Canine Renal Insufficiency: Causes Treatment and Prevention

Canine Renal Insufficiency: Causes Treatment and Prevention

Comments by Dr. Becker:

Kidney failure occurs when a dog's kidneys are no longer able to remove waste and concentrate urine. Animal bodies produce toxins throughout the day, every day, and toxins circulate in the kidneys to be dissolved in water, filtered and excreted through the urine.

A healthy kidney produces very concentrated urine, which means that a lot of toxins can be tolerated and excreted with a small amount of water.

In contrast, a kidney with problems (kidney failure) needs more and more water to excrete the same amount of toxins. A dog with kidney failure will drink larger amounts of water until at the end he simply can not drink enough and the levels of toxins in his blood begin to rise.

There are two types of renal failure: acute and chronic.

Acute kidney failure (ARF) occurs suddenly and may be caused by:

Ingestion of a poison as an antifreeze, a medicine intended for humans, or the Easter Lily plant
An acute bacterial infection
Dehydration, usually because the dog does not have easy access to drinking water
Decreased blood flow in the kidneys - for example, a situation that may occur during a surgical procedure, or as a result of sunstroke, or because of heart disease
Urinary obstruction
Chronic Kidney Failure (CRF) is a slower process and develops for months or even years. It is more common in older dogs.

Acute renal failure can be reversed in some cases, in others it can become chronic. Unfortunately, most cases of chronic kidney disease are irreversible.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure

When kidney failure is acute, symptoms appear quickly and are often severe. The first three to appear are:

Vomiting
Complete loss of appetite
Tagged lethargy
Other symptoms you may notice:

Tension on urination and decreased urine output
Disorientation
Physical weakness, loss of coordination
IRA is a very serious, life threatening situation and requires quick action if you want to save your dog's life.

No Time to Lose If Your Pet Suffers from Acute Renal Failure

If you notice any of the above symptoms, or if you know or suspect that your puppy has ingested a poison or is suffering from the effects of heat or dehydration, call your veterinarian or animal emergency clinic immediately and be prepared to transport it .

If the diagnosis is ARI, your pet will be hospitalized for intensive treatment. If you survive the initial crisis, and unfortunately many puppies do not, your chances of full recovery by kidney function will depend on organ damage, underlying cause of the condition and treatment you receive.

The goal of treating acute renal failure is to provide supportive care while the kidneys are recovering. It can take from several days to several weeks to determine if your dog will recover from the IRA, and at what time.

Urine production is a very important indicator for recovery. If a puppy continues to have low production or no urine as the treatment progresses, unfortunately, it means that the prognosis was very poor.

If conservative treatment is not improving a dog's health, there may be other options, such as dialysis or organ transplantation. Decisions about whether to go 'beyond' will depend on the availability of such resources locally, and even more importantly, how the owner feels about more aggressive forms of treatment.

Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRF)

Chronic kidney failure is one of the most common diseases seen in older dogs, on par with arthritis and cancer.

Unfortunately, when most dogs show signs of kidney disease, most of the irreplaceable tissue needed for good kidney function has already been destroyed.

Many pet owners mistakenly believe that while their dog is urinating a lot - often more than they urinated during their younger years - their kidneys continue to function well. But it is quite the opposite.

A dog with developing kidney disease will feel the need to drink and urinate more, in an effort to keep his body free from waste - a job that his kidneys once did with much less effort. This cycle of excessive drinking and urination will work for a while, but in the end, no amount of water will be sufficient for that function.

The moment your pet begins to show other obvious signs of illness, for example, lack of appetite, weight loss or low energy level, it means that it has produced significant irreversible kidney damage.

