Kidney failure in dogs is a severe condition that can adversely affect your canine companion’s quality of life, especially if it is chronic. Dogs are just like humans when it comes to kidney failure; the organs are no longer capable of filtering toxins from their bodies. Toxins that remain in the body, specifically the urinary tract, can cause other problems to arise, leading to other severe illnesses and, unfortunately, death.
Dogs can suffer from two types of kidney failure: chronic and acute. Chronic kidney failure takes a longer time to develop and cannot be reversed. However, acute kidney failure can happen suddenly and without warning; thankfully, it is reversible. Signs of kidney failure in dogs, depending on which one, may not appear for months or even years. The acute form of the disease may disappear on its own when the problem is removed. On the other hand, the chronic condition will require additional and continual medical intervention. If not treated promptly, acute kidney failure in dogs has the potential to be fatal.
What causes kidney failure in dogs? There are a variety of causes of both the chronic and acute forms of this disease. One of the most common is the ingestion of toxic substances, although there are other reasons. Health conditions such as cancer and genetic abnormalities also play a role.
Try to look for early signs of kidney failure in dogs, such as a loss of appetite or a lack of urination. Both signs can be symptoms of other illnesses as well; that’s why early detection and veterinarian intervention can help diagnose and treat the condition, including any other underlying causes. Your dog will benefit from your quick actions with a long healthy life.
Prevention is an essential factor when it comes to kidney failure in dogs. Do not wait for the disease to reach a point where the only option is medical intervention. It means that you must make sure your dog has fresh water, proper nutrition, plenty of exercise, and all the other essentials needed to live a long, happy life. Unfortunately, you cannot prevent chronic kidney failure; you can at least try to help your dog live longer by getting the right treatment during the early stages of the disease.
All dog owners should treat their canine companions as their children by taking them for regular checkups at the vet. Do not wait for your dog to take sick before scheduling an appointment. Though acute kidney failure is not usually fatal and can correct itself, it is still essential to take all the required steps to prevent it. As with all illnesses, it is easier to prevent than to treat. Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle will ensure that your canine companion live a great life.
When prevention fails, you will have to do whatever is necessary to undo the damage the disease has caused the kidney and stop the spread of further damage.
Causes of Kidney Failure in Dogs
There are quite a few reasons why your dog may develop kidney failure. The causes of kidney failure in dogs are distinct and will differ depending upon whether the illness is acute or chronic. Understanding the difference between the two types of kidney failure is extremely important for each pet owner. It is important to remember that acute kidney failure can appear suddenly without warning and can go away without medical treatment. Sudden onset acute kidney failure can usually be ascribed to one or more of the following conditions:
- Shock
- Congestive heart failure
- Heatstroke
- Blood clots in one or both kidneys
- Various infections
- Dehydration
- Poisoning – licking minute amounts of antifreeze from a street puddle can cause this condition
Although many of the above conditions can have a hazardous effect on the kidneys’ ability to function correctly and filter the toxins from the dog’s body, the effects are reversible. Thankfully, the acute type does not always require a vet trip, as the chronic version does. Naturally, removing what is causing the condition will allow the kidney to heal itself without medical intervention and the possibility of adverse effects. However, if there is a blockage causing the issue, medical intervention will be needed.
On the other hand, chronic kidney failure in dogs is a lot more severe and will always need medical attention. Also, the damage done to the kidneys is irreversible. How your dog responds to the treatment will determine how long he lives with the condition. The following are common causes of chronic kidney failure in dogs:
- Cancer
- Compromised immune system
- Defect at birth
- Kidney dysplasia
- Infestation of parasites such as Dioctophyme renale, which is a large worn that infests the kidneys
It is not our intent to undermine the significance of acute kidney failure in dogs. Still, the seriousness and irreversible nature of chronic kidney failure make it an issue of more significant concern for veterinarians and dog owners alike. Knowing that reversing damage due to chronic kidney failure is impossible, dog owners must understand the various factors involved, such as how it will affect your dog’s daily health and how it happens.
