kidney disease in dogs early signs

Kidney Disease in Dogs: What Dog Owners Should Know

Kidney disease is very common in dogs, and protecting your pooch from kidney disease means you should be prepared to look for problems early. Studies show that 1 in 10 dogs suffer from kidney disease, reports Dr. Celeste Clements. Dogs can get kidney disease for any number of underlying reasons, and even worse, its often difficult to spot. Some of the earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs may include subtle weight loss, urinating/peeing more often and drinking a lot more water. Therefore, if you notice your dog is peeing on the floor or asking to go out more, or if your dog is always thirsty, its time to visit your veterinarian. Unfortunately, sometimes once these signs are present, theres typically already been a great deal of kidney damage. Fortunately, new advances in the veterinary world are making it easier to find kidney disease in dogs earlier (even without signs being present).What is kidney disease in dogs?Kidney disease in dogs is notoriously hard to catch early and can have devastating effects on our canine friends. In general, kidney disease (sometimes called kidney insufficiency or failure) happens when your dogs kidneys stop doing their job as well as they should. The kidneys help clean waste products from the blood, if they are not working properly these waste products can build up in the blood.(Learn more about what kidneys do for your dog.) This damage, once done, can be permanent and can be caused by a variety of issues. (Learn more about 10 common causes of kidney disease in dogs.)Kidney disease in dogs is classified in two primary ways, as:

Learn more about kidney disease in dogs:Since kidney disease impacts so many dogs and early detection is so critical, its a great idea for any dog parent to learn and know everything you can about the disease. Weve included some in-depth articles about kidney disease in dogs and additional tools below, as well as tips for helping keep your dogs kidneys as healthy as possible for the long-haul:

Kidney disease quick tips:

• Kidney disease is a leading cause of suffering and death in pets,³ and has been so difficult to combat because it was often not detected until most of the damage was done and permanent.
• Certain factors like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or other infections, including Lyme disease, or hereditary conditions could make kidney disease more likely.
• Treatment options for advanced kidney disease are usually limited to supporting the kidneys and treating the signs of kidney disease as dialysis and kidney transplants are not readily available for dogs.
• Encouraging your dog to drink more water can help with kidney health
• As dogs age, the likelihood of developing kidney disease increases.

The IDEXX SDMA test is amaker of kidney function and can help identify decline in kidney function and disease months to years earlier than previously possible.³[Editors Note: IDEXX Laboratories is the parent company of Pet Health Network.]This can allow your veterinarian to take early action to treat some causes of kidney damage, and better support kidney disease.Theres much more to learn about chronic kidney disease if you want to protect your dog, and having this knowledge is step one in the fight against a disease that has claimed far too many lives. Check out the resources below, and ask your veterinarian what you can be doing to keep your dog healthier, happier and in your life longer.

A new test is available to help detect kidney disease earlier, ask your veterinarian about the new IDEXX SDMA test.

Learn about IDEXX SDMA testing

More Kidney Disease Resources

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Chronic kidney disease

I'm Dr. Andrew Bentall, a kidney doctor at Mayo Clinic. I look after patients with kidney disease, either in the early stages, or with more advanced kidney disease considering dialysis and transplantation as treatment options. In this video, we'll cover the basics of chronic kidney disease. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you are looking for answers for yourself or for someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available.

Chronic kidney disease is a disease characterized by progressive damage and loss of function in the kidneys. It's estimated that chronic kidney disease affects about one in seven American adults. And most of those don't know they have it. Before we get into the disease itself, let's talk a little bit about the kidneys and what they do. Our kidneys play many important roles keeping our bodies in balance. They remove waste and toxins, excess water from the bloodstream, which is carried out of the body in urine. They helped to make hormones to produce red blood cells, and they turn vitamin D into its active form, so it's usable in the body.

There are quite a few things that can cause or put you at higher risk for chronic kidney disease. Some of them are not things that can be avoided. Your risk is simply higher if you have a family history of certain genetic conditions like polycystic kidney disease or some autoimmune diseases like lupus or IgA nephropathy. Defects in the kidney structure can also cause your kidneys to fail, and you have an increased risk as you get older. Sometimes, other common medical conditions can increase your risk. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But also heart disease and obesity can contribute to the damage that causes kidneys to fail. Urinary tract issues and inflammation in different parts of the kidney can also lead to long-term functional decline. There are things that are more under our control: Heavy or long-term use of certain medications, even those that are common over-the-counter. Smoking can also be a contributing factor to chronic kidney disease.

Often there are no outward signs in the earlier stages of chronic kidney disease, which is grouped into stages 1 through 5. Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little. However, these are usually in the later stages, but they can also happen in other disorders. So don't automatically interpret this as having kidney disease. But if you're experiencing anything that concerns you, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Even before any symptoms appear, routine blood work can indicate that you might be in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. And the earlier it's detected, the easier it is to treat. This is why regular checkups with your doctor are important. If your doctor suspects the onset of chronic kidney disease, they may schedule a variety of other tests. They may also refer you to a kidney specialist, a nephrologist like myself. Urine tests can reveal abnormalities and give clues to the underlying cause of the chronic kidney disease. And this can also help to determine the underlying issues. Various imaging tests like ultrasounds or CT scans can be done to help your doctor assess the size, the structure, as well as evaluate the visible damage, inflammation or stones of your kidneys. And in some cases, a kidney biopsy may be necessary. And a small amount of tissue is taken with a needle and sent to the pathologist for further analysis.

