Renal insufficiency in dogs
You should never take renal insufficiency in dogs lightly. The kidneys are particularly important for removing toxins from the body. They are also essential for the regulation of the water balance and for the production of the hormones erythropoietin and renin, which are required for the production of red blood pigment and the regulation of blood pressure respectively. In the case of renal insufficiency, at least one of the two kidneys no longer works adequately, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Symptoms of renal insufficiency in dogs
The symptoms of renal insufficiency in dogs are initially rather unspecific. For example, the onset of kidney dysfunction can initially be characterised by vomiting, loss of appetite and increased tiredness or listlessness. At a more advanced stage, you can often observe twitching and cramps in your dog. A change in drinking behaviour and, as a result, urination is also noticeable.
Some dogs tend to drink significantly less water than usual, while others are the exact opposite and empty one water bowl after another. If a dog's renal insufficiency remains undetected and untreated, it can eventually lead to total kidney failure, in which your dog stops producing urine completely.
Can renal insufficiency in dogs be recognised by smell?
Yes, advanced kidney failure in dogs can also be recognised by the fact that your dog tends to have an unpleasant mouth odour. However, please note that a bad mouth odour alone is not a clear sign of kidney damage. There are many different causes that can be responsible for the mouth odour, which is why you should consider the whole situation in context.
The right food for dogs with kidney disease: How to improve your dog's kidney values
In order to improve your dog's kidney values and therefore its overall condition, the right diet for your four-legged friend plays a major role. You can effectively reduce the burden on your pet's kidneys by avoiding protein-rich food. Ideally, the food should consist of meat, carbohydrates, oils and vegetables. Bones, offal, whey and yeast should definitely be avoided , as these foods have a high phosphorus content, which should also be kept low in dogs with renal insufficiency.
The life expectancy of a dog with renal insufficiency
If your dog's renal insufficiency is recognised and treated early , the chances are very good that your dog can lead a long, fulfilling and high-quality life with appropriate treatment and a change in diet. In the case of acute renal insufficiency,complete recovery is possible, which will not affect your dog's life expectancy. However, if your dog suffers from the chronic variant of renal insufficiency, lifelong treatment is necessary. Depending on how severely the animal's kidneys are affected, appropriate treatment can slow down the progression of the disease, but it cannot be stopped completely and ultimately leads to death.
Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:
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Frequently asked questions:
What are the causes of chronic renal failure in dogs?
Chronic renal insufficiency in dogs usually occurs as a result of kidney inflammation. The chronic form can also be caused by a kidney tumour or kidney stones.What should I feed my dog with renal insufficiency?
It is important to feed your dog a balanced, nutritious and natural diet with a low phosphorus and protein content. You should definitely refrain from feeding bones, offal, whey and yeast to a dog with kidney disease in order to promote your pet's health.
How can I recognise acute renal failure in my dog?
The symptoms of acute renal insufficiency are not entirely clear in the early stages. The first signs are listlessness, vomiting, loss of appetite and an unpleasant odour from the mouth. As the disease progresses, the dog's drinking behaviour changes. Your dog will now either drink noticeably more or less liquid. Cramps can also occur in dogs with acute renal insufficiency.
How can renal insufficiency in dogs be treated?
Infusions are used to stabilise the water balance in the dog's body. The condition is improved by administering special medication that stimulates kidney production. A change in diet is also useful to relieve the kidneys even more.
What treatment is given for renal insufficiency in dogs?
To relieve the kidneys and stabilise the water balance, your dog will be given an infusion in the first instance. There are also a number of medications that have a stimulating effect on the dog's kidneys. In mild forms, these medications are often sufficient to successfully boost kidney productivity.