Detecting kidney or renal failure in your dog can save your animal's life. Unfortunately, many people don't realize their dog's kidney problem until it is at an advanced stage. Recognizing all symptoms and signs of possible kidney problems can be critical to getting your animal to a veterinarian, who can provide the proper diagnosis and dispense early treatment to help prevent advanced stage renal failure.
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Increased Thirst
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One of the first signs of a kidney problem in a canine is increased thirst. Notice how much your dog is drinking and whether or not it has started drinking more than usual. Increased thirst may mean your animal is dehydrated due to the lack of proper absorption of nutrients.
Loss of Appetite
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As your animal develops a kidney problem, it may begin to eat less. Pay attention to how much your dog normally eats and notice whether its appetite drops off suddenly. If your dog hasn't eaten for more than 24 hours, it may need to visit the vet. Such behavior could be a sign that kidney problems are getting worse, and your pet may need fluid replacement therapy.
Increased Urination
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Increased urination could be a sign of improper toxin absorption via the kidneys. This causes the animal to urinate more frequently than normal. In addition to frequent urination, poor aim may also be a sign of a kidney problem, but this can be difficult to notice in some animals.
Poor Coat Quality
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Poor coat quality is a sign of kidney difficulties in many dogs. If your dog's coat is less shiny or seems to be more matted than usual, it can be a sign that your animal is not properly eliminating toxins from the bloodstream.
Depression
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Depression in animals can be difficult to detect as they tend to hide their illnesses. If your dog seems lethargic, depressed or less active than usual, it could be related to kidney problems, especially in relation to other symptoms of renal disorders. Other symptoms of depression in your animal could include increased aggressiveness or even hiding, depending on the normal sociability of your animal.
Bad Breath and Mouth Ulcers
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Bad breath may be hard to notice in dogs; however, particularly bad breath in your animal could be a sign of renal problems. Mouth ulcers can be a sign of advanced renal failure. Many mouth ulcers around the gums are caused by increased vomiting (see step below) and can prevent dogs from wanting to eat due to mouth pain. If you notice mouth ulcers in your dog, you should take it to your veterinarian for treatment.
Vomiting
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Frequent vomiting in dogs can be caused by a variety of health issues, but combined with other symptoms, particularly frequent urination, increased thirst and poor coat quality, can be a sign of renal problems. Take your animal to your veterinarian quickly if you notice frequent vomiting. An inability to keep any food or even liquids down this may be a sign of advanced renal complications.
Unexplained Weight Loss
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Weight loss can be associated with renal failure, particularly if you haven't noticed a marked change in food consumption. The dog loses the ability to absorb nutrients and therefore can begin to involuntarily lose weight.
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