Kidney failure (also known as
chronic renal failure, or canine
or feline CRF) is often a disease of the older dog or cat. The
disease can be a symptom of aging or can be caused by a defect
in the kidneys that caused the animal to have failure at a
younger age. Chronic nephritis, a long-standing infection of
the kidney, can cause damage over time and result in kidney
failure. Infections, like urinary
tract infections or fungal infections, trauma to the
kidney area (like from being hit by a car), toxins and poisons like antifreeze, and
cancer, can also cause kidney failure, among other
illnesses. Even some medications meant to help a petโs health
might cause kidney failure.
Signs of Kidney Failure
One of the clearest, most obvious signs of kidney failure is increased
thirst. This sign is followed by the next most obvious sign of
kidney failureโincreased urination. An affected pet's kidneys
are unable to retain the right amount of water, so the pet
keeps urinating fluid, but is thirstier because their body is
losing the water they need.
Other signs may include vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite,
among others.
Treatment for Kidney Failure
Your veterinarian will diagnose your dog or cat with kidney
failure following urinalysis and blood tests. From those tests,
he or she can determine how well the kidneys are functioning.
Depending on the cause, the pet
may require medication. Because of the nature of kidney
failure, the kidneys will not get better. The goal of treatment
is to keep the pet comfortable and help their body cope with
the reduced kidney capacity as long as possible. Treatment may
include diet changes to help reduce the load on the kidneys.
Specialty diet formulas are made
specifically for pets with kidney failure, and those diets may
have reduced protein. Canned food is often recommended over dry
food to increase more fluid intake.
Because some pets lose their appetite with kidney failure,
making their food more appetizing, such as warming up the
food, might help.
Other treatment may include fluid therapy in which the animal
is hydrated by injecting fluid under the skin. Vitamins,
electrolytes, minerals, or fatty acid supplements may be
recommended to make up for all the necessary nutrients that are
being lost.
Other, more aggressive treatments are available to pet owners
including kidney transplant or dialysis. Depending on the cause
and treatment, some pets can live for months, even years, with
kidney failure.
Canine and Feline Kidney Failure Symptoms - What You Need To
Know
The symptoms of kidney
disease can vary depending on the type of disorder
affecting your cat or dog. Pain in the kidney area and blood or
pus in the urine point to a bacterial infection of the kidneys.
This condition is usually successfully cured with antibiotics,
but if not treated in time, a bacterial infection can lead to
kidney failure.
Kidney Failure
There are many other causes of kidney failure in dogs and
cats including viruses, cysts, trauma, poisoning, and, the most
common, advanced age. Depending on the origin of the disease,
kidney failure may be acute or chronic.
Pets that suffer acute kidney failure may suddenly be unable to
control urination, have excessive thirst, and quickly display
more serious symptoms. Those with chronic renal failure may be
asymptomatic for a long time before you begin to notice problem
such as needing to drink or urinate more frequently; these
symptoms slowly lead to other problems associated with kidney
failure
In the majority of cases, kidney failure in dogs and cats
results from long-standing problems that slowly destroy the
organs. There is likely to be no sign of a problem as long as
25 percent of the kidneyโs nephrons, tubes that serve as
filters, are working. As nephrons continue to die, you will see
those first noticeable signs of a problem (increased thirst and
frequent urination). At that point, you cannot stop the
progression of the kidney damage, but appropriate treatments
may relieve some of your petโs symptoms and discomfort.
Signs of Uremic Poisoning
As your petโs kidneys continue to fail, you will see more
serious symptoms develop. Dogs and cats with late stage
renal failure will retain ammonia, nitrogen, acids, and other
body wastes. This is known as uremic poisoning. Symptoms of
uremic poisoning include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Refusal to eat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry coat
- Discoloration on the tongue
Complications
Pets with chronic kidney failure often have high blood
pressure, which can contribute to further loss of kidney
function. It may also cause blindness. If a veterinarian
confirms hypertension, you may be able to manage your petโs
high blood pressure with medications such as Benazepril.
Cats and dogs with chronic kidney failure may also have
hyperparathyroidism in which the body secretes too much of the
parathyroid hormone (PTH). Pets with hyperparathyroidism lack a
certain type of vitamin D and can develop several problems
including tooth loss and softening of the lower jaw, which
creates a condition known as โrubber jaw.โ
More on Pet Health Care
Urinary Tract Infections in
Pets
How to Give a Pet Oral
Medications
How to Choose a Cat Litter Box and
Kitty Litter
This information is for informational purposes only
and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice
of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with
respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a
licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
