Feb 4, 2019
Kidney disease is more common as dogs age. It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 dogs will develop kidney disease over a lifetime1,3, so it’s an important topic to understand. When healthy, the two kidneys efficiently:
Kidney disease occurs when one or more of these functions are compromised or reduced. Unfortunately, it typically goes undetected until the organs are functioning at approximately 33% to 25% of their capacity. Dogs with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prone to dehydration and you may notice that your dog is lethargic and has a poor appetite. Treatment options for advanced kidney disease are usually limited to treating the symptoms because dialysis and kidney transplants are not readily available for dogs. Protecting your pooch from kidney disease means you should be prepared to look for problems early.
Causes of of chronic kidney
disease in dogs
The International Renal Interest Society or
IRIS is a group of veterinary specialists
studying kidney disease in dogs and cats. They list
several risk factors that make pets more susceptible to kidney
disease, such as age or breed, and
investigate reversible factors that initiate or accelerate kidney
damage. Such factors include:
Signs of chronic kidney disease
in dogs
One of the earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs
is urinating and drinking more
(polyuria/polydipsia or PU/PD). Often, dogs need to urinate at
nighttime (nocturia) or have "accidents." There are many other
causes of PU/PD, but kidney disease is one of the most serious
concerns. Taking water away from your dog could make chronic kidney
disease worse, so please don’t try to do this without
your veterinarian’s direction.
Having your dog examined promptly when you note a change in water
intake and urine production is key! Dogs tend to be pretty
sensitive to changes in their blood levels of waste so even mild to
moderate changes may cause signs of illness.
Other signs of chronic kidney disease include:
Testing your dog for chronic
kidney disease
Your veterinarian will often suggest these basic
tests:
Physical Examination— The first test your veterinarian is likely to perform will be a physical examination, and remember that taking your dog in for routine physical examinations is an excellent way to help protect him. Even normal physical exams may be useful later as a baseline of comparison. During the exam, your veterinarian might detect:
A rectal examination can give more detail about the possibility of urethral, bladder or prostatic disease that might relate to kidney disease. Finding a large bladder in a dehydrated pet, or other, less specific, findings may also warn your veterinarian about a kidney problem, for example:
Other testing may include:
Management and monitoring of
chronic kidney disease
Sick pets with signs of kidney disease that include dehydration
will likely require more intensive care in a hospital setting,
while those that are happy tail waggers and are completely
self-supporting will often be treated at home. Your veterinarian
will work diligently to find a treatable cause of kidney disease
and make individual recommendations for your dog.
General treatment goals for dogs with kidney disease
include:
Keep in mind that dogs with kidney disease are usually going to
need more trips outside for bathroom breaks, so building this into
the household schedule will be important. A friendly neighbor can
help out, or a professional dog walker can come to give your pooch
a midday break and help you avoid coming home to a puddle or two on
the floor. He really can’t help it!
Your pet’s condition, any other illnesses found and your personal
goals for treatment will help determine the course of treatment and
dictate how often you visit the veterinarian.
Chronic kidney disease
prognosis/advances
Some dogs with chronic kidney disease will live years after
diagnosis and have a good quality of life. Others will not be so
lucky. Your veterinarian will evaluate after testing
is finished.
As a motivated pet guardian you can take an active role in your
pet’s preventive care by planning for wellness exams and routine
lab testing. Team up with your veterinarian to address any problems
before they get worse. The discovery of new biomarkers for kidney
function, such as SDMA, provides for early recognition of kidney
disease before other blood values change and offers the prospect of
earlier intervention and kidney care3.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
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