Also known as renal
failure, kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are unable to function
properly.
Healthy kidneys
Some functions that healthy kidneys perform include:
- Remove metabolic waste products
from your pet’s blood
- Regulate the volume and chemical
composition of body fluids
- Produce hormones that stimulate
the production of red blood cells
- Control blood pressure
- After the kidneys have done their
job, the by-products produced by the metabolic process are excreted
in your pet’s urine.
Two kinds of kidney failure
Chronic kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer excrete
waste products, produce hormones and regulate the chemical composition
of body fluids, all of which are crucial functions for your pet’s
health. Chronic kidney failure will cause kidney function to decrease
slowly over a long period of time so physical symptoms will appear
gradually.
Acute kidney failure is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney
function that causes changes in body chemistry such as alterations in
fluid and mineral balances. These abrupt changes will negatively affect
almost every body system. Because kidney function declines so quickly,
the physical symptoms are more dramatic with acute kidney failure.
Causes of kidney failure
The most common cause of kidney failure is kidneys “wearing out” with
age. Kidney failure can also be caused by ingesting toxic substances,
including antifreeze, some anti-inflammatory drugs and certain kinds of
antibiotics. Additionally, some infections may cause kidney function to
decline.
Physical signs of kidney failure
The following signs may be indicative of kidney failure. Notify your
veterinarian if you see any of these signs in your pet.
- Excessive drinking
- Increased urination
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Bad breath
- Not eating for more than one day
- Weakness or lack of coordination
when walking
- Depression
- Weight loss or wasting of muscle
tissue
Preventing kidney failure
While it is not possible to prevent the most common cause of kidney
failure — kidneys “wearing out” due to old age — it is possible to treat
it. Outdoor dogs and cats are at greater risk of kidney failure because
they are more likely to be exposed to antifreeze, which is fatal when
ingested (even in small amounts).
There are no specific ways to prevent kidney failure, but general
recommendations include allowing your pet frequent attempts to urinate;
providing access to fresh, clean water at all times and avoiding
exposure to antifreeze by minimizing the amount of unsupervised time
your pet spends outdoors.
What types of pets may experience kidney failure?
The prevalence of kidney failure increases as pets age. Cats and small
dogs may show early signs of kidney failure at 10 to 14 years of age and
large dogs can experience kidney failure much earlier. Cats are more
likely than dogs to experience kidney failure and certain breeds of pets
are more likely to develop kidney problems than others. |
All breeds of dogs and
cats can be affected by kidney problems though, so your veterinarian may
recommend blood work at an early age in order to establish baseline
values. These baseline values can be used for comparison later in your
pet’s life to determine if your pet is experiencing kidney problems or
other disease.
Treating kidney failure
Laboratory tests are crucial to diagnose both chronic and acute kidney
failure and to rule out other diseases. Your veterinarian will take
blood and urine samples from your pet to test for values related to
different kidney functions and ensure that an infection is not causing
the physical signs of kidney disease.
While acute kidney failure is potentially reversible, chronic kidney
failure is not and an acute kidney problem may develop into a chronic
problem. Pets experiencing chronic kidney failure may not respond to
treatment at all or they may live for another few months or years. Your
veterinarian will take into account your pet’s history, physical
examination and laboratory test results to determine if your pet is
suffering from acute or chronic failure. Your veterinarian may also wish
to conduct a kidney biopsy to give you an accurate prognosis of your
pet’s condition and life expectancy.
Chronic and acute kidney failure can be very serious, even
life-threatening conditions that require hospitalization.
- Treatment options include:
- Intravenous fluids
- Special diet to decrease protein
and salt consumption
- High blood pressure medication
- Control of vomiting and
gastrointestinal problems with diet and drug therapy
- Anemia (decreased red-blood cell
production) medication
- Potassium supplements
- Hospitalization and supportive
care
When your pet is well enough to leave
the hospital, your veterinarian will want to keep a close eye on his
condition with frequent blood and urine tests. Make sure to give your
pet any and all prescribed medications and diets according to your
veterinarian’s instructions. If necessary, some pet owners can
administer subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids at home and your
veterinarian will instruct you on how to do this.
Following instructions and working closely with your veterinarian during
your pet’s treatment will give your pet a better quality of life and
possibly help prolong his life. |