Kidney insufficiency in dogs
Along with the liver, the kidneys are among the most important detoxification organs in the body. If they no longer function properly, metabolic waste products and toxins are no longer fully excreted and accumulate in the body. Kidney insufficiency in dogs is a serious condition that can affect both young and older dogs. There are also dog breeds with a genetic predisposition (e.g., Bernese Mountain Dog) that are more likely to develop kidney insufficiency.
Here’s what you need to know: prevention is the best treatment, because through regular check-ups with your veterinarian, the disease can be detected and treated early . With a →healthy and balanced diet and a high-quality food you pave the way for your four-legged friend to have a happy and long life. Healthy doesn’t have to be complicated: whether dry food, wet food, or BARF – our Pets Deli food is packed with high-quality meat, vegetables, and fruit as well as essential vitamins, minerals, and oils. Sugar, grains, or artificial additives? Not a chance!
Our dog food: healthy, honest, delicious.
Causes: What leads to kidney insufficiency in dogs?
The causes of kidney insufficiency are very diverse, so kidney tissue can be damaged in many different ways. Possible causes include:
Kidney infections
Blockage of the urinary tract by bladder stones or tumors
Poisoning from →toxic foods such as grapes
Kidney tumors
Congenital diseases
Secondary disease from an existing condition such as heart failure or diabetes
Is your dog unusually calm, lethargic, and eating poorly? Then head to the vet! The earlier illnesses are detected, the better the chances of recovery.
Symptoms and treatment of acute kidney insufficiency in dogs
In acute kidney insufficiency, there is a sudden deterioration in kidney function. The impairment of the kidneys is varied in severity and can also be only temporary. A mild kidney insufficiency may impair kidney function, but the effects are not as severe as in true kidney failure. As a result, urinary, toxic substances (urea, creatinine, etc.) often remain in the body because the filter function of the kidneys usually no longer works properly. This can lead to damage to other organs in the body.
Symptoms of acute kidney insufficiency
The symptoms of acute kidney damage are:
Loss of appetite
Apathy
Seizures
little to no urination or suddenly excessive urination
If your dog already has a chronic condition, is under a lot of stress, or may have eaten something toxic, you should seek veterinary care promptly if one or more of these symptoms occur. To prevent more serious consequences and help your pet recover quickly, veterinarians will usually begin treatment immediately.
Diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney insufficiency
At the veterinary clinic, in addition to a physical examination, a blood and urine analysis will be performed. This will reveal typical changes in the blood and possible clues to the cause of the kidney damage. X-rays and ultrasound exams are usually also performed to assess the current condition of the kidneys and identify possible triggers for the kidney damage.
Ideally, the examinations will reveal the main cause of the acute kidney insufficiency, so your pet can be treated as precisely as possible. If it is a bacterial infection, it will be treated with a suitable kidney-friendly antibiotic. If bladder stones are blocking the urinary tract, they must be surgically removed once your pet is stable again. At the same time, the elimination of toxins is accelerated and, if necessary, the concentration of the toxin in the body is diluted.
The good news: If acute kidney insufficiency is recognized and treated in time, it can completely heal. Even with a (temporary) adjusted diet by feeding a special kidney-friendly food you can support your pet’s recovery.
Supporting you during treatment: Pets Deli VET
Symptoms and treatment of chronic kidney insufficiency in dogs
If there is kidney damage and it remains undetected or untreated, the main functions of the affected kidney or kidneys will continue to deteriorate, which can eventually lead to secondary diseases and impairment of other organs and systems in your dog’s body.
Common consequences of chronic kidney insufficiency in dogs are:
The retention of urinary, toxic substances in the body, because the filtering function of the kidneys is impaired. Instead, urea is excreted through the stomach and oral mucosa, causing a urine-like odor in the mouth as well as gastritis.
A reduction in the hormonal activity of the kidney, which in turn reduces the production of red blood cells and can, in the worst case, lead to anemia.
Due to increased urination, nutrients are flushed out of the body and this can lead to a nutrient deficiency.
An overproduction of blood pressure-regulating hormones, which can cause kidney-related high blood pressure (renal hypertension).
Fewer precursors of vitamin D are processed, which can lead to a vitamin D deficiency.
Symptoms of chronic kidney insufficiency
Unfortunately, chronic kidney insufficiency often remains undetected for a long time, as the visible symptoms usually appear very late or are only noticeable in exceptional situations, e.g., when your dog is very stressed or exerted. Depending on the progression of the disease, different symptoms can appear with varying intensity:
increased drinking
increased urination
sudden nighttime house soiling
nausea, vomiting
loss of appetite
fatigue
pale mucous membranes (e.g., in the mouth)
→bad breath, changes in the gums
in advanced stages, trembling, epileptic seizures
If a chronic kidney insufficiency goes untreated, it can become life-threatening. If you notice behavioral changes in your pet, it’s better to have them checked by a veterinarian one time too many. If treatment is started in time, dogs with chronic kidney insufficiency can still live well and for a long time.
Is your dog showing unusual behavior? At the practice, your dog will receive a thorough check-up and an appropriate treatment will be initiated.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney insufficiency
In practice, the attending veterinarians will take a closer look at your pet. In addition to a physical examination, a comprehensive blood test will be performed as well as a urine test carried out. If necessary, x-rays or ultrasound may be needed to get a current picture of the kidneys and other organs as well as bone substance and to identify possible causes. This also rules out that it is not "just" an acute kidney insufficiency.
Since the disease often remains undetected for so long, your dog must first be brought to a stable condition. For this, an infusion for electrolyte balance and for flushing out toxins may be necessary, as well as the administration of medication for symptoms such as vomiting and pain.
Since chronic kidney insufficiency cannot be cured and the damaged kidney tissue unfortunately can no longer be "repaired", therapy is used to counteract the progression of the disease as much as possible, and thus ensure your pet has the best possible quality of life.
To achieve this, 3 key points are part of the therapy:
Constant access to fresh water and adequate fluid intake (even with incontinence).
Regular administration of kidney-friendly medications as well as regular check-ups by veterinarians.
A special kidney diet with highly digestible protein from high-quality sources and low phosphate.
A kidney-friendly diet is part of the therapy for (chronic) renal insufficiency in dogs. Discuss this with your veterinarian.
The right diet for kidney insufficiency
If your dog suffers from chronic kidney disease, you can help by switching to a special kidney diet, for example by feeding our →"Vet" Liver & Kidney Fit to relieve the already damaged kidneys and thus significantly support your pet’s well-being. Even if you want to help your pet as quickly as possible, you should ensure a →gradual transition to the new special kidney diet food.
Some pets suffer from nausea and loss of appetite due to the chronic illness. To make the food more appealing to your dog, you can warm it up a bit and offer smaller portions several times a day. Some dogs also prefer home-cooked food. After consulting with nutrition experts you can also cook for your sick pet yourself to stimulate their appetite again.
You should also ensure adequate fluid intake and regular check-ups by veterinarians.
What is the life expectancy of a dog with chronic kidney insufficiency?
The good news is: Even though the disease is not curable, with individualized treatment and an adapted diet your dog can live a long and happy life. Acute flare-ups are unfortunately always possible, but the earlier these are detected and treated, and the more consistently the therapy is followed overall, the more comfortable your pet will be.
