A diagnosis of kidney disease in your dog can be frightening and upsetting. Kidney disease affects up to 10 percent of the canine population and is more common in older dogs. Kidney disease is a progressive condition that may remain undetected for a long period of time. While there is no cure for kidney disease, there are a number of ways to maintain the quality of life for afflicted dogs. Diet, supplementation, stress reduction, fluid therapy and pharmaceutical support are among the methods used to keep dogs more comfortable through the progression of this disease.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription kidney support diet or homemade kidney support diet
- Medications as prescribed by your veterinarian
Instructions
Support
Feeding your dog a supportive diet is crucial after a diagnosis of kidney disease has been confirmed. Dogs diagnosed with kidney disease should consume foods that are low in phosphorous and sodium. If your dog is suffering from malnutrition, it is important to provide high-quality protein sources such as eggs, poultry, meat, yogurt and cottage cheese. If you are purchasing a dog food rather than creating a homemade diet, you can buy prescription foods specifically formulated to support dogs living with kidney disease.
Providing adequate hydration for dogs with kidney disease is critical. Fresh, clean water should always be provided. If your dog is unable (or unwilling) to consume adequate fluids, supportive IV fluids should be administered. Administering subcutaneous (SQ) fluids can help to flush toxins from kidneys which are not functioning well, and can help prevent dehydration. Supportive SQ fluids can be administered at home by owners several times per week.
Providing Omega-3 fatty acids helps to reduce inflammation in your dog's body, including the kidneys. The best source of Omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil. Vitamins C, E and B-Complex, as well as CoQ10 have been shown to be beneficial to dogs suffering from kidney disease. Additionally, sodium bicarbonate is an inexpensive, easily accessible supplement that is beneficial when provided to dogs with renal failure.
Providing medications to support the various symptoms of kidney disease can help keep your dog more comfortable. ACE inhibitors and anti-hypertensives are commonly prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of kidney disease.
Creating, or maintaining, a stress-free environment for your dog is essential. Maintaining a supportive, calm, loving environment and keeping routines consistent will support your ailing dog when he is not feeling well. Acupuncture treatments can also help with stress reduction, as well as improve blood flow---and may even slow the progression of renal failure.