Acute kidney failure or acute renal failure—ARF—can occur in all dogs, but the problem is more common in older dogs and in dogs that roam freely. ARF is a life-threatening condition. Typically acute, or sudden, kidney failure is caused by toxins, infection or medications. Although some dogs survive ARF if they are treated quickly and appropriately, about 60 percent of dogs do not. Dogs that survive will need four to 12 weeks to recover their kidney function.
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Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
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Aminoglycoside antibiotics are macrolide antibiotics that are used to treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections. Common aminoglycoside antibiotics include amikacin, gentamycin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin and tobramycin. The drugs are known to be highly toxic; kidney function must be monitored regularly when these drugs are administered. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are administered by injection or intravenously.
Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure
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Symptoms of ARF are the same as those of chronic renal failure and include thirst, increased urination, inability to retain urine, difficulty urinating, lack of coordination, dehydration, weight loss, loss of energy, seizures, bad breath, mouth ulcers, pale gums, diarrhea, a stiff-legged walk or arched back, depression, vomiting and loss of appetite. Symptoms typically do not show up until the dog has already lost 75 percent of kidney function. A dog with any of these symptoms requires veterinary care immediately.
Treatment
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Blood tests and a urinalysis will determine the extent of the kidney failure. The veterinarian will administer intravenous fluids to relieve dehydration and wash toxins out of the kidneys and treatments to correct electrolyte imbalances. The veterinarian may also want X-rays, an ultrasound, and a kidney biopsy. If the dog is producing no urine, the veterinarian may perform peritoneal dialysis by placing a sterile solution into the dog’s abdomen to remove waste products from the blood. The solution is then removed from the abdomen. The dog will probably have to be hospitalized for these treatments.
Dietary Considerations
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Dogs with kidney failure require a special diet that reduces the amount of waste products of digestion that the kidneys must process. The veterinarian will recommend a prescription diet or will provide recipes for making special foods at home that are easily digested and low in protein and certain minerals, substances that are difficult for the kidneys to handle.
Complications
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Kidney failure causes an increase in stomach acid leading to gastritis and vomiting. Like humans, dogs with these problems are treated with antacids and anti-emetics, medications that control vomiting. Kidney failure can raise blood pressure, which is treated with anti-hypertensive drugs. A high phosphorus level, which leads to poor appetite and low energy, can be reduced by using oral phosphate binders to decrease intestinal absorption of the element. Anemia can be treated with drugs that increase red cell production.
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