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In an animal with poor kidney function, the kidneys have lost their ability to reabsorb water and concentrate urine. The result is an increase in water intake in an attempt to keep the kidneys functioning properly-that is, to remove toxins produced by the body.
Eventually, the animal can no longer compensate, and toxins start to build up in the blood.
As waste accumulates in the blood, complications develop. These can include urinary tract infections, mouth and stomach ulcers, anemia, and high blood pressure (which can lead to blindness).
Types of Kidney Failure
There are two kinds of kidney failure. In acute kidney failure, a sudden, severe decline in kidney function causes alterations in fluid and mineral balances. These abrupt changes produce a negative effect on almost every body system. Because kidney function declines so quickly, the physical signs of acute kidney failure are more dramatic and easier to detect. This type of kidney failure often occurs when a pet ingests a toxic substance, such as antifreeze.
Chronic kidney failure, on the other hand, occurs when the
kidneys become weaker as pets age. The kidneys can no
longer excrete waste products, produce hormones, or regulate
the chemical composition of body fluids, all of which are crucial
to your pet's health. Chronic kidney failure will cause kidney
function to decrease slowly over a long period of time, so physical
signs will appear gradually.
Chronic kidney failure typically affects older pets. It is extremely serious, irreversible, and sometimes fatal.
Treatment Options
The choice of treatment depends on how advanced the condition is at the time of diagnosis. In earlier stages of disease, treatment can take place at home. This often involves giving fluids to your pet under her skin. In advanced cases, your pet will need to be hospitalized for 2 to 3 days for a procedure called diuresis. In this
procedure, fluids are delivered into your pet's veins to stabilize the toxin level caused by waste buildup.
Special diets designed to limit the stress on the kidneys while providing needed nutrients will likely be recommended by your veterinarian. Medications may also be prescribed to help alleviate signs of anemia and help to rid the body of some of the toxins in the blood. In the most extreme situations, your pet may need dialysis, a process in which a machine filters toxins from the
blood and then returns the blood to the animal's body, or even a kidney transplant. Both are very expensive.
Plan Ahead
Regardless of the severity of your pet's condition or how you choose to treat it, remember there are many other owners facing the same decisions. One way to prepare yourself is to
talk with your veterinarian about the best ways to reduce the risk before kidney failure occurs. Simple precautions such as a quality diet, access to clean water, a low-stress lifestyle, and annual exams (especially for older pets) will help catch problems early. If kidney disease is caught early and managed successfully with a proper diet, medication, and hydration therapy, pets can often live with a good quality of life for years beyond the diagnosis.
SIGNS OF KIDNEY FAILURE
• Increased water intake
• Weight loss
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Increased urination
• Lethargy
• Weakness