Canine Kidney Disease

Canine kidney disease is a devastating and belligerent condition that affects dogs. The prevalence of canine kidney disease is 1 in 5 dogs hence it is vital for all dog owners to know a thing or two about it. Basically, the kidneys of dogs function as those of humans - responsible for filtering out waste products off the body, and allowing different forms of nutrients to get in the bloodstream. Needless to mention, if the kidneys will not function well, toxin will build up in the dog's body.

While canine kidney disease is common among old dogs, young ones are not entirely safe from it. The disease is considered irreversible. The condition is classified as chronic or acute where chronic affects older dogs and tends to develop over an extended period of time. Acute form of canine kidney disease occurs suddenly, affects dogs of any age and both forms cause irreversible damage.

There are lots of causes of canine kidney disease, top among them toxic chemicals ingested by the dog like antifreeze or rat poison. It can also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections and heart disease. Chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics have also proven to be responsible for this condition when used over a long period of time.

Frequent urination, increased consumption of water, and dehydration are some of the common symptoms to indicate that a dog is suffering from this condition. The dog can also have a sudden loss of appetite and discolored teeth, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and shivering.

It is important to know that canine kidney disease will progress until it is discovered and treated. Just like in humans, early diagnosis and treatment is highly recommended for positive response to treatment. There is no clear-cut way of knowing that a particular dog is at risk for the condition unless the vet conducts regular blood and urine testing. A dog that is genetically susceptible to such conditions is highly at risk; hence the vet should be made aware.

Fortunately today, so much can be done to treat the condition. However, how a dog responds to the treatment will be dependent on a number of factors, bearing in mind that dogs with other health complications such as cancer, heart problems, obesity, and diabetes will have a difficult time recovering from canine kidney disease. By and large, keeping the dogs in clean and safe environment to avoid exposure to toxins, parasites, and viruses will help reduce the risk of contracting canine kidney disease.