is kidney failure in dogs reversible
Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) in Dogs
What Is Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs?
Chronic renal failure (CRF), renal insufficiency, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are all medical terms used to describe the same condition. It occurs when the kidneys are unable to perform their required tasks at the same level of efficiency as before.
Dogs have two kidneys located on either side of their abdomen, that play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Additionally, the kidneys serve to regulate fluid, mineral, and electrolyte balance; conserve water and protein; and play an important role in maintaining blood pressure and red blood cell production by making a hormone called erythropoietin.
Dogs cannot survive without their kidneys, and unfortunately, kidney transplants are yet to be a viable solution. Dialysis (a treatment for failing kidneys including the removal of waste) is often expensive and is extremely rare in dogs. However, early diagnosis and intervention is key to help maintain your dogs quality of life.
Once diagnosed, CRF is then classified into four different stages based on severity of clinical signs and laboratory values:
Stage I: Clinical signs usually not apparent
Stage II: Some clinical signs noted
Stage III: Many clinical signs noted, and pets often feel sick
Stage IV: Majority of clinical signs noted, pets often present as a crisis
Causes of Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs
The term chronic in chronic renal failure means that the process has been ongoing, is progressive, and unfortunately, cannot be reversed. For some dogs, the disease could have occurred after a serious kidney injury such as from a severe infection (i.e., leptospirosis, pyelonephritis) or ingestion of a toxic substance such as anti-freeze, grapes, or raisins, and certain antibiotics.
For others, it could be inherited, such as with glomerular disease (a specific type of renal kidney disease) and amyloidosis (a rare organ disease) as seen in breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog and Shar-pei.
For others, it could be attributed to underlying immune-mediated diseases, stroke-like events, or even from clotting disorders. In cases for newly diagnosed dogs the underlying cause will likely remain unknown.
Symptoms of Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs
Clinical signs are often related to the severity of the CRF stage, meaning there are additional and more severe signs noted with stages III and IV than there are with stages I and II. Dogs often exhibit symptoms including:
Foul breath
Weight loss
Decreased appetite
Some dogs may show muscle wasting and signs attributed to high blood pressure, such as vision loss and weakness.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs
CRF is often diagnosed based on routine blood work and a urinalysis looking specifically at kidney markers such as:
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): A by-product of protein metabolism, higher values can often indicate kidney failure
Creatinine (CREA): Measures how well kidneys are filtering waste from blood
Phosphorous: Elevated phosphorus levels typically indicate kidney damage
Electrolytes (Sodium, potassium, chloride)
Calcium
Red blood cell count: A low red blood cell count may indicate kidney failure
Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): An additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present; it can be used for early detection of kidney disease
Urine specific gravity: A marker of how diluted or concentrated the urine is. Usually the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine is and the greater ability of the kidney to conserve water.
Your veterinarian will most likely recommend additional diagnostic testing, including:
A urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio to quantify how much protein is being lost in the urine
A urine culture, as dogs in CKD are more likely to acquire urinary tract infections
A blood pressure evaluation
Radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to screen for kidney stones or infarcts (areas of dead tissue)
Treatment of Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs
Dogs with CRF are generally older and have other ongoing issues, such as arthritis or liver disease, and so the management of CRF can be challenging. However, CRF can be managed, mostly with the aid of medications, diet, and hydration.
Specific management is geared toward each stage of the disease, with each progressive stage recommendations built upon the previous stage recommendations. Any dog in any stage with an increase in either UPC (urine protein to creatinine ratio) or high blood pressure will most likely be treated with medication.
Throughout your dogs life, any disease process or illness that could affect his hydration should be treated promptly with IV fluids. Other drugs will be prescribed based on the dogs diagnosis since renal metabolism will be affected and can lead to overdosages and/or worsening of the kidney disease.
Additionally, for all stages, fresh water should always be available, drinking should be encouraged, and adequate nutrition should be given daily. Dogs diagnosed with CRF are most likely prescribed a kidney friendly diet, which may include feeding your dog a canned diet of wet food that contains additional water.
Recovery and Prevention of Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs
As chronic renal failure is not curable and often progressive (although the timeline is variable) in nature, dogs diagnosed early on will benefit from nutritional management and consistent veterinary attention, which may include more frequent check-ups and blood work.
Dogs in stages I and II may often be monitored for further progression of signs, and some may be given a prescription diet specifically geared to help the kidney, by limiting the amount of work they must do.
Many dogs can go on to have a decent quality of life for many months to years. Dogs in stages III and IV often require more medical and dietary assistance. If secondary anemia is present, erythropoietin injections can be given at the direction of your veterinarian.
