What Purpose Do Kidneys Serve For Dogs
In fact, a dogs kidneys have essentially the same function as ours: detoxify the blood by filtering the waste produced by the body, maintain the balance of water and electrolytes, produce hormones, regulate blood pressure and vitamin D, and help create red blood cells.
The kidneys are therefore extremely important organs and a dog suffering from kidney failure would be faced with many health problems: its entire body would be affected.
Choose Complex Carbs Over Simple Carbs
Carbohydrates are your bodys main source of energy, and those that occur naturally in fresh foods are filled with fiber to support heart and gut health and keep your blood sugar levels steady. However, simple carbs such as added sugars in desserts, sweetened beverages, and many packaged foods can spike blood sugar and increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
As part of an overall healthy diet, you should limit sweets and foods with added sugars , says Maruschak. Healthier carbohydrate choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils.
If you have diabetes and are on insulin, you may need to be even more careful about your carbohydrate intake. It is likely that people will need to count carbohydrates at meal times so they can dose their insulin correctly, says Maruschak.
Can Chronic Kidney Disease Be Prevented
As mentioned above, diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease. For this reason, two parameters must be controlled to prevent kidney disease. Leading a healthy life can prevent these two factors or help keep them at healthy levels.
However, you can take healthy steps to keep your kidneys healthy. The recommendations we share below can help you lower your risk of chronic kidney disease and even the problems associated with it. Some of these recommendations are:
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What Are The Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is diagnosed by the eGFR and other factors, and is divided into five stages:
| Stage of Chronic Kidney Disease | eGFR ml/min/1.73 m |
| Stage 1: the eGFR shows normal kidney function but you are already known to have some kidney damage or disease. For example, you may have some protein or blood in your urine, an abnormality of your kidney, kidney inflammation, etc. | 90 or more |
| Stage 2: mildly reduced kidney function AND you are already known to have some kidney damage or disease. People with an eGFR of 60-89 without any known kidney damage or disease are not considered to have chronic kidney disease . | 60 to 89 |
| Stage 3: moderately reduced kidney function. | 45 to 59 |
| Stage 4: severely reduced kidney function. | 15 to 29 |
| Stage 5: very severely reduced kidney function. This is sometimes called end-stage kidney failure or established renal failure. | Less than 15 |
Note: it is normal for your eGFR to change slightly from one measurement to the next. In some cases these changes may actually be large enough to move you from one stage of chronic kidney disease to another and then back again. However, as long as your eGFR is not getting progressively worse, it is the average value that is most important.
Treating Kidney Failure In Dogs
While there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, symptoms can be minimized, and the diseases progression can be slowed down. Treatment depends on test results.
Maintaining hydration is extremely important in dogs with kidney failure. Dehydration occurs when the kidneys are in distress due to the amount of water that is passed out of the body. Along with providing your dog around-the-clock access to fresh drinking water, fluids may also need to be administered subcutaneously, a process that can be done at home. By rehydrating through fluids, you are essentially restarting the kidneys and aiding in the removal of toxic metabolites. Fluid therapy also includes the replacement of various electrolytes, especially potassium.
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What Is Kidney Dialysis
Because there is no cure for CKD, if you are in late-stage disease, you and your healthcare team must consider additional options. Complete kidney failure, left untreated, will result in death. Options for end stages of CKD include dialysis and kidney transplantation.
Dialysis is a procedure that uses machines to remove waste products from your body when your kidneys are no longer able to perform this function. There are two major types of dialysis.
Hemodialysis: With hemodialysis, your blood is circulated through a machine that removes waste products, excess water and excess salt. The blood is then returned to your body. Hemodialysis requires three to four hours, three times a week and is performed at a clinic, hospital or dialysis center.
Peritoneal dialysis: In peritoneal dialysis, a dialysis solution is run directly into your abdomen. The solution absorbs waste and then is removed via catheter. Fresh solution is added to continue the process of cleaning. You can perform this type of dialysis yourself. There are two types of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis , which involves a change in dialysis solution four times a day and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis . CCPD uses a machine to automatically fill, remove wastes, and refill the fluid during the nighttime.
Stage 3 Kidney Disease Life Expectancy
When diagnosed and managed early, stage 3 CKD has a longer life expectancy than more advanced stages of kidney disease. Estimates can vary based on age and lifestyle.
One such estimate says that the average life expectancy is 24 years in men who are 40, and 28 in women of the same age group.
Aside from overall life expectancy, its important to consider your risk of disease progression. One 10-year study of stage 3 CKD patients found that about half progressed to more advanced stages of kidney disease.
