Kidney disease and kidney failure is not uncommon in geriatric dogs. The kidneys lose their ability to filter out toxins through the urine. The dog will start drinking more water in an attempt to dilute the urine, but in advanced kidney failure, this doesn't work. The dog feels nauseated and ill. A kidney diet won't cure kidney disease, but can make the dog feel better.
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Effects
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As the kidneys fail, levels of toxins such as urea and nitrogen build up in the blood. Take your older dog to the veterinarian to have a diagnostic blood panel done. This will identify kidney problems in the early stage. The primary early symptom of kidney disease is increased drinking and urination, but this is easily missed by dog owners. As the disease progresses, symptoms include lethargy, unwillingness to eat because of nausea, weight loss, vomiting and constipation.
Dietary Management
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Sheri Ross, DVM, states that dietary management is the "cornerstone of therapy" for managing the symptoms of kidney failure. Feeding a kidney diet provides proper nutrition by minimizing symptoms because of toxin buildup and can slow the progression of kidney failure. Dietary management works best in conjunction with medical management to maintain proper protein, mineral and electrolyte levels in the blood and to quell symptoms that are making the dog miserable.
Features
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A diet for kidney failure has several components. It contains restricted potassium and sodium, and high fat for palatability, energy and weight gain, especially in geriatric dogs who are unwilling to eat much because of nausea. Most kidney management diets are relatively low in protein, although this is controversial.
Protein
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While it's generally agreed that lower protein helps with many of the symptoms of kidney failure, Dr. Ross asserts no studies have concluded that lower protein actually slows progression of the disease, At the end stages of kidney failure, low protein diets may actually be harmful because they can retard wound healing, lower immune functioning and decrease muscle tone.
Types
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Most veterinarians sell prescription diets for the management of kidney disease, and most senior or geriatric "life stage" foods are lower in phosphorus and protein. Because adequate water intake is very important for kidney-impaired dogs, many of the prescription foods are available in canned formulas as well as dry. You can also make a homemade diet for a dog with failing kidneys, although this should only be done under the supervision of a vet or veterinary nutritionist.
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