As in humans, the kidneys in dogs also have a vital function. The two small organs on the right and left of the lumbar vertebrae filter most of the toxins and pollutants out of the blood and guide them out of the body. If the kidneys do not work, medicine speaks of renal insufficiency. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about kidney failure in dogs.
What is the job of the kidneys in the dog’s body?
The kidneys are two very important organs in the body. They are located on the right and left of the lumbar vertebrae, close to the spine. The blood is pumped through them so that it is cleaned of the body’s own toxins, some of which are self-produced. These toxins are created by the biological process of protein metabolism that produces ammonia and creatinine. These toxic substances must be disposed of through the urine, otherwise, the body becomes poisoned. The filter cells in the kidneys, the so-called nephrons, are also responsible for the hormone balance, the water-electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and the acid-base ratio in the body. If the kidneys can only perform these tasks insufficiently or not at all, medicine speaks of renal insufficiency.
What to do if a dog has kidney failure?
Regardless of whether it is acute or already chronic kidney failure, it is best to do exactly what the treating doctor recommends. He will explain what to look out for and the prognosis for your four-legged friend.
Renal insufficiency in the dog: significance of the disease
Renal insufficiency is an insidious disease, since the external warning signs unfortunately only become recognizable very, very late. In most cases, the kidneys are already severely damaged. Specialists often find that 75% of the filter cells, the nephrons, are already destroyed before kidney failure occurs. The dog’s body is already poisoned and there is a risk of anemia due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.
Two types of renal failure in dogs
Two types of renal failure are diagnosed in veterinary practice. Acute renal failure and chronic renal failure.
Acute renal failure
When the function of the kidneys decreases rapidly within a very short period of time, it is referred to as acute renal failure. Here, the detoxifying function of the filter cells, the nephrons, decreases very quickly, up to the point of total kidney failure. If a veterinarian diagnoses acute kidney failure, the dog is immediately given intensive care. The treatment method then depends on the cause. If, for example, toxins are responsible in the body, detoxification measures are taken. It is important to keep the dog alive until the kidneys have recovered.
Chronic renal failure (CRF)
Chronic renal failure is very insidious. Without any complications or indications, it goes unnoticed over a long period of time and damages the kidney tissue in such a way that it is irreversibly damaged. The healthy kidney tissue can increase its filter function up to threefold and thus compensate for the performance of the damaged tissue. Only when the kidneys are only performing about 25% of their capacity do the symptoms of renal insufficiency become clearly noticeable. Since the chronic disease is often only discovered at a very late stage and the tissue has already scarred, it is almost impossible to determine the cause of CKD.
Which painkillers can my dog ​​receive if he has kidney failure?
Medicines or herbs should only be given after consultation with the treating veterinarian.
Three factors lead to renal insufficiency in dogs
Three different factors lead to kidney disease in dogs. Prerenal, renal and postrenal. Prenal means outside the urinary tract, renal in the kidneys, or postrental in the urinary tract.
Prerental functions
Prerental functions are found outside of the dog’s excretory pathways. For example, if there is a drop in blood pressure due to heatstroke, severe bleeding, or shock. Too little blood volume in the dog’s body, for example, due to severe diarrhea, severe vomiting, burns, hypothermia, blood poisoning or inflammatory processes in the body can trigger prerental kidney failure.
Rental functions
Renal factors affect the kidneys themselves. The kidney tissue is destroyed and can no longer perform its function as the body’s detoxification center. Due to acute kidney inflammation, for example as a result of leptospirosis. But the kidneys can also fail due to other bacterial and viral infections or exogenous and endogenous toxins. Exogenous toxins are, for example, heavy metals such as iron, copper, lead, or certain medications, poisonous plants, but also an overdose of vitamin D is one of them. The body’s own toxins can arise from other diseases. For example, in the case of intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, or liver disease.
Post-Rental Functions
The so-called post-renal factors are caused by a backlog of urine in the urinary tract in dogs. This can be caused by urinary stones, but growths of tumors or abscesses in the urinary tract can also be the cause. An enlarged prostate in male dogs can also cause urine to back up. Former stud dogs often suffer as a result, having had to cover continuously for many years from dubious breeders without any recovery phases. Accidents, a tear in the urinary tract, or an injured bladder can also be the cause.
