Treatment For Kidney Failure In Dogs
As with many other conditions, treatment will be determined by your dogs overall health and the underlying cause of their kidney problems.
If your pet is suffering from acute kidney failure, urgent and intensive treatment will be required, often in intensive care at your animal hospital. That said, if spotted early, milder cases of acute kidney failure may be treated with fluids, antibiotics and medications without the need for hospitalization. In some cases dialysis may be recommended to treat acute renal failure in dogs.
When it comes to treating chronic kidney failure, the primarily focus will be on slowing the progression of the disease and improving your dog’s quality of life. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease such as nausea, fluid imbalances, and blood pressure fluctuations may be treated with medications and/or changes to your dog’s regular diet.
Many dogs being treated for chronic kidney failure go on to enjoy a good quality of life for a number of years. In order to help manage your dog’s condition, and improve your dog’s quality of life, specific nutrients, nutritional supplements or a therapeutic diet may be recommended.
How Quickly Does Kidney Disease Progress In Dogs
Median survival time for IRIS Stage 1 dogs was over 400 days, Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days, Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days, and Stage 4 ranged from 14 to 80 days. Successful treatment of CKD delays disease progression, likely provides greater survival times, and increases patient quality of life.
Kidney Disease Kidney Failure Etcwhat Does This Mean
Veterinarians often use the terms kidney failure and kidney disease in dogs somewhat interchangeably. Both phrases indicate that the kidneys are not functioning at their normal capacity. You may also hear or see terms like renal failure,renal disease, or renal insufficiency. Without additional context, these terms dont tell you much about how severe the problem might be.
It is no surprise then that the veterinary community quickly realized how important it was to have a unified way of describing the severity of kidney disease. Their solution was to simplify things by breaking kidney disease into stages and substages. Thus, the IRIS chronic kidney disease staging guidelines were born.
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Homemade Dog Food Meal Plans For Dogs That Wont Eat
Many dogs with K/D lose their appetite. Youmust work with your vet and determine a meal plan right for your dog. Feed yourpet low-protein and low-phosphorus diet.
Here are some ideas:
- Chopped egg whites and cottagecheese
- Sweet potatoes with leanbeef/lean chicken/lean turkey + broccoli
- Fish and brown rice if your dogisnt allergic to these.
What Is Chronic Renal Failure In Dogs
Chronic renal failure , renal insufficiency, and chronic kidney disease are all medical terms used to describe the same condition. It occurs when the kidneys are unable to perform their required tasks at the same level of efficiency as before.
Dogs have two kidneys located on either side of their abdomen, that play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Additionally, the kidneys serve to regulate fluid, mineral, and electrolyte balance conserve water and protein and play an important role in maintaining blood pressure and red blood cell production by making a hormone called erythropoietin.
Dogs cannot survive without their kidneys, and unfortunately, kidney transplants are yet to be a viable solution. Dialysis is often expensive and is extremely rare in dogs. However, early diagnosis and intervention is key to help maintain your dogs quality of life.
Once diagnosed, CRF is then classified into four different stages based on severity of clinical signs and laboratory values:
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Stage I: Clinical signs usually not apparent
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Stage II: Some clinical signs noted
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Stage III: Many clinical signs noted, and pets often feel sick
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Stage IV: Majority of clinical signs noted, pets often present as a crisis
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Treat High Blood Pressure
Antihypertensive medications and lifestyle modifications are the cornerstones for treating high blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs have been shown to slow the progression of CKD, particularly in patients with albuminuria. These medications lower glomerular capillary blood pressure as well as systemic blood pressure. These classes of drugs may also be considered in glomerular kidney disease when hypertension is not present. Monitor for hyperkalemia when prescribing these medications.
If the patient is not meeting the blood pressure goal, review
- adequacy of dietary salt restriction
- adequacy of diuretic regimen
- adherence to medication regimen
Treatment Of Kidney Disease
If the animal is well hydrated and has relatively normal electrolyte and acid base balance as determined by blood chemistry tests, the veterinarian can focus on medical management that involves primarily dietary modifications.
It is crucial that dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease have fresh water available to them at all times. They cannot concentrate their urine adequately and lose an excessive amount of water in the large volume of urine they produce. Consequently, they must drink large quantities of water to maintain their hydration. An owner should never withhold water from a dog or cat with chronic kidney disease thinking it will make them urinate less. On the contrary, restricting their water intake will only put them in danger of becoming dehydrated and more seriously ill.
If dietary restriction of phosphorus alone is not sufficient to reverse renal secondary hyperparathyroidism, the veterinarian may suggest adding phosphorus binders, which are drugs that bind phosphorus in the intestinal tract, prevent it being absorbed from the food, and allow it to be excreted in the feces. These medications should be given to the pet around the time of feeding to maximize their benefit. Some of these phosphorus binders are available over the counter and others are prescription products. They should, however, be used under the supervision of a veterinarian because adverse effects may occur if too much phosphorus binder is given.
