The Prognosis of Kidney Disease in Dogs

Kidney disease is irreversible, just as most organ diseases, and the effects can be quite serious. Since the kidneys plays a role in removing wastes and toxins, a dog's health can deteriorate rapidly if they are not functioning properly. Fortunately, the prognosis for kidney disease is variable, depending on how far it has progressed before diagnosis and how old your dog is.

  1. Types

    • Kidney disease is a common affliction in dogs, especially as they age. There are two types: acute and chronic. Acute kidney disease develops quickly and displays severe symptoms, usually caused by toxicity. Chronic kidney disease usually develops more slowly and has symptoms that can initially be attributed to many illnesses. Common causes of kidney disease include age, infection, cancer, autoimmune diseases, trauma and poison.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of kidney disorder can mimic many other disorders, such as liver disorders and pancreatic diseases. Since they are generally nonspecific, your dog may display several or only a few signs. Your dog also may just show general signs of illness such as lethargy, decreased appetite and weight loss. Specific symptoms of kidney disease include increased thirst and urination or decreased or lack of urination, urinating at night, blood in urine, vomiting, diarrhea, hunched posture or reluctance to move, and an unhealthy coat appearance.

    Diagnosis

    • Kidney disease is usually diagnosed through a blood test or urinalysis. During examinations, veterinarians often find anemia, pain in the kidneys or irregular kidneys, ulcers in the mouth, swollen limbs and an enlarged abdomen in animals with kidney disease.

    Treatment

    • Though kidney transplants are occasionally done in pets, they aren't common. Most often, treatment include improving your dog's diet and treating the symptoms caused by kidney disease, such as nausea or diarrhea. The most important consideration is ensuring your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Since the kidneys are struggling, urine will be more concentrated and water is needed to flush through as much waste as possible. Giving your dog a high-quality, low-protein diet can also help.

    Prognosis

    • Kidney damage is irreversible, so your dog's kidneys will not restore proper functioning. However, degradation can take months or even years, so your pet many have many happy years ahead of him with proper treatment and diet.