Kidney failure in dogs means that the kidneys are failing to perform their designated jobs. As the body's filtration system, the kidneys normally filter the blood, send toxins and excess fluid to the urinary tract, and send clean blood back into circulation. Kidney failure does not mean that kidneys become inactive, but rather that they lose their effectiveness. This results in some serious symptoms, and eventually death.
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Increased Thirst and Urination
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One of the first signs of kidney failure in a dog is increased thirst, hunger and urination. As the kidneys fail at their filtration responsibilities, a dog's blood seeks to provide filtration in another way. Increased hydration dilutes the blood and lowers the concentration of toxins. Increased urination inevitably accompanies this increased thirst. Failing kidneys also affect a dog's ability to garner nutrition from food, so it will also grow increasingly hungry.
Blood in Urine
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Bloody urine signifies a problem in the dog's urinary tract, and can indicate kidney disease. As kidneys struggle and break down, they begin to bleed. Urine becomes tinged with red, and a dog may pass only blood in advanced stages of kidney disease.
Swelling of Kidneys and Extremities
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As the kidneys stop functioning, they begin to accrue fluid and swell. This results in a swollen, painful abdomen. The dog's extremities may also swell, as the blood stream retains liquid that should have been filtered into the bladder.
Vomiting and Anorexia
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This lack of filtration slowly poisons a dog's body and makes it weak. It becomes difficult for a dog to eat or keep down any food. This results in vomiting at first, and anorexia later, as a dog's body begins to accept the futility of eating. The anorexia leads to dramatic weight loss, and is one of the final stages of kidney disease.
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