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What Do The Kidneys Do
Regardlessif its in humans or in animals, kidneys are still 100% vital. For dogs,kidneys are found in the middle abdomen, close to their backs. Its actuallyvery closely similar to where the human kidneys are located. Kidneys areconnected to a blood vessel network that is extensive, and also connected tothe vital organs. Kidneys are pretty complicated, both in humans and in animals they do many different things and serve many functions. Kidneys basicallymaintain PH balance and electrolyte balance in our blood. They also filter outthe waste and produce the urine afterwards. The waste is then excreted throughthe urine.
Also, thekidneys that produce the enzymes in the hormones which help to regulatedifferent functions in our bodies. the kidneys and the heart work together in unisonto keep the body operating completely and functioning properly. Just like ushumans, dogs will die if their kidneys fail. However, just like us, they canalso function on just one kidney.
Dog Kidney Failure When To Euthanize
Dog Kidney Failure When To Euthanize is something that you may eventually need to consider. The best way to keep your dog as healthy as possible is to recognize signs of illness and get ailments treated as soon as you can. Canine kidney failure is a common problem found in older dogs and can often go unnoticed for a long time before symptoms show. There are many treatments available when your dog has been diagnosed with this condition and once youve got all the facts about dog kidney failure when to euthanize youll know just what to expect.
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Kidney Disease In Dogs: What Dog Owners Should Know
Kidney disease is very common in dogs, and protecting your pooch from kidney disease means you should be prepared to look for problems early. Studies show that 1 in 10 dogs suffer from kidney disease, reports Dr. Celeste Clements. Dogs can get kidney disease for any number of underlying reasons, and even worse, its often difficult to spot. Some of the earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs may include subtle weight loss, urinating/peeing more often and drinking a lot more water. Therefore, if you notice your dog is peeing on the floor or asking to go out more, or if your dog is always thirsty, its time to visit your veterinarian. Unfortunately, sometimes once these signs are present, theres typically already been a great deal of kidney damage. Fortunately, new advances in the veterinary world are making it easier to find kidney disease in dogs earlier .What is kidney disease in dogs?Kidney disease in dogs is notoriously hard to catch early and can have devastating effects on our canine friends. In general, kidney disease happens when your dogs kidneys stop doing their job as well as they should. The kidneys help clean waste products from the blood, if they are not working properly these waste products can build up in the blood. This damage, once done, can be permanent and can be caused by a variety of issues. Kidney disease in dogs is classified in two primary ways, as:
Kidney disease quick tips:
How Long Can I Expect My Dog To Live
The prognosis is quite variable depending on the dog’s response to the initial stage of treatment and your ability to perform the follow-up care. Veterinarians encourage treatment in most situations because many dogs will respond well and maintain a good quality of life.
“Treatment and follow-up care is relatively easy and inexpensive…”
Treatment and follow-up care is relatively easy and inexpensive and extending the length and quality of life for their faithful companion represents the ultimate reward for many clients.
| Contributors: Ernest Ward, DVM Updated by Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH |
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How Will My Veterinarian Determine The Degree Kidney Failure In My Dog
Your veterinarian will use the IRIS staging system. IRIS staging is based on serum creatinine levels, with sub-staging based on the presence of protein in the urine and measuring your dogs blood pressure. By using this staging, your veterinarian has a better idea of how to proceed with treatment, monitor progress, and to estimate your pets prognosis.
What Are Signs Of Kidney Failure In Dogs
Watch for these common symptoms of kidney failure:
- Breath that smells like chemicals
- Significant decrease in appetite
- Increase or decrease in water intake
- Increase or decrease in urine volume
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Drunken behavior or uncoordinated movement such as stumbling
- Intestinal seizures
A few factors can indicate whether kidney problems or other issues such as diabetes mellitus are causing the symptoms, such as: the type of kidney failure your dog may be experiencing, the extent of loss of function in the kidneys, progression of the condition and its underlying causes.
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Does My Dog Have Kidney Disease
The signs of kidney disease can be difficult to recognize but if you notice any of the following, it could mean your dog has a kidney problem. Please check with your veterinarian if you are seeing any of these signs.
- Increased thirst and urine production
- Obstructed urine flow
Chronic Kidney Disease: Chronic, or long-term, kidney disease can result from the above factors, plus: Breed and hereditary tendencies, in coordination with nutritional factors and immune system defects. Chronic kidney disease is progressive and irreversible.
Unfortunately, the signs of kidney disease usually do not appear until 75% of kidney function has been lost. Once chronic kidney failure develops, it cannot be reversed.