Its also possible to experience complications from CKD, such as cardiovascular disease, which can affect your overall life expectancy.
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What Tests Are Needed
Blood and urine tests are used to determine if kidney failure is present, and if it is, how severe it is. Other tests, such as x-rays, sonogram , and special blood tests are usually necessary to tell what caused the kidney failure. Sometimes a biopsy of the kidney is recommended. The cause of kidney failure is not always easily discernable.
Treatment of AKI depends on whats causing your illness and how severe it is.
You may need:
- to increase your intake of water and other fluids if youre dehydrated
- antibiotics if you have an infection
- to stop taking certain medicines
- a urinary catheter, a thin tube used to drain the bladder if theres a blockage
You may need to go to hospital for some treatments.
Most people with AKI make a full recovery, but some people go on to develop chronic kidney disease or long-term kidney failure as a result.
In severe cases, dialysis, where a machine filters the blood to rid the body of harmful waste, extra salt and water, may be needed.
Why Do I Get Nausea When I Have Kidney Failure
Kidney disease patients, especially for those with kidney failure, they are more likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. As these two discomforts will affect patients life quality largely, it is essential to know about the causes and treatments:
The normal range of GFR is 80 to 120 ml/min. In the third stage, GFR falls to 30~59 ml/min. Serum creatinine is 186-442umol/L, the normal range of which is 44 to 103 umol/L. Symptoms can be such as pain in lower back, increased urine at night, fatigue, and so on.
Nausea, like pain, is difficult to assess in veterinary practice, so identification of biomarkers for nausea would be very useful in helping show which cats with CKD might benefit from anti-nausea treatment.
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Kidney Disease And Cardiovascular Risks
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in people with chronic kidney disease. Compared to the general population, people with chronic kidney disease are two to three times more likely to have cardiovascular problems such as:
This increased risk is partly caused by factors common to both chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure. However, researchers are discovering that chronic kidney disease is, in itself, an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, and a history of cardiovascular disease is a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys regulate water and salts, remove certain wastes and make various hormones. Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in many ways, including:
How To Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease
Health & Wellness
Its important to know that its possible to live with kidney disease, and it doesnt always mean youll progress to end-stage kidney failure. Dr. Mariella Ortigosa-Goggins, medical director of the kidney and pancreas transplant program at the Miami Transplant Institute, talks to us about early detection and prevention.
Early DetectionEarly detection is crucial in maintaining and slowing down the progression of kidney disease. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure in the Black community. Someone can live many years without being aware that theyre diabetic or suffering from hypertension, and an early diagnosis can go a long way in maintaining a healthy functioning kidney and prevent end-stage kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease can be a silent disease, said Dr. Ortigosa-Goggins. The best way to detect early onset kidney disease is by visiting your primary doctor routinely. A blood and urine test can reveal how well your kidneys are functioning. Prevention is always the best medicine.
Healthy LifestyleMaintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can help avoid the progression of kidney disease and reduce your blood pressure. By exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods high in salt, its easier to maintain a good blood pressure, which will help with your kidneys.
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What Are The Specific Types Of Feline Kidney Disease
There are many types of kidney disease in cats. Some are congenital and some are developmental.
Your veterinarian will be able to tell you which type your cat has.
While I cant get into every specific type of renal disease, here are some types you may encounter.
- Renal agenesis is the failure of kidney formation: sometimes kidneys dont form at all.
- Renal dysplasia: means abnormal kidney development.
- If one or both kidneys are displaced, your cat may be diagnosed with renal ectopia.
- And then there is polycystic kidney disease which comes with the formation of cysts throughout the kidney tissue.
Kidneys are complex.
That means there are a lot of things that could go wrong.
Structural issues, blood vessel problems, responses to outside influences, all the way down to the cells that make up the kidneystheres so much to know about these small but important organs.
While listing all of the exact diseases and congenital problems are beyond the scope of this article, I found a comprehensive list right here.
This informative video can also help shed some light on kidney failure in cats:
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Diet Tips For Kidney Health
A kidney-friendly diet should limit sodium, cholesterol, and fat and instead focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats , says Maruschak. People who have already been diagnosed with CKD may also need to limit certain other nutrients, she adds.
Here are a few ways to tweak your diet to maintain kidney health.
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Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
Guidelines define chronic kidney disease as kidney damage or estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, for at least 3 months.
CKD is usually asymptomatic till stages IV and V. Increased urinary albumin excretion- the albuminuria is a marker of kidney damage. The classification and staging of CKD is based on the GFR and albuminuria.