Other symptoms of CRF, which, unfortunately, are also symptoms of many other diseases are:

Decrease or absence of urine
Urinating at night
Blood in the urine
Vomiting and / or diarrhea
Bent posture; Reluctant to move
Poor condition of the coat
Chronic kidney disease can also cause:

Mouth ulcers and bad breath from the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream
Dehydration
High blood pressure, which can result in changes in the retina of the eyes
Anemia as a result of decreased production of red blood cells
Kidneys smaller than normal size, enlarged and / or painful
Fluid retention in the extremities and abdomen
Treatment Options

If the IRC in your puppy is caused by a factor other than the damaged kidneys - for example, a disease that decreases blood flow to the kidneys or a blockage of the urinary tract - it may be possible to reverse the problem in the kidneys by treating Appropriately the underlying cause. That is why it is important for your veterinarian to determine the source of the IRC.

If the disease is the result of irreversible damage to renal tissue, in many cases, renal function stabilizes completely for weeks or even months. And as the disease progresses and kidney function continues to deteriorate, your pet's symptoms can be minimized with supportive treatment.

Fluid therapy is a basic concept of treatment for dogs with kidney failure, especially to avoid dehydration due to the large amount of water that is not absorbed by the body.

Providing subcutaneous fluid (under the skin) may be necessary, and many pet owners can do this at home after some instruction by their veterinarian. Often potassium is added to the animal's fluid or feed to protect against muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances as a result of low electrolyte levels. In some cases, intravenous fluids may also be required.

Your dog should have access throughout the day to fresh, clean water. For example raising water overnight, will not solve your pet's urge to urinate in the middle of the night and could trigger a real health crisis.

You will need to carefully monitor the amount of food and water your pet consumes each day. If consumption decreases, additional fluids should be given to prevent dehydration. You should also weigh your pet at least weekly to ensure that you are consuming enough calories to maintain your weight and proper hydration.

The food you give your dog with IRC is also of vital importance for disease control and general well-being. A reduced amount of high quality protein and high moisture content are essential, but phosphorus consumption should be restricted. Since phosphorus is found primarily in high protein food sources, it is easy to identify when you need expert advice on how to feed your pet better.

Your holistic / holistic veterinarian is your best resource for advice on proper nutrition depending on the condition of your pet, and also the type of supplements, medications if necessary, and other therapies that will help maintain the health and quality of your pet. Life of your dog.

Prevention of Renal Insufficiency

Not all causes of canine kidney failure are known or understood, nor can all cases of ARI or CRI be prevented. However, there are a number of things within your control that you can employ to promote the health and longevity of optimal kidney function for your beautiful puppy.

• Many situations of acute kidney failure can be prevented by keeping dogs away from toxic substances such as antifreeze, heavy metals, rat poison and other pesticides, household medicines, and some foods and plants.

• Any dog ​​with a bacterial infection, urinary obstruction or other diseases that can compromise renal function should receive the appropriate treatment, and the sooner the better.

• Be sure to never mistreat or beat your dog and limit it to go out freely as this will decrease traumas in your kidneys that could lead to kidney failure.

• Limit the use of medications, vaccines, and surgical procedures throughout your life as this will reduce the amount of toxins that your liver and kidneys need to process. Renal insufficiency in older dogs is usually the result of worn out organs. The less stress your kidneys have on your pet, the longer they will function effectively.

• Feed it on a balanced diet, depending on the species rather than giving you commercial pet food as this food will provide your pet's body with the essential nutrition it needs for the health of all organs and systems of the body, including the kidneys. Highly processed low quality pet food - in particular, dry croquettes, which lack the quality moisture and protein that pets need - is linked to many of the degenerative diseases in today's pets.

• Make note of even small changes in your pet's behavior, appetite, thirst, and energy level. Do not assume that excess thirst and urine is normal. Rely on your instinct if you tell him to schedule an appointment with your holistic veterinarian to discuss your dog's health.

In any degenerative condition there is an opportunity - while your pet is in the "gray zone" between health and illness - to reverse, stop or even slow down the gray area and dangerous disease.

• Perform regular home health screenings and make sure your puppy visits at least once and preferably twice to your holistic or integral veterinarian each year. This is the best way to be aware of health problems and identify the problems that arise in your pet.