When a dog's kidneys can only perform their vital functions to a limited extent, this is referred to as kidney failure. The disease is often not recognized immediately, as it initially manifests itself with very unspecific symptoms. Dogs over the age of five are particularly affected, with certain breeds having a genetic predisposition to kidney disease.
The kidneys are responsible for producing urine and excreting metabolic waste products from the body. However, they also regulate water balance, acid-base balance (pH value), and electrolyte and mineral balance in the body. By synthesizing a growth factor, the kidneys are also involved in the formation of red blood cells. The kidneys therefore play a very important role in the overall circulation, and only a strong blood supply can ensure that all these functions are maintained.
Renal failure can be caused by disorders upstream of the kidney (prerenal), directly in the kidney (renal), or downstream of the kidney (postrenal).
Prerenal triggers include a drop in blood pressure due to shock, blood loss or anesthesia, fluid loss due to vomiting, diarrhea, burns or hypothermia, and vascular occlusion.
Internal toxins, which can be caused by inflammation of the liver, intestines or uterus, for example, or external toxins, such as heavy metal compounds or certain medications, can damage the kidney tissue and are therefore referred to as renal triggers.
Postrenal triggers are a wide variety of factors that lead to urinary retention. These include urinary stones, tumors, bleeding, bladder paralysis, or prostate diseases that lead to a blockage of the urinary tract. A rupture (tear) of the urinary tract can also lead to renal failure.
Furthermore, a distinction is made between acute (= immediate) and chronic (= prolonged) renal failure. Acute renal failure is a sudden failure of kidney function. It is much less common than chronic renal failure, but is life-threatening and always an absolute emergency.
Chronic renal failure often begins very gradually and is usually not recognized in its early stages, as clinical symptoms only appear when approximately 75% of the kidney tissue has been irreversibly destroyed. For this reason, it is particularly important to recognize and treat renal failure as early as possible.
The body increases blood flow to the kidneys through elevated blood pressure, and healthy kidney tissue can compensate for the functions of the damaged areas up to a certain point. As soon as this is no longer the case and the kidneys can no longer filter all waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine, increased levels of substances that need to be excreted in the urine (metabolic waste products such as urea or creatinine) are detected in the blood. Even at this stage, there may not be any outward signs. As the disease progresses, the kidneys eventually become unable to excrete waste products and the body essentially poisons itself.
The first signs of chronic renal failure are very unspecific and are sometimes confused with normal signs of aging. Affected dogs become listless, tired, and less active. Only as the disease slowly progresses do typical symptoms such as increased urination and drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, dull coat, and apathy appear.
So if you feel that your dog has become particularly tired or lethargic lately, or is drinking more and more every day, this may not just be due to age, but could also indicate a serious kidney problem. It is best to have your dog examined by your vet more often so that you can get help in good time if necessary.
After taking a preliminary report, your vet will examine your dog and carry out additional blood and urine tests to quickly arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Depending on the extent of the kidney damage, certain parameters such as urea or creatinine will be elevated in the blood. Even before changes appear in the blood count, a urine test provides very important information about the filtration capacity of the kidneys.
An ultrasound examination is another valuable tool for determining the size and structure of the kidneys. In rare cases, a kidney biopsy (tissue sample from the kidney) may also be necessary.
The goal of treating kidney failure should always be to preserve healthy kidney tissue for as long as possible, eliminate or treat reversible causes, and reduce the effects of uremia on other organ systems.
Different veterinary treatment protocols are developed depending on the course of the disease and clinical symptoms. In most cases, this includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, medication to prevent vomiting, stomach protectors, vitamins, and a low-protein, low-salt diet to avoid unnecessarily burdening the damaged kidney with certain metabolic products. Your veterinary practice can send your dog's medication to petsXL digitally, so that you can find all upcoming medication doses in your timeline and set reminders for yourself.
Avoiding stress and taking care of the affected animal also contribute greatly to the success of the therapeutic measures. Any additional medication, even if it does not affect the kidneys, must always be discussed with a veterinarian in dogs with kidney disease, as many preparations have a negative effect on kidney blood flow.
Chronic renal failure cannot be cured, as kidney tissue cannot regenerate once it has been destroyed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are therefore particularly important in order to at least halt the progression of the disease and alleviate the symptoms. With this long-term therapy and a tailored diet, many dogs with kidney disease can still enjoy many years of good health.
The most important measure is an annual veterinary check-up with a clinical examination and blood and urine tests, followed by immediate intervention at the first sign of symptoms. This is the only way to halt or prevent the onset of kidney failure through intensive treatment.
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