The kidneys are one of the important organs in your dog's and in a human being's body, too, that work to filter waste and toxins from the blood. Your dog's health can be affected when the kidneys are not sufficient and strong from conditions like chronic kidney disease. As kidney disease is progressive, it’s important to learn the usual and common symptoms so that you (pet parent) can be mindful of them. If kidney disease in dogs is detected early enough, treatment can slow progress and help improve your dog's health, and you can be able to save the life of your dog.
Understand the term Kidney Disease in Dogs.
When a dog's kidneys stop functioning as effectively as they should, kidney disease in dogs is sometimes referred to as renal or kidney insufficiency. The main job of the kidneys is to help clear toxins and excrete waste products from the blood and convert them to urine. The kidney works as a filter for the body that refines the waste products from the body in the form of urine, says the Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. If the kidneys aren’t able to work properly, these waste products can build up in the blood and the body, causing detrimental effects.
Reasons Behind Kidney Disease in Dogs
Kidney disease could be caused by a lot of things, including infection (such as with the bacteria that causes a disease called leptospirosis, a type of disease that occurs when there is an increase of bacteria in the body); It can occur due to trauma, genetics, drugs, toxins, cancer, mechanical problems (like kidney stones), and degenerative diseases (where the job and form of the affected body part get worse over time).
Anything that slows down the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as dehydration, heart attacks, or heatstrokes, can cause the kidneys to fail.
The Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs
The earliest symptoms of kidney disease in dogs are increased urination and, therefore, increased thirst as they become dehydrated all the time. Other symptoms don’t usually become obvious until about two-thirds of the kidney tissue is destroyed, and they lose the ability to develop new kidney tissue.
The kidney damage may have started months or even years before the pet parent notices. Because of this, it’s common for the signs of kidney disease in dogs to seem like they came out of the blue when, in fact, the kidneys have been struggling for a long period of time. Other signs of chronic kidney disease in dogs to watch for include
Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Blood in the urine
- Protein in the urine
- Bad breath
How Is Kidney Disease in Dogs Treated?
- Dialysis (a medical procedure that removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood) is far more common in humans than in dogs, although peritoneal (kidney) dialysis can be performed in some cases. On rare occasions, a surgical kidney transplant is possible in dogs.
- But Doctors specifies that, depending on the type and stage of kidney disease, the main treatments for CKD (chronic kidney disease) are diet changes and injecting fluids, either directly into the veins (intravenous) or under the skin (subcutaneous). The balancing and maintenance of electrolytes are extremely important in the management of kidney patients.
- Proper nutrition is needed, and there are various amounts of diets available and formulated for cats and dogs with kidney issues, some by prescription only. Your veterinarian doctors can help guide you to the most appropriate diet for your pet.
Conclusion
Keep an eye on your dog's behavior, and if you notice something mischievous, immediately consult the nearest doctor you trust for your dog. If your dog is affected by this disease, proper nutrition is needed, and there are various diets available and formulated for cats and dogs with kidney issues, some by prescription only.
It can only be effective when you know the actual stage of the kidney disease.
Keep your dog away from this kind of disease and nurture them properly with our superb products, which you can find on our website. Go and check out our newest range.
