What Are the Causes of Renal Failure in Horses?

Renal failure happens in horses when the kidneys stop functioning properly. According to "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook," symptoms of renal failure in the horse do not appear until about 70 percent of the kidney has been damaged.

  1. Types

    • Horses suffer two types of renal failure: acute and chronic. The causes for each type are slightly different, but all causes result in shutting off blood flow to the kidneys.

    Toxins

    • Poisons that can cause both types of renal failure in horses include vitamin D overdose, heavy metals like selenium, blister beetles that can live in alfalfa hay, and poisonous plants like jimson or loco weed, withered red maple leaves and oleander.

    Acute Renal Failure Causes

    • Causes of acute equine renal failure include dehydration, blood loss due to injury, a ruptured bladder, kidney stones, excess hemoglobin coming out in the urine due to disease and exposure to poisons.

    Chronic Renal Failure Causes

    • Causes of chronic equine renal failure include ingesting poisons, kidney cancer, advanced kidney disease and complications from other illnesses such as nephritis (where the tubes in the kidneys become inflamed.)

    Speculation

    • According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the type of horse most prone to chronic kidney failure is a thoroughbred stallion over 15 years old.