Kidney (Renal) Failure In Dogs: Everything You Need To Know About

Kidney Failure In Dogs. Sounds terrible, right? The kidneys have many purposes in both humans and dogs. Their primary activity is to eliminate waste products from the bloodstream, manage the specific vital minerals such as potassium and sodium, maintain water levels, and produce urine.

When the kidneys of your furry friends are not accurately functioning, it can influence every other network in the body. Kidney failures are a common difficulty of aged dogs, impacting approximately 10% of dogs in their lifetimes. Several factors may affect various age groups and have varied outcomes. 

In this dog wellness guide, you will find everything you need to know about kidney diseases in dogs. So, do not wait too much just read on!

What Is Kidney (Renal) Failure In Dogs?

Kidney failure which is also known as Renal failure is one of the common diseases that are found in dogs. Kidney failure can be a result of any other long time disease as well such as diarrhea, urine problems or upset stomach problems.

Kidney diseases are often a severe health issue in dogs that require critical medical attention. Other general terms for kidney disorders comprise renal failure, kidney failure, and renal deficiency. Therefore, it is beneficial for pet parents to comprehend the various forms of kidney disorders and the indications that imply kidney failure in their dogs.

Types Of Kidney Failure In Dogs

Before we discuss more on treating renal failure in dogs, you should know what disease we’re are actually fighting with. There are broadly 2 types of kidney failure in dogs:

1. Acute Kidney Failure

This is the most common kidney disease which is found in dogs. As the name suggests, acute kidney failure is a sudden decline in the functioning of the dog kidneys. This can even happen in a few hours or days. Several Renal toxins and infections lead to acute kidney failure in dogs.

2. Chronic Kidney Failure

Chronic is something that is more gradual and takes a long time to happen. The same is the case with chronic kidney failure in dogs. When the kidneys lose their functionality gradually (months or years), it leads to chronic renal failure. There is no actual lifespan of a dog’s kidney; however, some of the breeds have weak kidney functioning, which deteriorates more quickly.

The major difference between the two is that the acute kidney disease is reversible and can be treated easily. On the other hand, chronic kidney failure is only manageable and have less chances to get treated permanently.

Signs and Symptoms Of Kidney Failure In Dogs

It’s not hard to identify the signs of kidney problems in dogs. If you’re seeing any below drastic changes in your dog’s health, then there are chances your beloved pet is suffering with kidney diseases:

• Intensified Thirst
• Increased Tendency For Urination
• Boredom
• Loss of Hunger
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss

As kidney disorder progresses, more toxins may accumulate in the bloodstream. Moreover, the above symptoms tend to aggravate. Also, your canine may experience the following symptoms:

• Excessive Dehydration
• High Blood Pressure
• Development Of Gastric Ulcers
• Reduced Urine Output
• Blood Spots in Urine
• Incapability to Regulate Body Temperature
• Anemia
• Seizures

When canines have severe kidney failure, these indications can worsen quickly over days. In the case of chronic kidney disorders, symptoms deliberately get terrible for months to years, depending on the reaction of your little canine companion to the medication.

Causes Of Kidney Failure In Dogs

There are several reasons for kidney failures in dogs. This obviously varies breeds per breeds, however majority of the times the causes are similar. Let us check out some of the significant ones:

1. Destruction To The Kidney Filters/Glomerular Disease

The glomerulus of the kidney, a kidney filtration mechanism, is generally involved in dog kidney illness. Over time, the inflammation in the glomerulus of the kidney harms the enveloping kidney tissues. This develops persistent kidney infection that makes your canine feel sick.

2. Infection Of Kidney Tissues Or Pyelonephritis

Sickness of kidney tissues with bacteria or fungal organisms causes acute kidney failures in dogs. So, to cure pyelonephritis, it needs to destroy the bacteria that can inflict harmful inflammation. This way, it should curb the course of any chronic kidney disorder or help with healing from acute kidney damage.

3. Kidney Stones Or Nephrolithiasis

You must have heard abut stones in kidneys of humans but what about the dogs? Our dogs also go through Nephroliths (kidney stones) situation that also induce pain in dogs. Kidney stones generally spring due to chronic bacterial disease, genetics, or disorders that modify blood or urine traits.

