An Intro To Kidney Disease In Dogs
The kidneys are responsible for many tasks. They include balancing chemicals and eliminating toxic wastes. Kidney disease in dogs occurs when the organs are no longer able to function properly. Keep reading to learn all about canine kidney disease.
Forms
This condition can either be acute or chronic. The acute version occurs suddenly and sometimes causes irreparable damage. This health problem can affect dogs of any age. On the other hand, the chronic form progresses slowly over time. It usually affects older dogs.
Causes
There are various things that can cause your dog to develop kidney disease. Kidney disease can occur if your dog ingests toxins such as antifreeze. Dogs with fungal infections, bacterial infections, or heart disease can also have problems with their kidneys. The kidneys will naturally decline over time. This is why chronic kidney disease usually affects older dogs.
Signs
Kidney disease in dogs causes various signs. Dogs will start drinking more water. This results in increased urination. Kidney disease can also cause your dog to become dehydrated. Other common signs of kidney disease include loss of appetite, muscle weakness, discolored teeth, and ulcers in the mouth. It’s also common for there to be diarrhea in canines.
Diagnosis
It’s important to have your dog checked out if he displays some of these symptoms. The veterinarian will analyze your dog’s blood and urine. An x-ray and ultrasound may also be useful. A kidney biopsy is the most definitive method of diagnosis.
Treatment
The underlying problem needs to be dealt with first. Toxic wastes can be removed from the blood using intravenous fluids. Your dog will need to have dialysis if the intravenous fluids don’t do the job.
Chronic kidney disease can’t be treated. Treatment involves trying to slow down the progression of the disease. Your dog will also need to be placed on a special diet. You should also make sure that he drinks plenty of fresh water.
Dogs can be affected by many different diseases. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.
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