While a diagnosis of renal disease or failure can usually be made based on physical examination, in addition to the blood and urine tests. Other tests may also be performed to check for underlying causes for renal disease and/or to discover which stage of renal disease your dog is experiencing.
Signs of acute kidney failure in dogs will come on quickly, usually within a couple of hours or days of ingesting the toxin. If your dog is experiencing acute kidney failure, you might notice one or more of these symptoms: Lethargy. Increase or decrease in volume of urine.
Other blood tests that can help diagnose pets with kidney failure include measuring blood levels of phosphorus and calcium. Phosphorus, in particular, tells us about the severity of kidney issues since it elevates when the kidneys are severely damaged.
Treatment for Kidney Failure in Dogs
That said, if spotted early, milder cases of acute kidney failure may be treated with fluids, antibiotics and medications without the need for hospitalization. In some cases dialysis may be recommended to treat acute renal failure in dogs.
PROGNOSIS. Prognosis is associated with severity of disease. Studies have shown shorter median survival times in dogs with higher IRIS stages. Median survival time for IRIS Stage 1 dogs was over 400 days, Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days, Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days, and Stage 4 ranged from 14 to 80 days.
Kidney function may suddenly decrease (within hours or days). This is known as acute kidney failure or acute renal failure, and is most often related to infections or toxins.
Stage 1 Kidney Disease
In stage one, there is a small amount to no protein in the urine, and the pup typically maintains normal blood pressure. However, diagnostic tests may indicate abnormalities in the urine concentration or irregular kidney palpation. Most dogs do not present with symptoms during this stage.
Yes, kidney failure in dogs can be painful. Kidney failure in dogs can be painful because the kidneys are responsible for filtering body waste and toxins. When they fail, these toxins build up in the bloodstream and can cause discomfort and pain.
Summary of Kidney Failure in Dogs
There are two different types – acute and chronic kidney failure. Acute kidney failure happens suddenly, and if caught and treated quickly, can be reversed. While there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, symptoms can be minimized with fluid therapy and diet changes.
Each case should be treated aggressively and monitored closely. Even dogs that have severe kidney failure may respond favorably to treatment and resume a normal quality of life after treatment.
How is Kidney Disease Typically Diagnosed? Following a physical examination of your pet, a veterinarian will run blood tests and a urinalysis. If there is kidney disease, a blood chemistry panel will typically show increased levels of substances called blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
Breed: Some dog breeds, including English Cocker spaniels, bull terriers and German shepherds, are more likely to develop particular types of kidney disease. Learn more about a very special German shepherd named Buddy that was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Initial identification tests for diagnosis usually range from $200-750. Long-term management of chronic kidney failure may range from $100-500 a month, depending on what medications are prescribed and how often fluid therapy is needed.
Typically, green urine indicates late-stage kidney failure, cancer of the kidneys, or extremely severe urinary tract infection.
Kidney Disease or Kidney Failure
In kidney (also called renal) disease, the kidneys don't work correctly which leads to their being unable to filter toxins out of the bloodstream as they would typically. This condition will lead to the water balance in your dog's body being off, causing him to drink more.
In severe kidney failure, the amount of urine may actually decrease, or the pet may stop making urine altogether. Other signs as things get worse include digested blood in the stool making the stool look black and tarry, or vomiting digested blood, which looks like coffee grounds.
Kidney disease in dogs isn't super common, but the odds of your dog acquiring this health condition can creep up as he gets older. But just like kidney disease in cats, you and your veterinarian can treat chronic kidney disease so your dog can live on for years after the diagnosis.
Blood and urine tests are used to diagnose acute kidney failure and to assess the severity of disease. Other tests, such as radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound and special blood tests are usually necessary to help determine what might have caused the kidney failure. Sometimes a biopsy of the kidney is recommended.
These diets are formulated to help dogs with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. Examples include Hill's® Prescription Diet® k/d®, Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine Renal Support, Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function®, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Adult Health-RSS™.
Common Causes of Kidney Disease in Dogs
One is acute, or sudden, which usually occurs after a pet ingests a toxin like antifreeze or certain prescription medications. Other causes of acute renal failure include severe urinary tract infections and decreased blood and oxygen flow to the kidneys.
In addition to feeding a lower protein diet, you also need to avoid giving high protein treats such as meat, jerky treats, cheese, rawhides, pig ears, etc.
However, if their normal breath smell changes and becomes excessively bad it can often be a sign of an underlying problem. There are a number of different possible causes of bad breath in your dog, but the most common are kidney disease, liver disease, and oral health issues.
Excessive urea (called uremia) can cause the dog's breath to smell like ammonia, urine or even “fishy” when they exhale. Other signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea and in later stages anemia (pale gums and weakness).
GRAPES & RAISINS: Grapes and raisins (and even currants) can cause quite a severe toxicity in dogs. If even a small amount is ingested, they could go into acute kidney failure. Other common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, and abnormal drinking or urination.