Is Chronic Kidney Disease Always Fatal in Dogs?
According to Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, chronic kidney disease in dogs is not always fatal, depending on what type of kidney disease the dog has. But treatment is expensive and not guaranteed to work.
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Classification
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Almost all canine chronic kidney diseases are treatable, if the owner is willing to pay. They are generally split into congenital diseases and infections.
Types
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Chronic diseases that can be treated include polycystic kidney disease (cysts on the kidney); renal dysplasia (malformation of the kidney); and protein-losing neuropathy (the dog begins excreting protein in the urine).
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Exception
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Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook states that chronic kidney disease as a complication from Lyme disease is almost always fatal.
Commonality
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Regardless of the type of chronic kidney disease a dog has, all are treated the same way--to prevent kidney failure. The dog is given a special diet, Vitamin B supplements, medication and, if necessary, dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Fun Fact
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Canine kidney donor dogs are selected from local animal shelters. PetEducation.com notes that owners who can afford to get a kidney transplant for their dog also adopt the donor dog.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Saber
