Chronic kidney disease mainly occurs in older dogs, although it can develop in younger dogs as well. Early signs can appear in smaller dogs between ten to fourteen years old. Larger dogs might begin to show signs at an earlier age. The disease can lead to fatality within months after symptoms first appear.
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Causes
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Possible causes of chronic kidney disease include chronic bacterial kidney infections, acute kidney disease, high blood pressure, malformed kidneys due to birth defects, immune system diseases and aging. In healthy kidneys, not all nephrons, or microscopic kidney units, function at the same time. Damaged or aging kidneys cause nephrons to die, which forces all remaining nephrons to work harder and without rest. Symptoms begin to appear when no extra nephrons remain and severe kidney damage has already occurred. At this point, the cause of the disease can be difficult to assess.
Symptoms
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Common symptoms of chronic kidney disease include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness from anemia or low blood potassium, mouth ulcers, appetite and weight loss, depression, excessive drinking, frequent urination and pale gums. Bone fractures, itchy or bruised skin, sudden blindness due to high blood pressure and bleeding in the stomach can also occur, but are less common. Symptoms can develop gradually over a long period of time or occur suddenly in some cases.
Diagnosis
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Blood and urine tests can often be used to diagnose chronic kidney disease based on abnormalities such as increases in wastes or phosphorous. Elevated blood waste product and urine abnormalities can provide an estimate of the condition's severity. Biopsies can help determine the cause, especially in young dogs or breeds prone to congenital kidney disease such as cocker spaniels and bull terriers. Small kidney size, which shows up on x-rays or ultrasounds, can indicate chronic kidney disease. Bacterial cultures can identify infections in dogs with lowered immunity due to decreased kidney function.
Treatment
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Chronic kidney disease is not curable. Treatment focuses on helping the kidneys function more easily, decreasing waste accumulation and elevating low levels of substances such as potassium. Severe damage requires hospitalization to reduce waste through intravenous fluids and medications. Home care involves a carefully controlled diet and medications to improve quality of life and attempt to slow the progression of the disease. A kidney diet consists of high-quality food containing low amounts of protein and phosphorous. Medications can be used to control high blood pressure and reduce nausea and vomiting. Making sure your dog drinks plenty of water can prevent dehydration. Fluids can be injected under the skin if your dog isn't drinking enough.
Warning
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Reducing or preventing stress is crucial to your dog's health. Stress can lead to poor appetite and decreased water intake, which causes further damage to the kidneys. Causes of stress in individual dogs vary. Examples include fear of strangers, other animals and loud noises, such as thunder. Stress factors that affect dogs in general include exposure to extreme temperatures and certain medications, including prednisone, that force the kidneys to work harder.
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