What Are the Treatments for Chronic Renal Failure in Labradors?

A Labrador's kidneys have multiple functions including filtering, eliminating waste, producing urine and regulating blood pressure. Kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is responsible for stimulating bone marrow into producing red blood cells. The kidneys also activate vitamin D to support calcium absorption from the digestive tract. As dogs grow older, they become susceptible to chronic renal failure. If this occurs, it is important to know the available treatment options for your Labrador.

  1. Fluid Therapy

    • Labradors with kidney disease often become dehydrated due to the loss of too much fluid through urine. The first course of action is intravenous fluid therapy along with nutritional therapy. This type of therapy helps ease the workload of the kidneys by diluting toxins in the kidneys. A diet that restricts the amount of protein, phosphorus and sodium the dog receives can also help manage kidney problems for your Labrador. Low-protein diets can lead to malnutrition, so consult with a veterinarian for proper supplements and advice.

    Dialysis

    • Dialysis is an expensive treatment for Labradors with kidney problems but is still a viable option. Dialysis treatment for pets is relatively new in the field of veterinary medicine. Only a few veterinary medical sites and universities throughout the U.S. offer this type of treatment. Dialysis diffuses toxins from the blood and returns the cleansed blood into the dog's body through a catheter. If treatment is to be ongoing, a catheter can be in place for several months. On average, dialysis treatment takes place three times per week, at a cost of about $500 per treatment, as of the time of publication.

    Continual Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

    • Continual Renal Replacement Therapy is similar to dialysis in that it is a blood filtration procedure. While dialysis removes toxins over a period of three to five hours, CRRT requires 24 to 48 hours to complete. CRRT treatments lead to fewer blood pressure issues than dialysis but sedation is often necessary. Since the catheter does not remain in place following treatment, fewer infections occur at the site of insertion.

    Kidney Transplant

    • Kidney transplants have been successful in humans and cats but less so in dogs. A limited number of facilities offer kidney transplants for dogs in the U.S. Following a transplant, immune-suppressive medications help prevent rejection of the new organ. This type of procedure is costly and so are the medications that the Labrador must take for the rest of his life. Kidney transplants are not typically a viable option, due to the high rate of failure in dogs.