As in humans, dogs also need to keep their blood purified from waste produced by their body; The kidneys are the main organs responsible for this work.

Kidney failure in dogs occurs when the animal’s kidneys stop functioning properly. This pathology can occur in a chronic way especially in adult dogs, although it can also manifest as acute in younger ones, due to an infection or the intake of a product of high toxicity, among other causes.

If you suspect that your pet has a kidney problem, it is necessary to take it as soon as possible to the veterinarian who can determine the type of pathology and the treatment to follow. In the next post, we help you determine what to do when your dog has such kidney problems.

Canine renal failure: causes of this disease

Canine renal failure is produced when the dog’s kidneys lose the ability to eliminate waste from the body. If the kidneys work well, the urine produced is very concentrated, indicating that with little water it is possible to eliminate many toxins.

In the case of renal failure, the dog needs to drink much more water to eliminate the normal amount of toxins, until it reaches the point of not being able to drink more, considerably raising the level of toxins in the blood.

Acute renal failure may appear suddenly, caused by the ingestion of a poison, a bacterial infection, a dehydration condition or a decrease in blood flow in the kidneys.

For its part, chronic renal failure occurs gradually and is usually more common in adult dogs.

The animal suffering from acute renal failure can improve its situation or become chronic renal failure. Those of the chronic type, for the most part, have no cure.

Therefore, it is advisable to schedule a general review of our pet’s health every year, especially if it is already an adult. Kidney disease is usually more common among adult dogs, so annual review from 8 years of age is convenient.

How to determine kidney problems in the dog?

In cases of acute renal failure, the symptoms are usually severe and occur almost immediately. The dog manifests loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, vomiting, decreased urine and loss of coordination.

Acute renal failure can be fatal if not acted on time, therefore, it is essential to proceed immediately and take the pet to an emergency veterinary review.

On the other hand, when the dog suffers from chronic renal failure, the symptoms manifest late. The animal feels an excessive need to drink and urinate much more than before. In this case, it is the same organism that strives to remain free of toxins.

The symptoms of the disease are weight loss, lack of appetite and excessive thirst. As we have indicated above, when the pathology manifests itself, the damage is usually very advanced.

In certain cases, chronic renal failure usually presents bad breath in the animal due to the accumulation of toxins in the blood, as well as a rise in blood pressure and alterations in the physiognomy of the kidneys.

Treatment of kidney failure in dogs

Once the necessary analyzes have been carried out, the veterinarian will be able to determine if he is faced with an acute renal failure (ARI) or chronic (IRC). If the diagnosis is ARF, the dog will be hospitalized for special treatment.

Treatment in the case of ARF will depend on the level of disease progression and the damage that has occurred in the kidneys. The goal is to help a gradual recovery of the organs, monitoring them closely.

Many times the initial treatment may not be giving the desired results, which may determine that the veterinarian initiates a more aggressive treatment such as dialysis or organ transplantation.

However, if the diagnosis is CRF, the veterinarian must determine if the disease is caused by a cause other than real damage, such as pathologies that obstruct the urinary tract or decrease blood flow. If this is the case, the problem can be reversed.

In the event that the disease is very advanced, supportive treatment can help reduce the animal’s symptoms.

Care to prevent canine kidney failure

Although it is not possible to prevent all cases of canine renal failure, we can try some care at home to safeguard the health of our pet’s kidneys.

It is essential to keep dogs away from toxic products, pesticides, poisons or harmful substances.
If you suspect a urinary obstruction or a bacterial infection, it is best to go with the pet, as soon as possible, to the veterinary clinic.
We must protect the animals from any possible blow or trauma that can be done in the renal area.
Food care is essential to prevent any kidney damage. A balanced diet will provide the animal with the necessary nutrients for the optimal functioning of all the organs of the body. Consult with the veterinarian about the convenience of using certain types of commercial feed.
We must be alert to any change in the behavior of the pet, as well as the amount of food consumed. A lot of thirst and excess urine may be the first symptoms of kidney failure in the animal.
We must provide the animal with fresh and clean water; That will help keep your kidneys at an optimal level of functioning.

It is essential to go to the veterinarian before the appearance of any of the indicated symptoms; going to the specialist as soon as possible is key to counteract the effects of canine renal failure.