Sunday, 24 March 2013

How to Identify Kidney Disease in Dogs

By Geraldine Dimarco


A serious and common disease affecting a number of dogs is kidney disease. In older dogs it is probably one of the leading causes of death. Acute or chronic are the two forms that this disease can take. While the acute form happens very suddenly the chronic form starts slowly and gets worse with time. For the owner getting the news of either one is an upsetting thing.

The kidneys act as a filtration system for the body and an estimated seventy percent of their normal functioning is lost with this disease. Toxins and waste products get into the blood and build up when these do not work correctly. A variety of problems is caused by this and it eventually leads to death. Canine kidney disease has this sad outcome in reality and it is unfortunate.

As the toxins start building up in various organs, they start to 'shut down' that organ. The owner can notice the apparent symptoms in such cases. The kidney disease hinders the body from functioning properly and the warning signals become more obvious. The signs can vary between the two types of kidney disease. Sudden dehydration is a sign of acute kidney disease. If you gently pull the skin of the stomach on your pet and it doesn't spring back, then it could be that he or she is dehydrated.

You may have noticed your dog not wanting to pass urine or no urine production at all. This is also is a warning sign that your pet may be a victim of acute kidney disease. This disease can lead to your dog having extremely painful kidneys; or you may notice the animal moving with stiff legs or an arched back. These symptoms are signs for any dog owner to watch out for.

There are different symptoms shown with chronic kidney disease. Where they would usually gulp food they may begin to show signs of a decrease in appetite so drastic they do not want to eat. They could even stop eating all together. Weight loss will occur in time. An increase in thirst and the amount of water they drink will increase which is one of the first warning signs that the disease has begun. This signs are common with the condition. There may be an increase in the frequency of urination as the dog can lose bladder control. In some cases urination can become painful and often impossible with blood showing up in the urine. Any signs of urine symptoms, vomiting, lethargic or depressed in your pet should be treated as a warning sign and you should call your vet immediately since canine kidney disease is serious and can be deadly. It could be possible to get control over the disease if it is caught soon enough.

The treatment that a vet will start, for this very serious ailment, is typically four staged. The first step is to carry out a physical check up to eliminate other reasons for the symptoms. Next is the verification from the owner regarding the history and symptoms of this disorder. Then there will be tests - a blood test and finally a urine test to confirm the prognosis.




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