Dogs, Pet Wellness, Worldwide

Kidney Ailments in Dogs- Causes & Prevention

KIDNEY AFFECTIONS IN DOGS

Just like human kidneys, your dog’s kidneys balance certain substances in the blood and filter out the body’s wastes as urine. They maintain normal concentrations of salt and water in the body. Kidneys also help control blood pressure, aid in calcium metabolism and sustain phosphorous levels. Additionally, they manufacture a hormone that encourages red-blood cell production. When kidneys don’t function properly, toxins build up in the blood and a dog will become ill.

Causes of Kidney Problems in Dogs

Dogs can develop acute kidney problems because of:

  • Ingesting toxins
  • Decreased blood flow or oxygen delivery to the kidneys
  • Infections
  • Urinary obstruction
  • Kidneys not being properly emptied (also related to their daily walk and exercise routine-more detail in our next post)

Chronic kidney disease shows up over a period and its causes are harder to determine. This condition develops slowly and affects mostly older dogs.

The causes are as follows:

  • Underlying congenital and hereditary conditions
  • One of the main cause of chronic kidney failure in dogs is dental disease
  • Bacteria associated with advanced dental disease enter the bloodstream and invades multiple organs, causing irreversible damage to the heart, liver and kidneys

Some Signs of Kidney Problems in Dogs

  • Change in water consumption
  • Change in volume of urine produced
  • Depression and listlessness
  • Loss or decreased appetite
  • Chemical odour of breath
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Blood in urine
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Pale gums
  • Stumbling, acting drunk

How to Treat Kidney Problems in Dogs

It is important to identify kidney failure and begin treatment in its earliest stage. Your veterinarian can determine if kidney disease is present and start appropriate treatment. Depending on whether the problem is acute or chronic, treatment may include the following:

  • Drugs that encourage urine production
  • Fluid therapy
  • Management of blood electrolyte abnormalities
  • Monitoring of urinary output
  • Control of vomiting
  • Medication for gastrointestinal problems
  • Dialysis
  • Dietary management
  • Correction of anaemia
  • Management of high blood pressure
  • Therapy for any specific underlying causes identified (example: antifreeze toxicity, infection)

Homoeopathic management for Kidney problems in Dogs (Medication & Symptoms)

 Arsenic

  • Scanty, burning, involuntary
  • Albuminous deposits in urine
  • Epithelial cells; cylindrical clots of fibrin and globules of pus and blood
  • After urinating, feeling of weakness in abdomen
  • Diabetes

Bryonia

  • Red, brown, like beer; scanty, hot

Rhus-tox

  • Dark, turbid, high-coloured, scanty urine, with white sediment
  • Dysuria, with loss of blood.

Berberis vulgaris

  • Good remedy for kidney stones
  • Burning pains
  • Urine with thick mucus and bright red, mealy sediment
  • Bubbling, sore sensation in kidneys
  • Pain in bladder region
  • pain in the thighs and loins while urinating
  • Frequent urination; urethra burns when not urinating.

Apis

  • Burning and soreness when urinating
  • Suppressed, loaded with casts; frequent and involuntary; stinging pain and strangury
  • scanty, high coloured
  • Incontinence

LYCOPODIUM

  • Pain in back before urinating; ceases after flow; slow in coming, must strain
  • Retention of urine
  • Polyuria during the night
  • Heavy Red Sediment
  • Patient cries before urinating

Always consult your veterinarian before medicating your dog.

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