Dietary supplements, and phosphorus binders (to treat high phosphorus levels) may also be given for low potassium. Anti-nausea and anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medications can also be prescribed for dogs with a poor appetite, vomiting, or nausea. Fluids given either intravenously or underneath the skin can help dehydration. Because of the severity of signs often seen in dogs with stage III and IV, and the amount of care and effort required to support these dogs, some may be humanely euthanized.
Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) In Dogs FAQs
How long can a dog live with kidney failure without treatment?
Left untreated, dogs in kidney failure will die, usually within a few days to a few weeks. Death is often preceded by loss of appetite, dehydration, weight loss, vomiting, and multi-organ failure.
Can dogs recover from chronic renal failure?
There is no cure for CRF. However, if CRF is caught early and managed correctly, most dogs that experience kidney disease can go on to live a relatively normal life with some changes and long-term management.
Can chronic renal failure in dogs be reversed?
While CRF is not reversible, early treatment can provide your pet with a happier, longer, and fuller life. Regular, semi-annual checkups are key to early diagnosis and treatment of the development of chronic renal disease.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Korneeva_Kristina
WRITTEN BY
Michael Kearley, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Michael Kearley graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. He graduated with a certificate in...
Can You Reverse Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. Which one you have will determine whether its potentially reversible or not.
If you have kidney failure, it means your kidneys arent able to do important functions, such as filtering and removing excess fluid, salt, and waste from the bloodstream.
Typically, these toxins would go to the bladder to leave your body in your urine. But when the kidneys cant do their job efficiently or at all, these toxins build up in your body and can cause a host of life threatening issues.
Kidney failure can happen gradually from chronic kidney disease or suddenly, which is called acute kidney failure. While kidney damage cannot be undone, acute kidney failure often can be reversed.
Read on for more information about kidney failure and how to reverse it.
Healthy kidneys filter all the blood in the body every 30 minutes, according to the
Acute kidney failure is a sudden loss of all kidney function over a few hours or days and can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- septic shock
- dehydration
- loss of blood
- burns
- pregnancy complications
- a blockage in the urinary tract
- certain medications
Chronic kidney disease leads to chronic kidney failure and occurs over time as the kidneys become damaged. As the damage worsens, the kidneys slowly stop being able to filter out all these toxins from the blood, which leads to dangerous levels in the body. This
Acute kidney failure
In some cases, the kidneys will not recover, which will require dialysis indefinitely or a kidney transplant.
Chronic kidney failure cannot technically be reversed, but you can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease with medications and lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure and high blood glucose from diabetes are the
Other things that can help include:
- maintaining a moderate weight
- being more active
- eating a balanced diet lower in salt
- keeping cholesterol in a target range
- taking medications as directed
- quitting smoking, if you smoke
- getting regular checkups
Symptoms of kidney failure often develop slowly, so you may not notice any signs at first. According to the
- swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
- having little or no urine
- feeling sick to your stomach, not feeling hungry, and losing weight
- having muscle cramps or weakness
- getting headaches
- feeling itchy
- feeling tired but not sleeping well
- having pain, stiffness, or fluid in the joints
- feeling confused
The outlook for people with kidney failure will depend on several factors.
For those with acute kidney failure, recovery is determined by what caused the kidney failure in the first place. If the cause is reversible, its likely an individual will recover fully. Its also possible that people with acute kidney failure will only regain partial kidney function. All cases of acute kidney failure put the person at greater risk for chronic kidney disease in the future.
Chronic kidney failure is also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and theres a much higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease in this case. People with ESRD on dialysis are
That said, statistics dont tell the whole picture, and life expectancy depends on many individual health factors.
How do you deal with kidney failure?
This all depends on whether you have acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure. In both cases, you may need to be treated at the hospital and may need dialysis.
For people with chronic kidney failure, chronic dialysis usually takes place as an outpatient. Acute kidney failure may be reversed once the underlying cause is treated.
How long can you live with kidney failure?
Again, this depends on whether you have acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure. People with acute kidney failure may make a full recovery. For people with chronic kidney failure, life expectancy will depend on a number of individual health factors.
Can my kidneys repair themselves?
No, the kidneys cannot repair themselves if theres damage.
However, acute kidney failure can be reversed, depending on the cause. This means that once the underlying cause is treated, the kidneys may regain their ability to function.
Kidney damage cannot be reversed, but the progression of chronic kidney disease can be slowed with medications and lifestyle changes.
Acute kidney failure is reversible in some cases, but it depends on the underlying cause. Chronic kidney failure is not reversible, but chronic kidney disease can be treated and the progression slowed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Talk with your doctor if youre experiencing any symptoms of kidney disease or have high blood pressure or high blood sugar. These are the main causes of kidney disease and can be managed.
