Kidney disease in dogs? Do you know that your dog might have kidney disease and you won’t even be able to tell? It is a serious condition, it happens slowly, and then suddenly you see your dog less active, being more ill, and being more irritated with their lives. You go to the vet and they tell you, they have less time to live.

We’re sure you don't want this to happen with you and your dog. That’s why, this blog is meant to give you everything you have ever wanted about symptoms of kidney disease in dogs, their treatment plan, and also how you can prevent it.

Let’s start:

First of all, let’s start to understand the work of kidneys in dogs. Kidneys are like those employees of an organization who work day in and day out for the well-being of the organization.

The kidney of your dog works the same way as the human kidney. A healthy dog’s kidney works on:

• Removing Toxins : all those pesky things your dog consumes? They all go inside your dog’s bellies and make them ill. The kidneys try to remove those toxins by filtering them through their pee.

• Proper Hydration : your dog might go thirsty, and it is their kidneys that work against the clock, to maintain proper hydration, filtering water, removing toxins from water, and turning that water into energy points for your dog’s blood, muscle, and overall energy.

• Maintain an electrolyte balance : Whether it's a dog or a human they need a proper electrolyte balance to digest food, maintain proper health and feel good. The kidneys of dogs work on removing excess toxins present in the food that may cause electrolyte imbalance.

• Release hormones to produce red blood cells : Red blood cells are important to produce energy and maintain a proper immune system. The kidneys release hormones to your dog’s body to produce red blood cells.

Now that you know the work of your dog’s kidneys. You might want to know about kidney disease.

If a dog has kidney disease, their kidneys won’t function properly. That means no more proper hydration, no more removing toxins, and maintaining a proper electrolyte balance.

Kidney disease in dogs is of 2 types. Understanding their types will give you an idea of what kind of treatment you want to seek.

As said above kidney disease is of 2 types. Here are they presented below:

Acute Kidney Disease

This situation is also known as acute renal failure in scientific, nerdy, and veterinary terms. This is the kind of disease where kidneys stop functioning properly and they even start deteriorating within hours or even days.

Acute kidney disease happens when your dog out of curiosity consumes anything that has toxins or contracts infections. In acute kidney disease, recovery is possible, but only if your dog is treated on time and aggressively.

That means acute renal failure of your dog can be managed. But it can’t be if they have chronic kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease

This is also known as chronic renal failure. This is a situation where the kidneys lose their functions over a period of time, it can be weeks, months, or even years.

This is a common problem in older dogs, and it happens because of age. As said above, kidneys are like those overworked employees, at one point in time, with age they will get tired and might need a break. 

Now that you know the types of kidney disease, let us know what causes it. There is no one reason kidney diseases happen. It is a combination of causes that results in the effect of kidney disease in dogs.

Let’s find out the causes:

• Breed and Hereditary Factors: Sorry to say this, but some dogs are just unlucky. Some breeds are more prone to kidney diseases. It is because of their DNA. Breeds like Bull Terriers and Cocker Spaniels are more at risk of kidney disease.

• Environmental Triggers: Dogs are curious creatures just like cats. So if curiosity kills a cat, it can even cause your dog kidney disease. This happens when your dog consumes something that has toxins out of curiosity. This results in the destruction of your dog’s kidneys.

• Infections: Infections like leptospirosis that spread through contaminated water, or soil can lead to kidney failure. Other infections that carry bacterial disease, which your dog’s kidneys cannot filter will likely cause damage to their kidneys.

• Underlying Illnesses: Serious illnesses like dental, cancer, and diabetes, or even unserious illnesses can cause your dog kidney damage.

Kidney damage in your dog is a chain reaction. That means if you ignore one issue with your dog, it can trigger another issue, which might trigger another one, and all these combined will cause kidney disease.

Now you know what causes it, what it is. But you still don’t know how to identify it. How would you identify it? Through symptoms. 

Kidney disease in dogs can be a silent killer. That’s why knowing the signs and acting early can make a huge difference.

• Weight Loss and Lethargy: If your dog avoids playtime, or shows tiredness out of the blue, without even having to do anything. If they also show signs of weight loss, do not ignore it. Go to the vet immediately.

• Vomiting and Diarrhea: If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, even after taking their meds, it might mean that the toxins are building up in their system. Kill the toxins before they kill your dog.

• Changes in Water Consumption and Urination: If your dog is drinking more water than usual, or needs to urinate frequently, or hardly at all, it might mean kidney disease.

As the kidney disease of your dog progresses you might start seeing these symptoms:

• Pale Gums : This happens because of anemia. As your dog isn’t eating or drinking they’re not getting proper nutrition. This is usually caused by kidney failure.

• Seizures : When too much toxins build up in the bloodstream, it then reaches the brain. This can cause seizures.

When kidney disease reaches a very critical stage, it can be even harder to treat. Here’s what the advanced stage of kidney disease looks like:

• Chemical Breath Odor : A bad, ammonia kind of smell from your dog’s breath.

• Mouth Ulcers : when the toxin levels in your dog’s blood have reached their high, it causes sores inside the mouth.

• Sudden Blindness : Toxins in the blood can make the heart work even harder. This causes high blood pressure, which can lead to retinal detachment, which can cause blindness.

Treatment of kidney disease in dogs depends on the severity of their symptoms. But you also need to confirm it. Only if you can confirm, you can treat it.

Here’s how you can confirm kidney disease in dogs:

Go to the vet as soon as you start noticing some symptoms. Your vet will likely run a blood and urine test on your dog. This is done to find out any abnormal creatinine levels. Abnormal creatinine means your dog’s kidneys aren’t working as they should to maintain proper electrolyte balance.

