Uremic Crisis in Canine Kidney Failure

Canine kidney failure shows many of the same symptoms as a urinary tract infection although it is a much more serious condition. The signs can be very subtle, getting progressively worse very quickly. A uremic crisis, or blood poisoning, in canine kidney failure is advanced renal failure, a condition more commonly seen in older dogs. Uremia is a cause of uncompensated kidney failure, where your dog can no longer drink enough water to flush waste materials out of the body; the poisonous waste products accumulate in the body, and body fluids and electrolytes are not kept in balance. This can be a life threatening condition, requiring immediate attention and hospitalization.

  1. Uremia

    • A uremic crisis is present when kidney failure is in its advanced stage and cannot filter urea (body waste) through the kidneys, causing blood poisoning. Once the function of the kidney tissue has been reduced by about 75 percent, the kidney can no longer concentrate the urine in order to eliminate nitrogenous waste products from the blood. Uremia is the result of these toxic waste accumulations in the body. The kidneys have lost the ability to regulate the concentration of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, phosphate and other electrolytes in your dog's body fluids. Your dog may also become anemic due to insufficient production of red blood cells.

    Signs of Uremia

    • Signs of a uremic crisis will be lethargy, lack of co-ordination, loss of appetite, vomiting, mouth and limb swelling, sores or abscesses in the mouth, extreme bad breath, dehydration and anorexia.

    Causes

    • Petwave.com states that the actual cause for chronic renal failure and uremic crisis due to uremia is not conclusively determined. Dogs of advancing age are more prone to the disease and genetics also seem to play a role. Any age, breed and gender can develop chronic renal failure. There are other contributing factors to uremic crisis and renal failure such as poisons that are destructive to kidney cells, congenital kidney disorders and prior episodes of acute renal failure, chronic urinary tract obstruction, nephrotoxicity caused by drugs, polycystic kidney disease, lymphoma and possibly diabetes mellitus.

    Treatment

    • Treatment objective is to alleviate the signs and symptoms of uremia and uremic crisis in canine kidney failure. Hospitalization would be necessary as the medical team can begin aggressive intravenous fluid therapy. It is critical to flush the toxic waste accumulation from your dog's system. Once the dehydration has been corrected, fluids can continue subcutaneously. Medications may be prescribed if there is gastric acidity, hypertension and anemia. If dialysis is available, the procedure can lengthen your dog's life with more comfort. Your main goal in getting treatment for your dog is to maintain the best quality of life.

    Home Care

    • Your veterinarian may require that you continue subcutaneous fluids at home for your dog. In order to prevent the uremic crisis and build up of harmful urea, a dietary change is suggested as per vetinfo.com. A reduction of high proteins, phosphate and sodium while supplementing omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin D is the basis of the renal failure diet. As always, be sure your dog also has plenty of water available at all times.