Treatment is determined by what is causing your kidneys to not function normally. Treating the cause is key, leading to reduced complications and slowing progression of kidney disease. For example, getting better blood pressure control, improved sugar control and diabetes, and reducing weight are often key interventions. However, existing damage is not usually reversible. In some conditions, treatment can reverse the cause of the disease. So seeking medical review is really important. Individual complications vary, but treatment might include high blood pressure medication, diuretics to reduce fluid and swelling, supplements to relieve anemia, statins to lower cholesterol, or medications to protect your bones and prevent blood vessel calcification. A lower-protein diet may also be recommended. It reduces the amount of waste your kidneys need to filter from your blood. These can not only slow the damage of kidney disease, but make you feel better as well. When the damage has progressed to the point that 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function is gone, and they no longer work well enough to keep you alive, it's called end-stage kidney failure. But there are still options. There's dialysis, which uses a machine to filter the toxins and remove water from your body as your kidneys are no longer able to do this. Where possible, the preferred therapy is a kidney transplant. While an organ transplant can sound daunting, it's actually often the better alternative, and the closest thing to a cure, if you qualify for a kidney transplant.

If you have kidney disease, there are lifestyle choices. Namely quit smoking. Consuming alcohol in moderation. If you're overweight or obese, then try to lose weight. Staying active and getting exercise can help not only with your weight, but fatigue and stress. If your condition allows, keep up with your routine, whether that's working, hobbies, social activities, or other things you enjoy. It can be helpful to talk to someone you trust, a friend or relative who's good at listening. Or your doctor could also refer you to a therapist or social worker. It can also be helpful to find a support group and connect with people going through the same thing. Learning you have chronic kidney disease and learning how to live with it can be a challenge. But there are lots of ways to help you to be more comfortable for longer before more drastic measures are needed. And even then, there is plenty of hope. If you'd like to learn even more about chronic kidney disease, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic.org. We wish you well.

Facts About Kidney Disease in Dogs

The kidneys, the frequently forgotten but life-sustaining organs, remove waste from the bloodstream and regulate fluids in the body. If the kidneys are not able to do their job, the result could be life threatening for your dog.

What is kidney disease?

Kidneys are very important because they remove waste substances from the blood, and maintain the normal balance of fluid and minerals within the body. Any condition which damages the kidneys is referred to as kidney or renal disease. In some cases, dogs may show early warning signs of kidney disease. However, signs of serious illness only appear after 75% of the kidneys function has already been lost. This is the reason why early detection is so important, especially for dogs age 7 or older. A simple blood test and urinalysis are all that is required to detect kidney disease.

What causes kidney disease in dogs?

The kidneys can be damaged by a wide range of conditions including injury, infection, toxins, and cancer. This damage is usually irreversible. Kidney disease is common in dogs, but with early diagnosis and treatment, progression can be limited and many dogs go on to live happily for years after diagnosis. Factors that can make dogs more prone to kidney disease include the following:

Age: The chance of developing kidney problems in dogs increases after the age of 7.

Food: Some dog foods high in phosphorus and dog foods with increased levels of protein can increase the progression of kidney disease.

Breed: Some dog breeds, including English Cocker spaniels, bull terriers and German shepherds, are more likely to develop particular types of kidney disease. Learn more about a very special German shepherd named Buddy that was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Environment: Some chemicals, including certain disinfectants, antifreeze, lead paint and some human medications can damage the kidneys.

Does my dog have kidney disease?

The signs of kidney disease can be difficult to recognize but if you notice any of the following, it could mean your dog has a kidney problem. Please check with your veterinarian if you are seeing any of these signs.

• Increased thirst and urine production
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Bad breath
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Sore mouth
• Weakness
• Lack of energy and increased sleeping
• Poor coat appearance
• Depression

If your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, your veterinarian may describe it as either acute or chronic.

Acute Kidney Disease: Acute, or sudden, kidney disorders can be caused by:

• Blood loss
• Shock
• Surgical stress
• Trauma
• Severe dehydration
• Poisons
• Drugs
• Obstructed urine flow
• Infection

Chronic Kidney Disease: Chronic, or long-term, kidney disease can result from the above factors, plus: Breed and hereditary tendencies, in coordination with nutritional factors and immune system defects. Chronic kidney disease is progressive and irreversible.

Unfortunately, the signs of kidney disease usually do not appear until 75% of kidney function has been lost. Once chronic kidney failure develops, it cannot be reversed.

IMPORTANT: Early stages of kidney disease will show no signs or symptoms. An increase in thirst may be the first sign of kidney failure if you notice this, or any of the above signs, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment: The importance of nutrition

The food your dog eats plays an important role in his overall health and well-being. If your dog is diagnosed with kidney or renal disease, modifying his food can help manage the disease by reducing the amounts of protein, phosphorus and salt in his food. Phosphorus restriction seems especially important in lessening the severity of the clinical signs and progression of kidney damage. Reducing protein levels may also help restore normal acid-base levels. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. If your dog has kidney problems, the right nutrition can positively impact your dogs quality of life. For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your dogs kidney health.

Ask Your Veterinarian About Kidney Disease:

1. Are there any foods I should avoid giving my dog because of his condition?
   • Ask how human food may affect your dogs health.
2. Would you recommend a Hills Prescription Diet dog food for my dogs kidney health?
   • Ask about special nutritional concerns for your dog
   • How much / how often you should feed the recommended food to your dog
   • Discuss which treats you can feed your dog with the recommended food
3. How quickly should I expect to see signs of improvement in my dogs condition?
4. Can you provide me with written instructions or a booklet on kidney disease for my dog?
5. What is the best way (email/phone) to reach you or your hospital if I have questions?
   • Ask if you need a follow-up appointment.
   • Ask if a reminder email or notice will be sent.