Renal failure in pets is a common problem. In dogs, renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to function normally. Since kidneys are extremely important for the functioning of the normal bodily activities, their impairment can be extremely dangerous.
Kidneys are essentially made up of thousands of nephrons. These nephrons are tiny funnel-shaped cells that help filter out blood and remove all wastes from it. The kidneys are also important for maintaining the water and electrolyte balance in the body. They also produce hormones like erythropoietin, which is associated with the production of red blood cells.
There are two types of renal failure: acute and chronic. While cats usually suffer from chronic renal failure, dogs usually experience acute renal failure.
Acute renal failure in dog is usually caused due to a toxic injury sustained by the kidneys. If there is a problem in blood circulation, and the kidneys do not receive the necessary amount of blood needed to keep the organs functioning well, this could cause renal failure. Damage to the kidneys due to stones, infections, or a ruptured bladder, which causes hindrance in the process of elimination, are other causes of renal failure in dogs.
Renal failure can occur in any breed of dogs, with older animals being more susceptible to it. The symptoms of the disease are very severe but are not always specific. Renal failure, both chronic and acute, is an extremely serious disorder and may even cause the death of your pet.
Disorientation, lethargy, loss of energy, weakness, lack of coordination, problems in urination, loss of appetite, and a noticeable change in the pattern of water consumption are some of the symptoms of renal failure that you should look out for.
In acute renal failure, these symptoms would be visible as soon as the kidney gets damaged. However, in chronic renal failure, the kidneys keep sustaining damage for a long time before the symptoms begin to appear. By the time the first symptom appears the kidney loses about 75% of its functioning. The diagnosis is therefore done by lab testing. The specific gravity of the urine is measured in order to determine the ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. Blood tests may also be run on the dog to confirm renal failure. Renal failure cannot be cured. The only way to treat it is to slow down the progression of the disease, and to help alleviate the symptoms that the dog may be suffering from because of the disease.
