managed by a variety of medical treatments. Intravenous fluids are often administered to combat dehydration, feeding tubes are utilized for maintaining caloric intake, and metoclopramide is used to reduce vomiting.

Alternative Therapies

Hemodialysis and kidney transplants are less common, highly expensive alternatives for dogs suffering from end-stage kidney failure. The percentage of successful kidney transplants in dogs is much lower than in humans.

Prognosis

Maintaining quality of life is the key component of treating canine end-stage kidney failure. As the kidneys continue to deteriorate, characterizing signs of the disease become more pronounced. Determining at what point the quality of life has deteriorated too much becomes crucial in deciding whether to continue administering supportive medication and diet.

References

• Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference: Management of Chronic Renal Failure
• Dvm360.com: Staging and Management of Canine Chronic Kidney Disease
• The Merck Veterinary Manual: Chronic Kidney Disease

Resources

• Brown University: Renal Replacement Therapies