4. Kidney Blockage Or Ureteral Obstruction With Hydronephrosis

Kidney stones can grind and transmit through urine into the ureter, the narrow tube that attaches each kidney to the urinary bladder. They are possibly uncomfortable during their transit, but the bigger problem is the outcome to the kidney if they become lodged there, resulting in a partial or complete blockage. 

In this situation, urine cannot exit the kidney effortlessly, and it backs up, resulting in the kidneys bulging. With enough difficulty, the kidneys enlarge (hydronephrosis) and become injured. If both ureters obstruct at the same period, it can confirm fatally.

5. Damage To Kidney Tubules Or Tubulointerstitial Disease

Inflammation and injury in the kidney tubules and tissues generally lead to dogs’ chronic kidney failure. In many situations, there is no known reason for it. Thus, there is no possibility for a particular medication. However, biopsies examinations in dogs are not usually advisable.

6. Bacterial Infections Or Leptospirosis

Bacterial infection with leptospires results in kidney disorder and other limb failures in canines and humans. Generally, the consequences of leptospirosis are relatively abrupt and result in acute kidney damage. Sometimes, the disease might also induce persistent kidney infection.

7. Toxins

Various household commodities can harm the kidneys of dogs. Food items such as grapes and raisins; particular commercial dog treat products; common OTC drugs like aspirin or other nonsteroidal (NSAIDs); or prescribed pills can all cause kidney damage to dogs. In addition, venoms, pesticides, and heavy metals are fewer familiar poisons for dogs. 

As we know, canines always like to lick things, eat things, roll in things or bathe in the stuff, but that can put them at choking hazard. To reduce the threat of kidney damage in your furry friend, allow restricting their free-roaming manners and refrain from providing any drugs without communicating it first with your vet.

If you suspect your pup has been infected, reach your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian right away. You may also contact dog emergency cells.

8. Cancer

Luckily, kidney cancer is not relatively common in canines. Still, medication options for kidney cancer are limited. Solitary tumors impacting only one kidney can be terminated by surgery with a good outcome if the cancer is innocuous or has not circulated to other parts of the body. 

Your canine only requires one good conditioned kidney to function normally. If it is extra widespread, as usually arises with lymphosarcoma, surgery will not be a possibility for a cure. Microscopic examination of a biopsy is for the accurate diagnosis of cancer and proper medication recommendations.

9. Hereditary Factors

There are hereditary connections to several kidney disorders for various purebred canines. Some young pups fail to acquire normal functioning kidneys with several fluid-filled cysts. These canines exhibit more symptoms of kidney failures than youngsters.

Related: Blood In Dog Urine – Causes And Treatment

Diagnosis of Kidney Failures In Dogs

It is significant to learn that chronic kidney disease symptoms commonly do not arise until the disorder has advanced to a particular point. Thus, this is why it is so crucial to carry your canine to the vet for routine checkups and follow your vet’s advice for regular lab work. An inspection of your dog allows vets to inspect slight differences over the years. Overall, kidney diseases may be discovered timely through routine checkups, and medication can start before your pup even gets sick.

If you see indications of kidney disorder or any other clues of ailment, you must take your canine to the vet right away. Firstly, the veterinarian will discuss your pup and conduct a physical analysis. Second, your veterinarian will likely propose lab tests. Generally recommended laboratory tests comprise the following:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC is a test that helps analyze red blood cells and white blood cells, noticing indications of anemia, infection, and extra anomalies in dogs.

2. Blood Chemistry Panel

The Blood Chemistry Panel assesses elements in the blood that demonstrate how adequately the limbs function. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine are the kidney integrity for good health.

3. Blood Electrolytes

The blood electrolytes estimate the percentages of electrolytes in the blood to deduce if they are proportional. However, it is one of the primary chores of the kidneys.

4. Urinalysis

It examines what is getting out from the body through the urine, measures urine concentration and protein, and watches for indications of infection or other problems.

5. Imaging Tests

Imaging tests such as Ultrasound, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan and MR are helpful ways used by doctors to diagnose the renal failure in dogs. There are other imaging tests as well to fully diagnose the disease.

Once a diagnosis of kidney disorder has been made, additional examinations may be beneficial to deduce how serious the kidney disorder has advanced. Blood pressure measurement is critical because hypertension is common in canines with kidney failure. Your vet may also suggest abdominal radiographs (x-rays) and abdominal ultrasounds.

