Canine kidney disease and failure can range from something that takes a long time to develop to sudden onset. Because kidney disease can vary from treatable to irreversible, it is important to have your dog evaluated by a licensed vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the symptoms of canine kidney disease can help you determine when it is time to call the vet.
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Water Intake and Urination
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According to VetInfo.com, the most common symptoms of canine kidney problems is an increase in the amount of water your dog is drinking, as a well as an increase in the amount of urine produced. As the kidneys break down and problems develop, your dog’s body tries to find a way to make the kidneys more effective. The way the body does this is to increase the blood supply to them in an attempt to make them filter the waste products more effectively. This becomes a cyclical process. As the body increases blood flood, the kidneys produce more urine, which then leads to dehydration. To combat the dehydration, the body increases thirst. So your dog will begin to drink more to counteract the dehydration, which leads to an increase of urine.
An increase in thirst and urination are common in dogs suffering from chronic kidney failure, meaning kidney problems have developed over a long period of time. If, however, your dog is suffering from acute, or sudden onset, kidney failure, the opposite may be true. Often dogs with acute kidney failure refuse to drink and therefore urinate less frequently. Because of the lack of water consumption, your dog will likely become dehydrated. You can test for dehydration by pinching the skin on your dog’s stomach and pulling it away from his body. If the skin goes back to its original position immediately, your dog is not dehydrated. If it takes more than one to two seconds to return to its normal position, your dog is dehydrated.
Digestive Signs
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Dehydration can lead to digestive problems as well. Dehydration is a cause of both diarrhea and vomiting. Water is required to keep your dog’s body hydrated and in good working order. When water is missing from your dog’s daily life, the digestive system cannot function properly and can lead to runny stool or vomiting. Both of these digestive problems can also lead to more dehydration.
Weight Loss
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Because of the digestive problems your dog can develop, as well as a lack of desire to eat in general, weight loss is a common sign of kidney failure. If you notice your dog has become noticeably thinner or that your dog is not eating normally, discuss this with your vet. Although it may be a sign of another problem, weight loss is a common sign of chronic kidney failure, according to PetWellBeing.com.
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