L’renal insufficiency in dogs it is a pathology that should not be underestimated because it represents the most widespread cause of death in the elderly four-legged friend.
Being difficult to cure, especially in the more advanced state, prevention plays a fundamental role and gives the animal a good life expectancy. There is no definitive cure that can solve the problem, but certainly, if diagnosed in time, renal failure can be kept under control.
What are the kidneys for?
Before going into the subject, we want to briefly explain what the kidneys are for.
The kidneys are very important organs for the multiple functions they perform:
- They remove metabolites from the blood (waste products which, if not eliminated, cause toxicity);
- Regulate sodium and potassium levels;
- They filter nutrients;
- They regulate blood pressure;
- They form urine.
What is renal failure in dogs?
Renal failure in dogs mainly affects older or older dogs, where the vital organs are weighed down by the years and the body’s reaction is no longer as good as when you are young.
With good therapy and timely diagnosis, if it is not chronic by now, the disease can be reversed and ensure the animal a good survival, without pain or imminent death.
Renal insufficiency in dogs clearly affects the kidneys, which are very important organs for the health of the whole organism. All the activities performed by the kidneys are performed by the nephrons and when one of these is damaged, there is no way to fix the situation. In fact, they are cells that are not able to repair themselves and therefore give rise, first to an inflammatory state, then to scar tissue.
So the other nephrons begin to do the work even for the damaged ones, wearing themselves out over time. This explains why renal failure, which originates from this chain process of deterioration of the nephrons, affect the elderly.
How can the disease be diagnosed?
Renal failure in dogs is diagnosed by urinalysis, specifically by studying the presence of protein in the urine.
This would mean that the kidneys are not filtering properly and therefore the proteins are being eliminated instead of being absorbed.
How do you know if your dog has kidney failure?
Depending on the type of kidney failure, symptoms can present in a different way improvise (acute) o gradual (chronicle).
At the beginning, since the percentage of damaged nephrons is very low, the four-legged presents symptoms that are really difficult to recognize, such as a slight increase in urine. This sort of asymptomatic makes it difficult to diagnose early renal failure, which is most often recognized in an advanced stage.
Along with polyuria, there is also an increased need to drink more frequently over time. Especially at night, urinary incontinence can occur, which is combined with dehydration and excessive weight loss. You can also present:
Symptoms of end stage renal failure in dogs
In the terminal phase, moreover, yes stops the production of erythropoietinthat hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells.
Then there is anemia and lethargy, the kidneys become enlarged and the pressure rises considerably. With the worsening of these symptoms comes death from total failure of the kidneys.
How to deal with dogs with kidney failure?
Unfortunately, in the chronic phase there is no therapy that can save an elderly dog from renal insufficiency, however there are treatments that can keep renal insufficiency under control and guarantee the animal a long survival and slow down the progression of symptoms.
Renal failure in dogs is monitored by measuring blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. In this way, the most suitable pharmacological therapy is chosen, aimed at regulating blood pressure and anemia.
For this reason it is necessary that dogs that have renal insufficiency undergo visits and tests constantswhich can indicate the values of these substances in the blood and urine.
What can a dog with kidney failure eat?
Nutrition also plays a fundamental role in controlling the elderly dog’s renal insufficiency and in maintaining its health, prolonging life expectancy as much as possible. Here’s what a senior dog with kidney failure should eat.
Limit protein and phosphorus
The most important thing, as far as the diet is concerned, is to limit the intake of proteins and phosphorus, in order to don’t put additional strain on the kidneysalready called to work in a rather stressful way.
Integrate the Omega3
The addition of Omega 3 is essential, because they are very useful fatty acids for lowering creatinine levels and strengthening the arteries.
It also helps fight inflammation and prevent the formation of kidney stones. The best thing is to rely on the opinion of the veterinarian, who will be able to indicate the right brand of croquettes.
In fact, using a commercial food ensures the supply of everything needed to contribute to a suitable diet for an elderly animal with renal insufficiency, because they are specifically designed for these specific cases.
Seek veterinary advice
If you want, opt instead for a homemade diet for the elderly dog with renal insufficiency, never rely on DIY.
Ask your doctor to prescribe the right diet to follow, so that he can calculate, with knowledge of the facts, the right amount of each food and the vitamin intake.
How long can a dog with kidney failure live?
L’life expectancy of a dog with renal insufficiency depends on several factors such as the severity of the disease, the general health of the pet, age and access to appropriate veterinary care.
Kidney failure in dogs is a chronic and progressive disease which means it will get worse over time and it cannot be healed. However, with the right management and care, a dog with kidney failure could live for years. This usually requires proper diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, renal blood flow therapy, anemia treatments, and other medical interventions to prevent disease progression and manage symptoms.
It is important for dog owners suffering from kidney failure to work collaboratively with a veterinarian to develop an appropriate treatment plan and to monitor their four-legged friend’s health on a regular basis.
How does a dog with kidney failure die?
Kidney failure in dogs can be caused by many reasons including aging, congenital kidney disease, intoxication, infections and autoimmune diseases. The progression of renal failure varies between animals and depends on the severity of the disease and the medical care provided. In general, the death of the dog with renal failure could be caused by a number of complications related to the disease, including:
- Anemia: as it causes a reduction of red blood cells, causing anemia. This can lead to weakness, shortness of breath and even death.
- Hypertension: Kidney failure can cause blood pressure to rise, which damages other organs such as the heart and lungs.
- Accumulation of toxins: The disease could lead to a buildup of waste products and toxins in the blood, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and confusion.
- Dehydration: Kidney failure causes a reduction in water in the body, causing dehydration and symptoms such as lethargy, dry mouth, and decreased urine output.
In general, dogs with kidney failure can die from complications of the disease such as those described above or a combination thereof. It is important to note that euthanasia should be considered as an option if your dog is in pain and treatment is unable to alleviate his condition or improve his quality of life.
Article reviewed by
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant