One the clearest, most obvious signs of kidney failure in dogs is increased thirst. A dog that spends more time at a water dish may be trying to tell you something. Your dog will also need to go out more often since the need to urinate increases as kidney disease progresses. Other signs of kidney, or renal, failure include vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite. If you suspect your dog may have a kidney problem, then a visit to the veterinarian is imperative.
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Examination
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A veterinarian will examine your dog to rule out other diseases that have the same symptoms as does kidney failure. Your regular vet should have your dog&'s history already in his database. In this case, he will conduct what is called a "history of present illness," an interview with you to ask pointed questions about the dog&'s regular habits and how they have changed. You will be asked if there has been any sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea, and the vet will perform a complete physical. He will palpate the dog&'s stomach and kidney area, listen to his heart, note his respiration rate, and check his eyes, ears, and throat. The cost of a complete physical performed by a veterinarian ranges, depending on what area of the country in which you live, and it also varies from practice to practice. Veterinarians may charge anywhere from $50 to $350 for this service.
Testing
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Your veterinarian will first test your dog&'s blood and urine. Some tests can be done "in house"--that is, using testing and analyzing equipment in a clinic. Other tests need to be sent to outside laboratories. The expense of these tests depends upon whether the test is being done at the clinic or at an outside laboratory. The test that your veterinarian will most likely order is known as the B.U.N. Creatinine. B.U.N. is medical shorthand for "blood, urine, and nitrogen." This test measures the amount of urea present in the bloodstream. If the levels are too high, it means the kidneys are having trouble functioning. The cost of these tests is about $100.
Hospitalization
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Special dog diets are recommended for dogs with renal failure. If the kidney failure is very severe, the vet may recommend an overnight stay in the hospital. Your dog may be hooked up to an intravenous line so as to get electrolytes and fluids into him right way. Different clinics charge different prices for overnight stays in the hospital, but most vets charge in the area of $45 to $50 per day, depending upon the severity of the illness. The IV lines, fluids, and other equipment and medications will be extra.
Home Health
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There are two scenarios in which you may be able to care for your dog at home. Your dog may have spent the night in the hospital and be stable but still in need of fluids, or she may not be sick enough to stay in the hospital but is still in need of subcutaneous fluids. If you feel you are capable of tending to your dog&'s medical needs, you will be sent home with several bags of electrolyte fluids, lines, and needles. You will be asked to hang the bag up high, attach the line to the bag, attach the needle to the line, and insert the needle under your dog&'s skin dorsally. Fluids will then be administered subcutaneously, which will support your dog&'s kidneys. The cost of the bags runs approximately $10 to $15 per bag, and you will need to give your dog one to two bags per day, on your doctor&'s orders. Most veterinarians do not charge for the incidentals such as needles and lines.
Diet
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Once a diagnosis of kidney failure is confirmed by clinical observation and testing, the doctor may order a special diet. Several pet food companies manufacture specially-compounded products that support kidney health. Some of these foods are sold under the brand name of Hills K/D, Purina Canine N/F, and several others. These special formula foods come as canned food or dry and usually sell for about $1.70 to $2 per can and for approximately $80 for a 40-pound bag. Again, the prices of these items depend upon your locale and the retail markup.
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