If kidney failure occurs in dogs, this has serious consequences for the animal. After all, kidneys are a vital organ. Their task is to filter toxins out of the body. If they are no longer able to do this, these pollutants are deposited in the dog's organism within a very short time.
In the following, you will learn everything you need to know about the various forms of kidney insufficiency in dogs, their causes, symptoms and treatment options.
A distinction is made between acute and chronic renal insufficiency in dogs. The acute form can, for example, be triggered by infectious diseases or a temporary lack of blood circulation, for example due to a shock.
If acute renal insufficiency is diagnosed promptly and the appropriate therapeutic measures are initiated, it can usually be treated well and the kidneys can be fully restored.
Much more dangerous is the chronic renal insufficiency in dogs. More and more nephrons die in this kidney disease. Nephrons are the renal corpuscles that take over the filtering. As a result, the kidneys lose more and more of their efficiency over time.
Like humans, dogs also have two kidneys, which are equipped with a high level of performance. This is of course an advantage, as under normal circumstances it ensures sufficient filtering of toxins. Because even if parts of the kidney tissue are already damaged, the performance of the remaining tissue is still sufficient to fulfill the task of the kidneys.
On the other hand, it is also the performance that makes it difficult to detect chronic renal insufficiency in dogs in a timely manner. This is because clinical symptoms usually only occur when around 70 percent of the nephrons have already been destroyed.
Since once dead kidney tissue does not regenerate again, a late diagnosis of renal insufficiency can mean a permanent impairment of the life of the affected dog.
Once the damage to the nephrons has progressed far enough, a whole range of symptoms can occur in dogs as a result of chronic renal insufficiency.
As the disease progresses, heart problems, bone demineralisation, organ calcifications, neurological disorders, anaemia and changes in the behaviour of the four-legged friend may also occur.
If the chronic renal insufficiency of the dog is not treated, it eventually leads to renal failure, which ends with the death of the animal.
Whether a dog suffers from chronic renal insufficiency can be determined by urinalysis, blood tests, x-rays and ultrasound. However, it is also true here that a diagnosis is usually only possible when the kidney weakness is already quite advanced.
The necessary treatment of the dog depends on the exact cause as well as the severity of the renal insufficiency. The primary aim of the therapy is to stop or at least slow down the further death of nephrons so that at least the remaining capacity of the kidneys is maintained for as long as possible.
The extent to which the treatment of chronic renal insufficiency is successful depends not least on the cooperation of the dog owner.
Dogs suffering from chronic renal insufficiency require a special diet containing fewer proteins and low levels of sodium and phosphorus. The reduced protein and phosphorus content helps to relieve the kidneys, while the lower sodium content relieves the cardiovascular system.
Due to their great importance, it is crucial that the functioning of the kidneys is maintained. In particular, harmful environmental influences, such as residues of medication or toxins that enter the dog's body, can affect the kidneys in the long term.
We have therefore developed a natural dietary supplement to prevent diseases such as kidney failure. Bellfor Kidney Power supports the natural detoxification processes in the dog's body and helps to remove harmful substances and relieve the kidneys.
We recommend that you use Bellfor Kidney Power regularly as a preventive measure to minimise the risk of your dog developing chronic kidney failure right from the start.
Just like in humans, a functional immune system plays a decisive role in ensuring the health of your dog. If the immune system is weakened, diseases result. In this article, we will..
Of course you love your dog. However, foot odor can put this love to a hard test. Finally, the bad breath of the four-legged friend can easily pollute the whole apartment or the car. Bad br..
Eye problems are a common problem in dogs. They can have different causes and manifest themselves in very different ways. In this article you can find out what causes itchy or watery eyes in dogs a..
Itching is extremely unpleasant for dogs and leads to excessive scratching in affected animals. As a result, the itching becomes stronger over time and the skin health of the four-legged friend suffer..
Apoquel is a veterinary drug containing the active ingredient oclacitinib and is available in different strengths for dogs of different weights. The drug is used in the treatment of dogs suffering fro..
A functioning digestive system is of vital importance for the health of a dog. Especially the intestines play an important role in this context. Because it not only takes over t..
If your dog trembles, this can have many different reasons. In many cases the causes are completely harmless. However, it is also possible that your dog's tremor is a sign of a serious h..
If a dog drinks a lot, there are several possible causes. This is not always a cause for concern. In many cases, the excessive thirst has completely harmless reasons. However, i..
Incontinence is not uncommon in dogs. In many cases the bladder weakness affects old dogs. However, it may just as well be that younger animals are also affected. Below you'll find out what causes..
Bladder stones are common in dogs. They develop from crystal deposits that form in the kidneys from minerals.Bladder stones can sometimes become so large that affected dogs can no longer pass urine.Wi..
If your dog is constantly scratching, it is not something you as an owner should ignore. The possible causes for the annoying itching are numerous and the necessary countermeasures can accordingly be ..
If the dog's ears are healthy, their ear canals are clean. There is a sure sign of a problem if a brown secretion is in the dog's ears. In the following article, you will learn what causes a ..
For a long time, spinach was considered an important source of iron. In the meantime, we now know that the iron content of the green leafy vegetable is not that high. Nevertheless, spinach is healthy ..
Every dog owner knows that it is completely natural that dogs pant. Since, unlike us humans, the four-legged friends hardly have any sweat glands, they use panting to regulate their body temperature.H..
If a dog has a dry nose, many owners worry that something might wrong with the four-legged friend. You can find out below whether this is always the case or whether the dry dog nose can also have a ha..
