Canine Kidney Disease Explained
Kidney disease occurs when dogs when the kidneys become damaged by disease, toxins or simply old age. Damaged kidneys can no longer filter toxins from the blood effectively. As kidney function decreases, toxins build up in the blood. Though treatment can extend your dog’s life by months or years, kidney disease is usually fatal in the end.
There are four generally recognized stages of kidney disease. In the first stage, kidney function has decreased enough to allow toxins to build up your dog’s blood, but the build up is not yet sufficient to endanger your dog’s health. In the second stage, toxin accumulation has a reached a dangerous level, but your dog’s body has not yet sustained damage.
In the third stage of kidney disease, your dog begins showing symptoms of kidney failure. In the fourth and final stage, advanced kidney disease begins causing severe symptoms. Many vets consider stage 3 and stage 4 kidney disease to be the same thing. Kidney damage generally cannot be reversed in this stage often, the kidneys can’t even be stimulated to function temporarily.
The Way To Slow The Progression Of Non Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
The main goals of treating chronic kidney disease are to slow the progression of the disease and to prevent any complications from heart disease or diabetes. When you have kidney disease, you’re at greater risk of dying from a heart attack.
So your doctor needs to do the things that will help you prevent both further damage to your kidneys and cardiovascular disease.
The goals your doctor should have for you are to keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg and hemoglobin A-1 C below 7.5% in a person with diabetes. Many doctors use ACE inhibitors and ARB’s to preserve your renal function and prevent or reduce proteinuria. Your doctor should be carefully looking at your electrolytes in your blood and any other anemia or malnutrition and that you might have. These are things you should be concerned with when asking yourself, how fast does kidney disease progress?
When you get to stage III kidney disease which is defined as an eGFR of 30 59 mL/minute, it’s highly recommended that you start working with a nephrologist. .
Working with a nephrologist not only helps you prepare better for dialysis, but in many cases can slow the progression of disease through their specialized knowledge and use of medication.
Therapeutic Goal: Treat Anemia
- For moderate to advanced anemia anemia :
- Consider hormone supplementation with darbepoietin.
- Monitor PCV weekly until target PCV is obtained then taper frequency of administration.
- Monitor blood pressure as some patients may develop hypertension after initiation of darbepoietin therapy.
Darbepoietin, a synthetic form of erythropoietin, is thought to be less antigenic than human erythropoietin, which can cause development of anti-erythropoietin antibodies that crossreact and potentially destroy the patients endogenous erythropoietin, leaving the patient dependent on transfusions. Failure to respond to darbepoietin may indicate formation of antidarbepoietin/anti-erythropoietin antibodies however, concurrent inflammatory disease can also result in diminished response to darbepoietin.
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How Can I Keep My Kidneys Working As Long As Possible
There are a number of treatments, including medications and lifestyle changes, that may help keep your kidneys working longer. People can even get transplants before having dialysis, especially if they have a willing living donor. Ask your doctor what would help you. To learn more about possible treatments, see Options for Dialysis.
So What You Should Know About Stage 3 Kidney Disease Life Expectancy
You do not have to worry about stage 3 kidney disease life expectancy. If the disease is detected in the early stage or at stage 3A, the condition can be reversible. That is, you can prevent further damage to your kidney and with simple dietary habits, you can prolong your kidney life. However, the stage should not be neglected i.e. proper care is not taken, this might damage your kidney or permanently damage them. For the worst case scenario, you might have to transplant your kidney.
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How To Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3
Millions of Americans are believed to suffer from chronic Kidney Disease. The majority of the time dialysis or kidney transplants are the only options to those who are in the advanced stage of the disease.
Get to the Kidney Disease Solution, an all-in-one manual to improve kidney health and functioning. It was created by Duncan Capicchiano and his wife Fiona Chin, the program will help people fight kidney disease with all-natural methods.
This thorough review will go over everything you should learn about the program from how it works to the advantages and costs. If youre wondering whether this program will work for you, then continue reading.
Before you go on, you may want to check out this video by Review Vid on YouTube that gives a quick overview. Afterward, youll want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review.
Stage 3 Of Chronic Kidney Disease
A person with stage 3 chronic kidney disease has moderate kidney damage. This stage is broken up into two: a decrease in glomerular filtration rate for Stage 3A is 45-59 mL/min and a decrease in GFR for Stage 3B is 30-44 mL/min. As kidney function declines waste products can build up in the blood causing a condition known as uremia. In stage 3 a person is more likely to develop complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure, anemia and/or early bone disease.
