How to Treat Kidney Disease in Dogs

Kidney failure can affect dogs of any age--and is one of the most common forms of death in older dogs--therefore it's very important to be aware of the symptoms to look for and the following ways to treat kidney disease--in order to prolong your dog's life and quality of life.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Be aware of the common symptoms of canine kidney disease. Your dog may exhibit some of these symptoms or all of them: excessive water consumption, frequent urination, dilute urine (very little color), vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or aversions to certain foods, lethargy, weakness and lack of coordination. In the later stages there may be little to no urine output.

2. Feed your dog with kidney disease a diet lower in protein, minerals and salt. There are various high-quality dog foods to choose from, but make sure to read and compare ingredients. Avoid grain-based lower quality foods. If feeding a homemade diet, avoid dairy products and organ meats.

3. Provide plenty of water for your dog at all times.

4. Take your dog to a veterinarian for periodic blood work and urinalysis, which is the only way to get an accurate assessment of your dog's kidney "numbers."

5. Give your dog a multivitamin supplement containing Vitamin C and B-complex to replace vitamins and minerals that have been depleted. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or what to look for. Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids in conjunction with Vitamin E have been shown to reduce kidney inflammation and may slow the progression of renal failure.

6. Check with your veterinarian about natural remedies to support the kidney and immune system. If your vet runs a traditional practice, he or she may be reluctant to recommend natural remedies. In this case, you might want to consult with a holistic vet.

Tips & Warnings

• Your veterinarian might suggest that you administer IV fluids to your dog to remove toxins.

• Your vet might prescribe a drug such as Epogen to treat the anemia associated with renal (kidney failure), which can result in improving the quality and length of your dog's life.

• The average age of kidney failure in dogs (otherwise known as Chronic Renal Failure or CRF) is 7 years.

• Although kidney disease affects all dog breeds, certain breeds are more prone than others including: Basengis, Beagles, Bull Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Chows, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Norwegian Elkhounds, Poodles, Rottweilers, Samoyeds, Schnauzers, Shar-Peis, Shih Tzus and Wheaten Terriers.

• Hill's Prescription Diet and other brands such as Royal Canin Waltham Veterinary Diet offer foods specifically formulated for dogs with renal disorders.

• Websites such as RXPETFOOD.com and animalhousemagazine.com (see links in Resources below) deliver prescription dog foods to your home. This is helpful if you aren't able to transport the food from your vet's office or you live in an area where the food isn't available. RXPETFOOD.com will require confirmation that the food was recommended by your veterinarian.

• If your dog exhibits any of the symptoms of kidney disease, seek veterinary attention ASAP.

• Excessive water intake, frequent urination and dilute urine might also be symptoms of a kidney infection, which will still require immediate veterinary attention.

Resources

• RXPETFOOD.com
• Animal House Magazine