• Normal Creatinine Levels in Dogs : A healthy dog typically has between 0.5 and 1.6 mg/dL of creatinine levels.

• High Creatinine in Dogs : When levels exceed the normal range, the kidneys struggle to filter waste from the blood.

Urine tests can also reveal how well the kidneys are concentrating urine. Diluted urine when combined with high creatinine levels often points to kidney problems.

The vet may also suggest some imaging tests like ultrasounds or X-rays to see the size and structure of your dog’s kidneys. Because bloodwork is not the end-all and be-all. Your vet needs to see how much destruction is done to treat it appropriately.

When the imaging shows enlarged, shrunken, or irregularly shaped kidneys, then it can mean chronic or advanced kidney disease.

These imaging tests are important as they give a clearer picture of what is actually happening inside your dog’s body. This is also important to rule out serious problems like tumors or blockages.

Staging Kidney Disease in Dogs

When the tests are done, your vet will set the stage for kidney disease. Generally, kidney disease is of two stages:

• Stage I : Early detection which often shows no symptoms.

• Stage IV : Severe kidney failure which requires intensive treatment.

Trust us when we say this, but the right food can act as a line of defense against battling kidney disease in your dogs. That’s why diet and nutrition are given the most importance.

Modify your dog’s diet. Food plays an important role in reducing the strain on kidneys and maintaining overall health:

• Low-Protein, Low-Phosphorus Diets : More protein is more workload on the kidneys. That’s why give your dog foods with low protein and phosphorus.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids : Omega-3s reduce inflammation and support kidney function. You can give your dog foods like fish oil, or any supplements high in omega-3s.

• Addressing Appetite Loss : Kidney disease causes appetite loss. Consider giving your dog home-cooked meals that are easier to digest and more edible than outside food.

• Proper Hydration : Add water to your dog’s food, or give them fresh water available at all times. This will keep them hydrated.

Medication plays a huge role in managing the symptoms and progression of kidney disease in dogs. Here are the important medicines your vet might recommend:

• Phosphorus Binders and Vitamin D Supplements : As phosphorus is the enemy, your vet might suggest phosphorus binders while also starting vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy levels in your dog.

• Tailored Medications : Your vet might prescribe medications to control symptoms like nausea, high blood pressure, or anemia, depending on the disease stage and your dog’s condition.

Another way your vet might treat kidney disease in your dog is through fluid therapy. As dehydration is a common thing in dogs with kidney disease, it often involves fluid therapy like IV drips or subcutaneous injections for proper hydration, and proper kidney function.

If things go out of hand, your dog may need advanced treatment to combat kidney disease. Treatments like:

1. Dialysis for Dogs : Dialysis helps to filter out the toxins from the blood, and offers your dog temporary relief. This is only carried out if your dog has severe renal failure.

2. Dog Kidney Transplants : This is rare and expensive. Kidney transplants are an option for some dogs with end-stage kidney disease.

Yes, kidney disease in dogs can be prevented. But you have to do these things below:

• Responsible breeding : Make sure you breed your dog responsibly, to avoid any genetic predispositions. As some breeds are prone to kidney diseases, avoid breeding them with other dogs likely to have a genetic disposition to kidney issues.

• Avoiding exposure to toxins and toxic foods : Make sure your dog avoids toxic food and toxins like a plague.

• Regular vaccinations : Prevention of serious infections like leptospirosis is very important. Make sure you take the right vaccinations to prevent it.

• A balanced, species-appropriate diet : Make sure you give the right kind of diet that helps your dog’s kidneys, immune system, and overall health.

Kidney disease in dogs doesn’t have to feel like the end of the road. With early detection, proper treatment, and extra care at home, you can help your dog live a longer, healthier, and happier life. Remember, every small effort whether it’s a dietary change, regular vet visits, or keeping them hydrated can make a huge difference in managing their condition.

At the end of the day, your dog depends on you to notice the signs and take action. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen; act now, and you’ll be doing your best to give your dog a fighting chance.

The lifespan of a dog with kidney disease depends on the stage of the disease and how well it’s managed. Early-stage kidney disease, when caught and treated promptly, can give your dog months or even years of life. However, if it’s detected in the late stages, survival time may range from weeks to months. Regular vet visits, a proper diet, and medications can make a significant difference.

Yes, kidney disease in dogs is treatable but not always curable. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing the disease’s progression, and improving your dog’s quality of life. Acute kidney disease can often be reversed with prompt and aggressive care, while chronic kidney disease requires lifelong management with medications, diet changes, and fluid therapy.

Dogs don’t cry the way humans do, but they may show signs of pain or discomfort. They might whine, yelp, or avoid being touched due to the physical discomfort caused by kidney failure. Other signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, and behavioral changes. Always consult your vet if your dog appears distressed.

While home care can’t replace veterinary treatment, there are things you can do to support your dog:

1. Diet: Feed them a vet-recommended kidney-friendly diet low in protein and phosphorus.

2. Hydration: Keep fresh water available at all times. You can also add water to their food.

3. Medications: Administer medications prescribed by your vet to manage symptoms like nausea or high blood pressure.

4. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on any changes in appetite, urination, or energy levels and report them to your vet.

Yes, high creatinine levels can be reduced with the right treatment. This includes:

• IV Fluids or Subcutaneous Fluids: To flush out toxins and hydrate the body.

• Phosphorus Binders: These help prevent phosphorus buildup, which worsens kidney damage.

• Diet Changes: A low-protein, low-phosphorus diet reduces the kidney’s workload and helps manage creatinine levels.

• Medications: Depending on the cause, your vet may prescribe specific drugs to support kidney function and reduce creatinine levels.