IMPORTANT: Early stages of kidney disease will show no signs or symptoms. An increase in thirst may be the first sign of kidney failure if you notice this, or any of the above signs, consult your veterinarian immediately.
What Are The Signs Of Kidney Failure In Dogs
Watch for these common symptoms of kidney failure:
- Drunken behavior or uncoordinated movement such as stumbling
- Intestinal seizures
A few factors, such as the type of kidney failure your dog may be experiencing, the extent of kidney function loss, the progression of the condition, and its underlying causes, can indicate whether kidney problems or other issues, such as diabetes mellitus, are causing the symptoms.
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The Doctors Opinion For Your Dogs Health
According to animal health specialists, dogs develop acute renal failure that arises as a result of ingesting toxins, including antifreeze, certain medications, tainted foods, stress, high blood pressure, kidney trauma, kidneys stones, etc.
Other conditions attributed to this type of kidney failure include decreased blood flow or oxygen delivery to the kidneys, infections and urinary obstruction. A dog with acute renal failure should receive intravenous fluids under the care of animal health specialist in early stages to prevent progression to chronic failure.
While some kidney problems have an immediate cause that can be treated, chronic kidney disease shows up over a period of time and it causes are harder to determine. This condition develops slowly and affects mostly other dogs.
What Is Iris And What Makes Their Guidelines So Useful
IRIS stands for the International Renal Interest Society. It was created in 1998 by an international group of veterinarians devoted to advancing the scientific understanding of kidney disease in small animals. IRIS is led by a board of 14 independent veterinarians from countries all over the world. Each has expertise in kidney function and kidney disease.
The mission of IRIS is to help veterinary practitioners better diagnose, understand, and treat renal disease in cats and dogs. They knew that to achieve that mission they needed to first establish an internationally recognized set of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. That way everyone was speaking the same kidney disease language.
I would say they did a pretty good job.
The guidelines IRIS developed help veterinarians communicate clearly among themselves and to pet parents dealing with kidney disease. They accomplish this by providing a clear and systematic way to stage the degree of kidney dysfunction.
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What Is The Prognosis For Kidney Disease
Knowing that kidney failure is progressive, it is natural to wonder how long your dog might live with kidney disease. This is a difficult question to answer since the rate of progression varies significantly between individual dogs. IRIS has not provided any specific prognosis or life expectancy for each stage. But in general, you can assume that the prognosis worsens as the stages progress.
With careful monitoring and treatment, some dogs with chronic kidney disease can live for years with a good quality of life. Unfortunately, if your dog is in Stage 3 or Stage 4 at the time of diagnosis, then he or she is more likely to succumb to kidney disease in months rather than years.
An older study gave a median survival time of > 400 days for dogs with Stage 1 disease, 200 to 400 days for dogs with Stage 2 disease, 110 to 200 days for dogs with Stage 3 disease, and 14 to 80 days for dogs with Stage 4 disease . But again, this can vary from dog to dog.
When To Put Down A Dog With Kidney Disease
Acute and chronic kidney disease in dogs both involve the ultimate failure in the functioning of your dogs kidneys. Whilst acute kidney failure comes on suddenly, chronic kidney failure is a more gradual disease.
Nobody wants to think about putting their dog to sleep, but with kidney disease being known to cause significant harm and pain for your dog, you need to consider whether the best course of action is to let them pass away painlessly.
Whilst it is natural to feel emotional about this issue, it is vital that you dont let your emotions cloud your judgement in making this decision.
I know first-hand that this is easier said than done, but it is easy to rationalise a decision when youre feeling emotional even when you know deep down its the wrong thing to do.
First and foremost, you need to consider how kidney failure is impacting your dogs quality of life.
Whilst every dogs experience with kidney disease is different, if they are no longer responding to treatments and is only deteriorating further, then euthanasia should be considered.
Although it is natural to want to keep your companion with you as long as possible, is it really worthwhile if theyre visibly suffering?
In this article, I will explore the issue of canine kidney failure in more depth, as well as considering how and when euthanasia is the best course of action.
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Question: How Long Can Dogs Live With Chronic Kidney Failure
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.
Possible Outcomes From The First Phase Of Kidney Failure Treatment
With this first phase of treatment, there are three possible outcomes:
The kidneys will resume functioning and continue to do so, whether it be a few weeks to a few years.
The kidneys will resume functioning during treatment but will fail again once treatments stop.
Kidney function will not return at all.
There is no test that can reliably predict the outcome of the first phase of kidney failure treatment so each case should be treated aggressively and monitored very closely. Even in severe cases of kidney failure, if the treatment goes well there is always a possibility that the dog can return to a normal quality of life.
Next Steps if the First Phase of Kidney Failure Treatment is Successful
If fluid therapy is successful, the next phase is to help keep the kidneys functioning as usual and for as long as possible. Depending on the situation, this can be accomplished in a few ways:
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