Treatment Of Kidney Failure In Dogs

Proper medication may begin once your vet has detailed information about your canine’s health. Thus, it depends on the stringency of the disorder and will alter throughout your canine’s senses. Also, taking attention to conduct lab examinations must be repeated frequently to assess the transformations in the harshness of the kidney disorder.

1. Fluid Therapy

Fluid medication is the cornerstone of kidney disorder therapy. Intravenous (IV) fluid diuresis is essential to deal with acute renal failure. IV fluids are distributed through an IV catheter at a sufficient proportion to flush the network of toxins. 

Supervision occurs to prevent a fluid rate huge enough to affect the puppy’s health. Canines with kidney infections may require to be on IV diuresis for many days, during which they must remain in the clinic.

2. Proper Hydration

The pet parent must give canines with persistent kidney disorders subcutaneous fluids. It includes setting a needle under the loose skin of your dog and between the shoulder blades and instilling a proportion of fluid. However, it may require to be done every day or only a few durations a week depending on your canine’s status of kidney disorder. 

It is simple to provide your pup with subcutaneous fluids at home. Your vet will demonstrate to you how and give you all the supplies you require. Providing fluids to your canine will maintain proper hydration and additional fluid to support the kidneys.

3. Therapeutic Diets

Therapeutic diets regulate chronic kidney disorders. It manages the levels of particular ingredients in the diet that can lower the difficulty of the kidneys. Therapeutic kidney diets are always low in protein, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium. Palatability is a common problem with these diets, but various commercial brands are available to attempt.

4. Medications And Supplements

Drugs and supplements are for a variety of reasons. Phosphate binders consumed with food can reduce the amount of phosphorus the body intakes, decreasing the difficulty on the kidneys. Antacids lessen the excess acid generated in the stomach. 

Also, antiemetics aids in relieving nausea and vomiting often induced by kidney disorders and enhancing appetite. ACE inhibitors regulate protein loss through the kidney. Extra blood pressure medication may be essential. Specific vitamins and supplements may be advised based on your canine’s demands and your vet’s opinion.

5. Dialysis

Dialysis is often not an obvious way due to its cost and shortage. This medication implicates the use of a device that filters the blood. Dialysis is commonly only given at large specialty clinics. Pups with acute kidney failure may aid most from dialysis if functional.

6. Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant in dogs is often rare. However, this is an expensive, high-risk method. Only specific veterinary surgeons undertake that process.

Effective Home Remedies for Kidney Failure Dogs

Home remedies for dealing with canine kidney failure are more beneficial for pet parents. Some cures can work to prevent kidney disorders, like herbal remedies. Thus, it helps fix the symptoms of kidney failure rather than the ailment.

They alleviate vomiting and gastrointestinal trouble related to acute kidney failure and diseases. Also, it fortifies kidney tissue and hinders kidney degeneration. Still, you should take instructions from your veterinarian before using the natural home remedies.

Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation Preventing Kidney Failure In Dogs

Here are some vitamins and minerals that can help prevent kidney failure in dogs:

• Fish Oil
• Vitamin B
• Iron
• Pet-friendly Multivitamins
• Homeopathic Remedies
• Fresh Parsley
• Kali Chloricum
• Arsenicum Album
• Silicea
• Low-protein diet
• Aluminum Hydroxide

Prevention Of Kidney Failure In Dogs

Kidney failures in dogs often need to be considered with most care. So, how can we prevent renal failures in our furry friends? Here is the answer:

• Assure that your canine sips a lot of water if they have been physically active
• Constrain access to toxins
• Regular veterinary examinations and lab work, particularly in aged or high-risk canines
• Do not breed dogs with genetic factors of kidney failure
• Keep an eye on your dog’s diet and feed them with proper vitamin and minerals

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Final Thoughts

We hope this comprehensive guide on kidney failure in dogs has provided some information on the facts of renal failure in dogs. If you catch any of the indications listed above, then you should take your canine to visit a vet as soon as possible.

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Disclaimer: This post is completely informational and educational in nature. Its purpose is to enrich one’s knowledge related to dog health issues and diseases. However, in case of any serious emergency or complications, immediately contact a professional, veterinarian, or expert.