Symptoms of stage 3 CKD
Symptoms may start to become present in stage 3:
- Fatigue
- Fluid retention, swelling of extremities and shortness of breath:
- Urination changes
- Kidney pain felt in their back
- Sleep problems due to muscle cramps or restless legs
Seeing a doctor when you have stage 3 CKD
As stage 3 progresses, a patient should see a nephrologist . Nephrologists examine patients and perform lab tests so they can gather information about their condition to offer the best advice for treatment. The nephrologists goal is to help their patient keep their kidneys working as long as possible.
Meeting a dietitian when you have stage 3 CKD
Someone in stage 3 may also be referred to a dietitian. Because diet is such an important part of treatment, the dietitian will review a persons lab work results and recommend a meal plan individualized for their needs. Eating a proper diet can help preserve kidney function and overall health.
Get help managing your kidney diet with free kidney-friendly cookbooks.
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How Fast Does Stage 3 Ckd Progress
This depends on a number of factors that will vary by patient. These include age, the underlying diagnosis, the implementation and success of secondary preventive measures, and the individual patient, according to Medscape. Studies have been done, however, to learn how to best predict progression from CKD to kidney failure.
One such study found that the following all suggested faster disease progression:
- Younger age
- Male sex
The same study also found that a higher risk of kidney failure could be predicted by a:
- Lower serum albumin, calcium, and bicarbonate level
- Higher serum phosphate level
Should I Keep Working
Yes! Most people find that disability pays much less than workingbut their bills don’t go away just because they’re ill. If you have CKD and a job, try to keep it if you can, or find a new one. Work can make you feel like you’re still you, and that you are still helping to support your family. Work may also be a vital part of your social life. If your job comes with a health plan, it can also help you get good care and pay for prescription drugs.
If you find that you feel too tired to work, see your doctor! Fatigue can be caused by anemia, which can be treated. Ask your employer if you need an accommodationmore breaks, a different shift time, or energy-saving devices to keep your job. You can find helpful information about employment support programs, laws, and resources to help people with disabilities on the social security website.
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When Do Most Cases Of Chronic Kidney Disease Occur
Since kidney tissue cannot regenerate if destroyed, the kidneys have a large amount of reserve capacity to perform their various functions. At least 2/3 of the kidneys must be dysfunctional before any clinical signs are seen.
“At least 2/3 of the kidneys must be dysfunctional before clinical signs are seen.”
In many cases, this means that the destruction has been occurring for months to years before failure has become evident.
In dogs, chronic kidney disease is associated with aging, and in simple terms can be considered to be the ‘wearing out’ of the kidney tissues. The age of onset is often related to the size of the dog. For most small dogs, the early signs of kidney disease occur at about ten to fourteen years of age. However, large dogs have a shorter life span and may undergo kidney failure as early as seven years of age.
Stages Of Renal Failure In Dogs
The elevation of blood waste product and abnormalities in urine, including the presence of protein, can indicate the severity of chronic kidney disease.
According to the International Renal Interest Society , stages of chronic renal disease are numbered 1 through 4 . The higher the stage number, the more symptoms youll often see in your pet. Its best if some treatments are started when the pet is at a specific stage of chronic kidney disease.
Median survival time for dogs in Stage 1 is more than 400 days, while Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days and Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days.
End-Stage Renal Disease in Dogs
Chronic kidney disease is progressive, and there is no cure. By the time an animal shows signs of the disease, damage is severe. The nephrons that remain are working hard to compensate for the nephrons lost to damage or age. In time, these remaining nephrons will also fail.
As the disease progresses prognosis worsens and survival time decreases with each stage. Median survival time for Stage 4 kidney disease ranges from 14 to 80 days, according to IRIS.
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Reducing The Risk Of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases
People with chronic kidney disease have an increased risk of developing CVDs, such as heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. People with CKD are actually twenty times more likely to die from cardiovascular-related problems than from kidney failure. This is why reducing any other cardiovascular risk factors is so important. See the separate leaflet called Cardiovascular Disease .
This typically includes:
Working Safely During The Pandemic
Is it safe for me to go into to work?
If you cannot work from home, whether it is safe for you to go in to work depends on your individual risk from Covid, how your workplace is set up and how you travel to get there. We have some tips for you to consider for your return to work:
- Talk to your employer early they are likely to want to do what they can to support you.
- Ask your employer to share the results of the risk assessment they are obliged to carry out and discuss steps what can be done to make the workplace safer, taking into account your higher risk.
- Speak to your kidney doctor, they will be able to advise on additional precautions.
- Consider whether there are any alternatives to public transport or whether you can travel at quieter times
- Ask your employer/HR dept to run a session on supporting vulnerable colleagues, so all colleagues are aware of appropriate action to take.
