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Your veterinarian has just told you that your beloved pet is
experiencing kidney failure. What does that mean for your dog and for
you as a pet owner as you care for him? Kidney failure means that the
kidneys are not functioning properly and are unable to remove waste
products from the blood in the body. This doesn’t mean that your pet is
unable to produce urine, which is a common misconception. In fact, a
dog that has failing kidneys might be producing large amounts of urine,
but the body’s wastes are not effectively eliminated.
The kidney’s primary function in the body is to help to maintain and
regulate chemicals in the blood, and is a filtering system for waste
products that come through the dog’s urine. When the kidneys aren’t
working as they should, the toxins in the blood will not be filtered
out. As a result, your dog’s survival is threatened by the buildup of
toxins and waste in his system.
The size of your dog may give you an idea of when your pet may
experience kidney difficulties. Large dogs may begin to have symptoms
as early as seven years of age, whereas smaller dogs don’t normally
experience them until between 10-14 years of age. It can be a normal
part of aging, so it is important to watch for signs that your pet is
uncomfortable.
What symptoms would you see if your pet has kidney failure or is in
the early stages? Your dog may have blood in his urine, be drinking
more water than usual (dehydration), vomiting, have loss of appetite,
be more lethargic than usual, experience diarrhea, have a stiff gait
when he walks, or you may see the condition of his coat diminish.
Urination can be a symptom too, but for every dog it is different. They
may urinate more than usual, less than usual, or you may see a complete
lack of urination.
If you suspect your dog is experiencing kidney failure, take him to
the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. There are two
phases of treatment.
The first phase is meant to kick start the kidneys. Large quantities
of fluids are fed to your dog intravenously. At the same time,
electrolyte replacement, primarily potassium, is taking place. One of
three things will happen after this first phase: 1) The kidneys will
function again and continue to do so for a varied amount of time, from
weeks to years. 2) The kidneys will function during the treatment, but
not after. 3) The kidneys won’t function at all.
The second phase of treatment may include a special diet, fluids
given at home, and medications. There are even a few veterinary medical
sites who offer kidney dialysis for dogs.
Many veterinarians will tell you that your dog could respond well to
treatment and could live up to four more years with the proper
treatment, and of course, a great big dose of love from you.
Joann Henry operates "Doggie Health Care" (www.DoggieHealthCare.com), which is a blog all about our beloved four legged family member's health. She loves to give away free stuff! If you sign up to receive her newsletter, not only will you get some free tips to keep your dog healthier, but FOR A LIMITED TIME, she'll give you a FREE ebook. For more information, please visit: www.DoggieHealthCare.com
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