Definition
Kidney failure refers to the sudden loss of a body’s ability to remove excess fluids, waste, and salts from the blood.
There are two types of kidney failure:
Chronic Kidney Failure occurs when your pet’s kidneys can no longer excrete waste products, produce hormones, and regulate the chemical composition of body fluids. As a chronic condition, this type of kidney failure causes the organ’s function to decrease slowly over a long period of time. Physical symptoms, outlined below, will appear gradually.
Acute Kidney Failure is a sudden decline in kidney function that causes changes in body chemistry such as alterations in fluid and mineral balances. These abrupt changes negatively affect almost every body system. Because of the rapid decline in kidney function, physical systems are more dramatic than with chronic kidney failure.
Causes
The most common cause of kidney failure is the organ’s wearing out with age. Kidney failure can also occur as a result of ingesting toxic substances, including antifreeze, some anti-inflammatory drugs and certain kinds of antibiotics. Some infections may also cause kidney function to decline.
Symptoms
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Excessive drinking
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Increased urination
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Lethargy
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Vomiting
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Bad breath
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Not eating for more than one day
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Weakness of lack of coordination when walking
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Depression
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Weight loss or wasting of muscle tissue
The list above is not inclusive of all potential symptoms, and not all of the symptoms need to be present for kidney failure to be diagnosed.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Laboratory tests are crucial to diagnosing both chronic and acute kidney failure and to rule out other diseases. Your veterinarian will take blood and urine samples from your pet to test for values related to different kidney functions and ensure that an infection is not causing the physical signs of kidney disease.
Acute kidney failure is potentially reversible, but chronic kidney failure is not. An acute kidney problem may become chronic. Pets experiencing chronic kidney failure may not respond to treatment or they may live several months or years. Your veterinarian will take into consideration your pet’s history, physical examination, and laboratory test results to determine if the animal is suffering from acute or chronic failure. A kidney biopsy may also be necessary in order to provide an accurate prognosis of your pet’s condition and life expectancy. Hospitalization may be required.
Treatment options
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Intravenous fluids
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Special diet to decrease protein and salt consumption
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High blood pressure medication
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Special diet and drug therapy to control vomiting and gastrointestinal problems
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Anemia medication
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Potassium supplements
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Hospitalization and supportive care
When your pet leaves the hospital, your veterinarian will want to keep a close eye on its condition with frequent blood and urine tests. Make sure you follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding medications and special diets. In some instances, you may need to administer subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids at home.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent kidney failure, but general recommendations include allowing your pet frequent opportunities to urinate, providing access to fresh, clean water at all times, and avoiding exposure to antifreeze by reducing the amount of unsupervised time your pet spends outdoors.
A pet’s kidneys will wear out over time due to the aging process. Chronic kidney failure is not preventable but the disease process can be slowed down when it is detected early. This is why it’s important to schedule routine examinations with your veterinarian that include blood and urine tests.
FAQ
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Are outdoor dogs and cats more likely to experience kidney failure? |
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A. |
Outdoor dogs and cats are more susceptible to kidney failure because they are more likely to ingest antifreeze, which is fatal even when ingested in small amounts. Because all breeds of dogs can be affected by kidney failure, your veterinarian may recommend blood work at an early age to establish baseline values. |
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Are all cats equally susceptible to kidney failure? |
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A. |
Cats are more likely than dogs to experience kidney failure and certain breeds are more likely to develop problems than others. These include Persians and Abyssinians. |
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Is kidney disease reversible? |
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A. |
In most cases, kidney disease is not reversible. Once kidney cells die, they do not regenerate. If the disease can be caught before cells die, it is possible to preserve adequate kidney function to preserve reasonable quality of life. |