- Use social media/friends/other groups to find out what people in similar situations are doing.
- Speak to your union/ACAS about any worries.
- Explore whether the Access to Work fund could fund adjustments required to allow a safe return to work .
Kidney Care UK is leading a coalition of over 20 healthcare charities to ask employers to keep their immunocompromised staff safe at work, as there is evidence that the Covid vaccines may not work as well for these individuals. We have for everyone who is at highest risk from Covid-19 to use in discussion with their employers about how to keep safe at work.
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Whats The Process Of The Kidney Disease Solution Program Work
The ebook, cookbook, and audio materials guide patients through the process of treatment step-by-step. The guidebook provides guidelines for altering your lifestyle to improve your kidney health. Additionally the book provides recipes to help support kidney function and health. Additionally, it offers various natural remedies to aid in treating your illness.
The audio materials provide guided meditation exercises and morning yoga flow exercises. The audio for guided meditation can be effective in relieving stress and improving sleep quality. Morning yoga flow exercises taught by the renowned yoga teacher Antonella Milo, aim to improve your energy levels throughout the day and support kidney health.
In the end, the assortment of products offers a comprehensive and natural method of treating kidney disease. Through simple lifestyle adjustments as well as releasing stress through meditation, and incorporating yoga, you can put an end to the discomfort and pain due to kidney diseases.
Therapeutic Goal: Treat Hypertension
- ACE inhibitors are first line therapy for hypertension, and crucial to blunting the reninangiotensinaldosterone system however, they are weak antihypertensives, only reducing blood pressure approximately 10 mm Hg.
- The calcium channel blocker amlodipine is more effective, but should be used with an ACE inhibitor.
Following initiation or increase of ACE inhibitor dosage, mild increases in BUN and creatinine may be noted. Monitor mild increases that do not cause uremia however, reduce or discontinue the dosage if azotemia, accompanied by uremia, significantly increases, which suggests the ACE inhibitor has caused a significant decrease in GFR.
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What Are The Clinical Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease
When disease or advanced age causes the filtration process to become inefficient and ineffective, blood flow to the kidneys is increased in an attempt to increase filtration. The body must increase the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys since less and less of the toxins are being removed each time. This results in the production of more urine. To keep the dog from becoming dehydrated due to increased fluid loss in the urine, thirst and water consumption is increased.
Therefore, one of the earliest clinical signs of kidney failure is increased water consumption and urination, and is called compensated renal failure. After approximately 2/3 of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease. The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
Looking After Your Emotional Wellbeing And Coping With Anxiety
Sarah, a counsellor at Kidney Care UK, spoke at our webinar in November about how people can cope with the anxiety created by the Covid pandemic. She also spoke about how to cope with situations you may find particularly stressful.
At the end of this guidance we have provided links to sources of further help and information.
How can I cope with the anxiety brought on by the pandemic?
Sarah explained that we deal with anxiety all the time and it is very normal to feel anxious at times. But since the pandemic has started most peoples baseline anxiety has gone up because we feel like so much is out of our control. There are constant news broadcasts and lockdowns gave us time for us to focus on anxiety. So we need to think how we can reduce our base rate anxiety to help us cope better day to day.
It is also really important to recognise what you have already achieved. We are coming into our second full year of this pandemic and you are still here. You have coped with kidney disease as well as the pandemic. You are managing and you can do this.
Im still shielding and planning to do so over winter. This is making me feel pretty low and hopeless, what can I do to help myself cope emotionally with this?
Routines and planning activities to keep your spirits up
Is it normal to feel anxious in crowded situations like public transport? What can I do to calm myself?
- NHS Grampian have produced Tips on how to cope if you are worried about Coronavirus and in isolation
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What Is Involved In The First Phase Of Treatment
In the first phase, high doses of intravenous fluids are given to ‘flush out’ the kidneys and bloodstream. This flushing process is called diuresis and helps mildly damaged kidney cells to function again by removing the toxic metabolites and creating a healthier environment for healing.
“If enough functional kidney cells remain, they may be able to adequately meet the body’s needs for filtration and waste removal.”
If enough functional kidney cells remain, they may be able to adequately meet the body’s needs for filtration and waste removal. Fluid therapy includes replacement of various electrolytes, especially potassium. Other important aspects of initial treatment include proper nutrition and medication to control vomiting and diarrhea if present. Your dog will often begin to feel better soon after this stage of treatment is begun.
Is Kidney Failure Permanent
Usually, but not always. Some kinds of acute kidney failure, also known as acute renal failure, get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys get better.
In chronic or end stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.
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