Does your dog/cat need a kidney test?

BY | June 06 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

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Chronic kidney disease or chronic renal failure is one of the most severe diseases that affects our furry four-legged friends, and the main problem is that symptoms are often hard to detect. Renal failure is responsible for the deaths of numerous cats and dogs across the globe, and it can often be hard for pet owners to determine if their pet needs to undergo a kidney test. Renal failure is particularly common in senior pets so you need to extra vigilant if you have a senior cat or dog.

Your pet is drinking and urinating excessively

Excess water consumptions and urination is a surefire sign that is something is wrong with your pet's kidneys. Don't ignore it if you find yourself filling the water bowl on a more regular basis as this period will eventually lead to a phase of weight loss and food pickiness if kidney disease is the issue. If you notice your pet drinking more water and urinating more for at least a week, you should definitlely take it to the vet for a kidney examination.

High blood pressure is a reality

Hyperthyroidism typically precedes the onset of kidney disease in pets, and the diseases are often known to occur concurrently. High blood pressure normally precedes the onset of both of these diseases, and if your kitty or dog is suffering from high blood pressure, you should definitely get a kidney test done. The issue is that most pet owners are unable to detect high blood pressure and the best way to keep an eye out for this is to visit the vet regularly.

Your pet is eating less

Reduced food consumption and accompanying weight loss is a sign that something is wrong even if that something is not kidney failure. When your pet starts eating lesser, the pet's coat will also reduce in shine and its luster will reduce. During this phase, the pet is also likely to play less, sleep more, and become far more lethargic. You should definitely rush your pet to the vet in case any of these symptoms are displayed for more than a week or two.

The pet has trouble urinating

If your pet is pooping a lot more, cries out while urinating, or struggles to urinate at all, it is a definite sign that something is up with the pet. More often than not, it is more likely to be a sign of urinary tract disease but it could also be a possible symptom on renal failure. If your cat or dog cries out while pooping, you should rush your pet to the vet immediately as it could be a symptom of a much larger problem.

This Is What Actually Happens To Your Dogโ€™s Body When Diagnosed With Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is a rather common disease among dogs, especially among older dogs. In fact, nine in every thousand dogs examined are diagnosed with it. If your beloved pooch is suffering from this debilitating disease, or you suspect that he/she is developing it, it helps to know what is really happening to them.

What causes kidney failure in dogs?

Kidney failure in dogs can have various causes. These include urinary blockage, where either the urinary tract or uterus is obstructed; kidney disease; certain prescription medication they have taken, or it may be hereditary. It could even be a side effect of other diseases like lymphoma and diabetes mellitus.

How does my dog feel when diagnosed with kidney failure?

Your dog will show certain symptoms if he/she is developing kidney failure. Some of these symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, or even lack of urination, mouth ulcers, bad breath, blood in urine, poor coat condition, constipation, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, weight loss, depression, lack of appetite, and seizures and comas.The symptoms listed above will not occur in every dog. They may vary depending on the breed of your dog, which stage of the disease they are on and many other factors.

Two types of kidney failure

Kidney failure in dogs is of two different types โ€“ chronic and acute. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two so your dog can receive appropriate treatments.

  • Chronic kidney failure: Chronic kidney failure takes time to develop. It builds up over the years, or maybe months, that by the time symptoms show, the disease would have already progressed.Some breeds have a predisposition to develop this disease, like the German Shepherd, Bull Terrier, Samoyed, Cairn Terrier and English Cocker Spaniel. This does not mean that all dogs under these breeds will one day suffer from chronic kidney failure. It just means they have higher chances than other dogs.Even though chronic kidney failure cannot be cured, its progression can be slowed down if effective treatment is taken on time.
  • Acute kidney failure: Contrary to chronic kidney failure, acute kidney failure appears suddenly as a response to something that happened to your dog, like what he/she ate, or did.Mostly, your dog will recover depending on the extent of damage done, the underlying cause, and the immediacy and effectiveness of treatment received. Your dog will have to be hospitalized for some days or weeks in intensive care.One way you can tell if your dog is making any progress is by checking his/her urine output. If urination falls under a healthy amount and frequency, it means your dog is recovering well. If it has low to no output at all, chances of recovery are low.
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