Symptoms of renal failure in dogs
Many dog owners cannot interpret the symptoms correctly and only suspect kidney failure at a later stage. This is also due to the fact that symptoms only become visible when the kidneys have already suffered serious damage. The kidney is able to maintain its functions and regenerates itself. Therefore, kidney failure in dogs only becomes apparent when 60-75 percent of the nephrons are destroyed. In chronic kidney failure, the dog shows increased thirst, immunodeficiency, and vomiting. Later in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD), dogs show apathy, muscle spasms, and epileptic seizures.
A dog with acute renal failure shows non-specific symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, apathy and weakness, and tender kidneys. The dog with kidney disease moves less, sleeps a lot, and is not encouraged to play.
How does renal insufficiency manifest itself in dogs?
In chronic kidney failure, the dog shows increased thirst, immunodeficiency, and vomiting. Later in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD), dogs show apathy, muscle spasms, and epileptic seizures.
Treatment: emergency and living with renal insufficiency
If your dog has acute kidney failure, hurry up! This diagnosis is an emergency and your four-legged friend must be treated directly in a practice or clinic. In the veterinary clinic, the dog must be given medication until the kidneys can excrete substances that have to be excreted in the urine. He is given IV fluids and the cause of kidney failure needs to be eliminated. In the event of poisoning, appropriate detoxification measures must be taken.
The prognosis for a dog with acute renal failure is difficult. If you act quickly and the animal is treated quickly, the damage is reversible. If therapy is started too late, damage to the kidneys may remain and be irreversible. After acute kidney failure, you have to take your dog to the vet regularly to carry out important checks. This allows you to recognize renewed kidney failure early on and you know what to look out for in your four-legged friend.
If your vet has diagnosed chronic kidney failure, the cause must first be eliminated. With a suitable therapy, the doctor wants to improve the kidney function of your dog and preserve as many nephrons as possible. An important component is a special kidney diet that the dog owner must introduce. The feed is very easy to digest and contains less sodium, phosphorus, protein, and magnesium. This puts less strain on the kidneys and cardiovascular system. In addition, the dog always needs fresh drinking water, which stimulates kidney activity. If your dog has chronic kidney failure, you can seek advice from your veterinarian. He will explain what to look out for and the prognosis for your four-legged friend. With the right measures, even a dog with kidney failure can live to a ripe old age!
What can a dog with kidney failure eat?
The dog food must contain as few harmful substances as possible. Food without preservatives, colorings, or other unnecessary fillers would be ideal for the dog.
What can I do as a dog owner?
Any kind of stress, including positive stress such as exuberant joy, should be avoided at all costs in a dog with renal insufficiency. Stress can severely affect the dog’s well-being and cause acute flare-ups.
Chronic kidney failure is no longer curable. However, the top priority is to protect the kidney tissue and try to slow down the progression.
Diagnosis of renal insufficiency in dogs – the right diet
The dog food must contain as few harmful substances as possible. Food that contains preservatives, colorings, or other unnecessary fillers must be avoided at all costs so that the kidney function is not unnecessarily burdened. High-quality, organic feed that has been carefully processed is the most suitable.
Special kidney diets are formulated in such a way that they burden the kidneys with certain metabolic products as little as possible. Low-salt kidney diets contain little protein so that as few nitrogenous metabolites as possible are produced during utilization, which the kidneys have to filter. Vegetable protein is also unsuitable for damaged kidneys. It is best to consult a certified nutritional advisor specifically for dogs in the event of a kidney finding.
Healing process
Acute kidney disease can be treated well with the right medication, and a reduced blood supply to the kidneys, therefore, has a good chance of being completely healed. Provided that the acute renal insufficiency is recognized in time. However, there is a high risk that if left untreated, acute renal failure will turn into chronic failure. This is more difficult to treat as it causes irreversible damage and breakdown of the kidney’s internal structure. The primary goal is to preserve the functioning kidney tissue for as long as possible.
