Ask Your Local London Vet – What is Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Another term for kidney disease in dogs is renal failure. If you are concerned about the risk of kidney failure in your dog, you should ask your local London vet. 

When we talk with dog owners and vets from the city, a common ailment that comes up is how renal failure affects London’s dogs. The reassuring news is that dog renal failure is not down to geographical area. However, if you have any concerns, you should consult your local London vet.

However, to help you understand the basics of canine kidney failure, we’ve produced this brief article. Here, you will get an idea of what causes canine renal failure, its symptoms, how it can be treated, and what you can do to help prevent it. 

What is Kidney Disease in Dogs?

A kidney serves various functions, including eliminating toxins, maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating hydration, releasing blood-cell-producing hormones.

When a kidney fails, it cannot carry out these functions. Kidney failure occurs in two ways; acute kidney failure, and chronic kidney failure.

What is Acute Dog Kidney Failure? 

Acute kidney failure occurs when your dog’s kidney fails suddenly. It can come on in a matter of days, or even hours. Acute kidney failure in dogs generally occurs as a result of an infection or toxins.

Chronic Dog Kidney failure 

When your dog’s kidney fails gradually over months or years, the condition is called chronic kidney failure. Degeneration through old age is the usual cause of chronic kidney failure. A kidney has a natural lifespan, and some dogs’ kidneys will deteriorate sooner than others.

One of the main differences between chronic and acute kidney failure in dogs is your ability to treat the conditions. If you treat it aggressively and early enough, acute kidney failure can be reversed. However, chronic kidney failure can only be managed.

Dog Kidney Disease – Causes

Conditions that can cause a dog’s kidneys to fail include the following:

• Toxicosis
• Dental failure
• Geriatric degeneration
• Congenital failure
• Bacterial infections

Dog Kidney Failure Symptoms 

If your dog suffers kidney failure, it will experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Blood in their urine.
• Pale gums.
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite.
• Increased or decreased drinking.
• Increased or decreased drinking urination.
• Mouth ulcers.
• Vomiting.
• Lack of coordination.
• Chemically smelling breath.
• Increased lethargy.
• Intestinal seizures.

Of course, these symptoms are not definite proof that your dog has kidney failure. Other conditions such as diabetes mellitus can present with similar symptoms. Therefore, you should consult your local London vet as soon as possible if you suspect dog kidney failure.

Diagnosing canine renal failure in London.

If you know any of the symptoms above, you should take your dog to your local vet in London and get them checked out. They will give your dog a physical examination and conduct urine and blood tests to rule out or confirm renal failure. The results of these tests can also give you an indication as to the severity of your dog’s condition.

Your vet will also take your dog’s blood pressure to check for abnormalities that can cause renal failure. Other tests could include ultrasound or abdominal x-rays.

Treating Dog Kidney Failure 

As with many other conditions, how you treat your dog’s kidney failure will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. If your pet has acute canine kidney failure, you’ll have to get it treated in a hospital.

For milder cases of acute dog kidney failure, you may be able to get your local London vet to treat your pet. They can do this using medications, fluids, and antibiotics. Dialysis is another effective treatment, but this can be expensive.

For chronic dog kidney failure, your vet will concentrate on managing the condition, and slowing down its progression to maintain your dog’s quality of life.

Dog Kidney Failure – Prevention

One of the most common causes of dog kidney failure is their exposure to toxins. Therefore, checking your immediate environment and removing the risk of interaction with tainted foods, and other sources of toxins will help prevent the condition.

Unfortunately, chronic kidney failure often relates to age. Keeping your dog updated with veterinary checks can help you get advance warning of its onset. If you have any concerns or queries about dog kidney failure, you should contact your local London vet.