Kidney Failure in Dogs

In a healthy dog, the kidneys have many different functions. They maintain the body's water balance, secrete hormones necessary for the production of red blood cells, remove toxins from the body, and play a role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance. When kidney failure occurs in a dog, the kidneys begin to fail to perform the functions necessary for maintaining health. Kidney diseases in dogs are considered diseases that can threaten general health, whose symptoms should be closely monitored, and for which it is recommended to consult a veterinarian without delay. Kidney failure in dogs can occur as a result of various problems and can be acute or chronic. In this article, you can find information about the causes and treatment of kidney failure in dogs. Acute Kidney Failure Causes in Dogs Acute kidney failure in dogs usually occurs as a result of exposure to toxins. Household cleaning products, chemicals, or the consumption of inedible foods can cause acute kidney failure. It is also possible for problems to arise due to urinary obstruction. Due to the obstruction, blood flow to the kidneys may decrease, and the decrease in the amount of oxygen reaching the kidneys can lead to infection in the kidneys. Severe dehydration, heatstroke, snake bites, and bacterial infections are also important risk factors for acute kidney failure in dogs. If rapid and effective treatment is not applied, the acute condition may become chronic due to increasing kidney damage.

Causes of Acute Renal Failure in Dogs

Acute renal failure in dogs usually occurs as a result of dogs being exposed to toxins. Household cleaning products, chemicals, or the consumption of inadvisable foods can cause acute kidney failure. Problems can also arise due to urinary obstruction. This obstruction can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, decreasing oxygen levels and leading to kidney infections. In dogs, severe dehydration, heatstroke, snake bites, and bacterial infections are also significant risk factors for acute kidney failure. Without prompt and effective treatment, the acute condition can become chronic due to increasing kidney damage. Treatment is somewhat complex.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs

Chronic kidney failure in dogs is a disease that is usually seen in older dogs and whose exact cause is quite difficult to determine. Unfortunately, it is not very easy to notice the early symptoms of chronic kidney failure.

One of the most common causes of chronic kidney failure is dental disease. When oral and dental care of dogs is neglected, bacteria accumulate on the teeth and move towards the digestive system when eating or drinking. Since dogs' kidneys have the function of filtering waste, the entry of bacteria into their system damages the functions of the kidneys over time.

It is possible to differentiate between the causes of acute and chronic kidney failure in dogs. However, in general, we can list the causes of kidney failure in dogs as follows.

• Aging: As dogs age, kidney cells begin to break down and die. This damages kidney function, resulting in kidney failure in dogs. The microscopic structural units of the kidneys are called nephrons. Young and healthy dogs have thousands of nephrons, but some of these nephrons are kept in reserve. As dogs age and their kidneys are damaged, some nephrons die, and the reserve ones begin to perform their functions. When there are no reserve nephrons left and the kidneys continue to be damaged, symptoms of chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, begin to appear in dogs.
• Congenital diseases: Abnormal development is known to result in kidney disease in dogs.
• Bacterial infections: Bacteria transmitted through drinking water or food can cause infections in dogs. Kidney cells can be damaged due to bacterial infections.
• Poisoning: As mentioned earlier, poisoning is one of the dangerous conditions that can result in kidney failure in dogs. Foods harmful to dogs, such as chocolate, and household cleaning chemicals can also cause poisoning. To minimize the possibility of poisoning, you can read our article titled "8 Foods You Should Always Keep Your Dogs Away From".

Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs

The type of kidney failure in dogs, how long the dog has had kidney failure, the underlying factor causing kidney failure, and the presence of different diseases such as underlying diabetes in addition to kidney failure can change the symptoms and their severity in dogs.

Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs include the following symptoms; Significant weight loss, vomiting, pale gums, loss of coordination, breath with a chemical odor, decreased appetite, increased or decreased water intake, increased or decreased urine output, mouth sores, blood in the urine, and weakness.

It is also known that there are some rarer but possible symptoms of chronic kidney failure in dogs. Sudden vision loss due to high blood pressure, bruising on the skin due to stomach bleeding, itching due to calcium and phosphorus accumulation, and bone fractures due to weakening of the bones can also occur in dogs due to kidney failure.

All the symptoms listed can vary according to the stages of kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure in dogs is divided into different stages depending on the levels of waste and protein in the blood. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, which is examined in 4 main stages, the more positive results can be obtained.

Treatment of Kidney Failure in Dogs

As with many other health problems, the treatment of kidney failure in dogs can vary depending on the dog's overall health and the problem causing the kidney failure. Acute kidney failure may require clinical care as it can lead to sudden and severe problems.

In chronic kidney failure, the goal is generally to slow the progression of the disease and improve the dog's quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for chronic kidney failure in dogs. Steps are taken to control possible nausea, dehydration, blood pressure changes, and other symptoms with medication and dietary changes. If kidney failure is diagnosed in dogs, dietary changes are of paramount importance, and veterinarians will determine the most appropriate feeding method for each dog.

After a diagnosis of kidney failure in dogs, it is critically important to follow the veterinarian's recommendations to ensure they live a quality life and feel better.