CKD is a major concern for the aging population, as it is associated with age-related functional decline accelerated in metabolic syndrome.
Renal impairment can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and CKD is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Individuals with CKD are more likely to die from coronary artery disease than progress to end-stage renal disease .
Early detection, evaluation, and management can prevent/slow the progression- can prevent kidney damage and cardiovascular diseases.
The healthcare cost of CKD care is high particularly for dialysis, transplantation, and cardiovascular disease management.
Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease
Major non-modifiable risk factors include genetic make-up, older age, non-Caucasian ethnicity, low-birth weight, and family history of CKD or CVD. Metabolic syndromes such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia, and also the smoking has been identified as the leading modifiable risk factors for the development and progression of CKD.
Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease
Medical Management
What Is The Treatment For Acute Kidney Failure
Your treatment will depend on the cause of your acute kidney failure. The goal is to restore normal kidney function. Preventing fluids and wastes from building up in your body while your kidneys recover is important. In the majority of cases, a kidney specialist called a nephrologist makes an evaluation.
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How Can I Help Kidney Disease Solution
Prevent Progression Of Chronic Kidney Disease
This Kidney Disease Solution is an complete step-by-step guide designed to improve renal health as well as reverse the effects of kidney disease. It will teach you everything you must know about the kidney and how to naturally cure kidney disease.
The program provides a variety of cutting-edge holistic treatments that are based on the most recent findings in the field of naturopathic research. Because its an all-natural approach that targets the root cause of the issue. Through simple lifestyle changes, users can eliminate kidney disease completely.
This program comes with a variety of cookbooks and ebooks. The ebooks are focused on the changes to your lifestyle. They give specific advice on assessing your condition, interpreting the results of your test, and creating a personalized treatment and diet program for you.
The cookbooks meanwhile provide guidance regarding the diet that is most effective for your condition. Here, you will discover healthy herbal remedies including tea recipes, as well as more.
Other beneficial materials are meditation audiobooks, nutrition strategies, yoga video, as well as treatment tracking devices. The content is written in simple language, to ensure that everyone gets the most of it.
Does Everyone With Diabetes Develop Kidney Disease
Many people ask if being diagnosed with diabetes automatically means theyll struggle with kidney disease, and the answer is no. Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, long-term hyperglycemia and high blood pressure.
It is vital to see your doctor regularly and maintain an ongoing conversation about your health. The better youre able to keep your diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower your chance of getting kidney disease.
When you schedule a UACR screening, your doctor will check your blood pressure, your urine protein ratios and talk with you about lifestyle prevention steps.
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Relieving Symptoms And Problems Caused By Chronic Kidney Disease
If chronic kidney disease becomes severe you may need treatment to combat various problems caused by the poor kidney function. For example:
- Anaemia may develop which may need treatment with iron or erythropoietin – a hormone normally made by the kidneys.
- Abnormal levels of calcium or phosphate in the blood may need treatment.
- You may be advised about how much fluid to drink, and how much salt to take.
- Other dietary advice may be given which can help to control factors such as the level of calcium and potassium in your body.
If end-stage kidney failure develops, you are likely to need kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
People with stage 3 CKD or worse should be immunised against influenza each year, and have a one-off immunisation against pneumococcus. People with stage 4 CKD should be immunised against hepatitis B.
Make Healthy Food Choices
Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Eat healthy meals, and cut back on salt and added sugars. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. Try to have less than 10 percent of your daily calories come from added sugars.
Tips for making healthy food choices
- Cook with a mix of spices instead of salt.
- Choose veggie toppings such as spinach, broccoli, and peppers for your pizza.
- Try baking or broiling meat, chicken, and fish instead of frying.
- Serve foods without gravy or added fats.
- Try to choose foods with little or no added sugar.
- Gradually work your way down from whole milk to 2 percent milk until youre drinking and cooking with fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
- Eat foods made from whole grainssuch as whole wheat, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain cornevery day. Use whole-grain bread for toast and sandwiches substitute brown rice for white rice for home-cooked meals and when dining out.
- Read food labels. Choose foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt , and added sugars.
- Slow down at snack time. Eating a bag of low-fat popcorn takes longer than eating a slice of cake. Peel and eat an orange instead of drinking orange juice.
- Try keeping a written record of what you eat for a week. It can help you see when you tend to overeat or eat foods high in fat or calories.
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Causes Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the most common causes. However, other diseases can also damage the kidneys, such as:
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Kidney stones and infections.
- Certain drugs, such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and cancer treatments.
Chronic kidney disease leads to a buildup of fluid and waste substances in the body. For this reason, it affects most of the bodys functions.