Kidney Disease

(Also known as “Renal Disease”)

What is Kidney Disease?

The kidneys help restrict and remove waste in the body by filtering the blood free of excess salts, metabolites and water. Basically, when a dog is subject to this disease his kidneys do not function properly and waste is not filter out of the body. There are two types this disease:

1. Acute: this means that there is a sudden severe onset of this disease.
2. Chronic: this means that the disease is ongoing and consistent for a period of time including, weeks, months, years, or the duration of the dog’s life.

Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms related to this disorder. Some however, they may or may not be specific to the disease itself. Some of these symptoms are as followed:

• weight loss
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• increased water consumption
• increased urination
• decreased urination
• lethargy
• blood in urine
• loss of appetite

Causes

This disease can be hereditary or passed on by the parents. There other causes as well however, that normally depend on the type of disease (acute or chronic) which include:

• cancer
• age
• bacterial infections
• autoimmune disease
• toxic reaction to medications
• abnormal deposits of protein within the kidneys
• parasites
• trauma to the kidneys

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for this disease regardless of type, typically involves:

• Change in diet
• Electrolytes
• Vitamins
• Fluid therapy
• Medication
• Antibiotics
• Kidney transplants

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Kidney Disease