Your dog's healthy kidneys perform many vital functions. But dogs suffering from acute kidney failure may experience sudden, rapid decline in kidney function that will need urgent veterinary care.
Kidney failure can occur suddenly or gradually over time. Acute kidney failure. Acute kidney failure has a sudden onset. If diagnosed quickly and treated aggressively it is potentially reversible.
Causes of Acute Kidney Failure in Dogs
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.
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.
The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
Is Dog Kidney Failure Painful? Kidney failure usually comes with a lot of pain. Most times we can see the signs; from the tremors to the vomiting and the loss of appetite. It is important that you prioritize your dogs' comfort.
After all treatments for kidney failure have been tried – and your dog is getting worse you may need to talk to your vet about Dog euthanasia. There are signs that your dog is really in distress – when the pain is constant when you are unable to soothe, and when eating and drinking stops.
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.
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.
Stages of Renal Failure in Dogs
It's best if some treatments are started when the pet is at a specific stage of chronic kidney disease. Median survival time for dogs in Stage 1 is more than 400 days, while Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days and Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days.
Left untreated, dogs in kidney failure will die, usually within a few days to a few weeks. Death is often preceded by loss of appetite, dehydration, weight loss, vomiting, and multi-organ failure.
Even dogs that have severe kidney failure may respond favorably to treatment and resume a normal quality of life after treatment.
Diarrhea/Constipation – The accumulation of toxins/waste can affect bowel movements as well. Because the kidneys aren't able to flush enough toxins into the urine, their body will try to rid itself of the toxins in their stool. This can create a gut imbalance that causes either diarrhea or constipation.
Chronic kidney failure can lead to tremors. So can neurological problems that may include inflammatory brain diseases. An Addisonian crisis, a condition related to an underactive adrenal gland, and demyelinating disorders may also lead to shaking in dogs.
When the kidneys can no longer efficiently remove waste products, these accumulate in the blood and cause some of the clinical signs of kidney disease, such as poor appetite, weight loss, increased thirst, and vomiting.
Animals are sometimes misdiagnosed with kidney disease based solely on laboratory findings rather than assessing the clinical symptoms in relation to the blood results. This is especially common with raw-fed dogs and cats, as discussed later in this article.
If acute renal failure worsens, the kidneys may stop working altogether and the dogs will not urinate at all. Bloodwork and urinalysis are commonly performed to diagnose kidney failure. In cases of acute kidney failure, blood work can show changes in the white blood cells, which fight infection and cause inflammation.
For dogs with renal health issues, feed them a diet of high-quality protein with low phosphorus and sodium, and added omega-3 fatty acids, such as a mix of good quality meat, veggies like bell peppers, and either a supplement of omega-3's or fish, flax, sardines, or anchovies.
Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure
Dental disease is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure in older dogs. Bacteria build up on your dog's teeth and enter the digestive system when eating and drinking. While your dog's kidneys are designed to filter waste, bacteria can lessen kidney function over time.
Symptoms of kidney failure include excessive thirst and an excessive volume of urine in the early stages. Later symptoms of acute kidney failure include lethargy, poor appetite, and vomiting. In severe kidney failure, the amount of urine may actually decrease, or the pet may stop making urine altogether.
After all treatments for kidney failure have been tried – and your dog is getting worse you may need to talk to your vet about Dog euthanasia. There are signs that your dog is really in distress – when the pain is constant when you are unable to soothe, and when eating and drinking stops.
If acute renal failure worsens, the kidneys may stop working altogether and the dogs will not urinate at all. Bloodwork and urinalysis are commonly performed to diagnose kidney failure. In cases of acute kidney failure, blood work can show changes in the white blood cells, which fight infection and cause inflammation.