The Symptoms of Renal Failure in Canines

Renal failure is a devastating diagnosis to any canine owner who probably never saw it coming. Symptoms are invisible to the naked eye until the kidneys have failed nearly 75 percent. Kidneys are made up of thousands of tiny nephrons that filter the blood. Some nephrons begin working at birth; others lie in waiting. Slowly, nephrons die off, and the reserves kick in until the nephron supply is depleted. When this happens, the kidney's fail and the canine succumbs to renal failure.

  1. Anemia

    • Kidneys help create red blood cells, according to WSU. Canines become anemic when renal failure prevents red blood cell production. Signs of anemia include pale gums, bruising, lethargy, weakness and instability. Primovic recommends blood work to assess blood platelet counts and abnormalities. Medication is prescribed to bring anemia under control, and restore the canine's appetite, healthy weight and skin and coat condition.

    Bad Breath

    • Take the expression "dog breath" one step further when looking for signs of renal failure. "Halitosis," the medical term for bad breath, may manifest as a rancid smell coming from your dog's mouth for extended periods of time. This symptom strongly suggests renal failure, warns PetEducation.com. The toxic build-up in the dog's bloodstream causes halitosis, as well as internal mouth ulcers on its cheeks, tongue and/or gums.

    Eating Disorders

    • Renal failure causes a toxic bloodstream, clogged with the waste product creatinine. Overall, the canine feels awful because its blood is not being properly filtered. Toxic waste not only leads to canine depression, but also nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Depression, coupled with the digestive issues, lead to anorexia. Dr. Debra Primovic reports on PetPlace.com that in severe cases, medications are prescribed to control nausea and restore the appetite.

    Polydipsia/Polyuria

    • Polydipsia means increased thirst, polyuria means increased urination. A canine is unable to conserve the water it drinks after approximately two-thirds of its nephrons have died off, explains Washington State University. The resulting vicious circle is increased urination as the water passes through the dog's body, and excessive drinking as the canine fights dehydration. Owners may also find blood in their dog's urine.

    Poor Coat/Skin

    • A canine stops taking care of itself as renal failure progresses. Renal failure deposits calcium and phosphorus into the canine's skin rather than filtering it out of the body. The canine's skin and coat suffer, and the dog's owner will notice an overall lack of hygiene, a loss of luster and sheen in the coat, and an itchy dog attempting to relieve the discomfort caused by the calcium and phosphorus deposits.