My Pet’s Been Diagnosed With Kidney Failure. Now What?
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We may think dogs dogs are a different species, but their bodies function the same to human bodies. Dogs also have kidneys and they need balance nutrients in their bodies to clean out and filter the waste. We need to understand what causes kidney disease in our pets and what we can do to avoid it.
Kidneys play a very big role in us and in animals. This also help control blood pressure, increase red blood cell production, and help calcium metabolize.
If kidney is not functioning well or is impaired, this causes an overall health problems for your pet.
It is important toknow the signs of kidney disease in dogs and cats and what we can do as their parents/friends to prevent and help them with their condition.
What Causes Kidney Failure in Dogs?
There are two Kidney problems in dogs and they can be acute or chronic.
Acute kidney failure happens very quickly and may take only over a couple of days, while chronic kidney failure happens slowly over time.
What are the causes of Acute Kidney Failure in pets?
Acute kidney problems are most frequently associated with your dog ingesting a toxin. We all know that there are things at home we can’t control and this is sometimes risky for our pets especially dogs because they tend to be more curious than cats. It may be a chemical like antifreeze, accidentally intaking household cleaners, or simply eating bad food.
These problems also occur due to a urinary obstruction in your pet’s body. When their blood flow decreases, it leaves your dog’s kidneys less oxygenated and more prone to infection. -pets.webmd.com
Kidney issues may also result from:
- Severe dehydration
- Heat strokes
- Snake Bites
- Leptospirosis (a bacterial infection)
- Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney disease is most common in older dogs, and up to now the exact reason why our older dogs get this is often difficult to point out because of its slow progress. There are early symptoms of chronic kidney disease but they are often overlooked or neglected because they show to be mild in nature.
What Are Some Signs of Kidney Disease in Dogs?
A couple of things to watch for are:
- Drinking more or less water
- Change in volume and frequency of urination
- Loss of interest in playing or interacting
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in urine
- Signs of dental disease like pale gums, smelly breath, mouth ulcers
How Can Kidney Failure Be Prevented?
The most Manageable things we can do at home is Keep Your Dog Away From Chemicals and give them enough hydration and healthy food.
