Canine Kidney Disease

Dog Health - Function of the Kidneys
The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra are part of the urinary system. The kidneys are basically the filters of the body system. The function of the Urinary System is:

• Removal of waste products from the blood and then from the body

• Control of the volume of body fluid

• Control of sodium and potassium levels in the body

Canine Kidney Disease - Canine Renal Disease - Chronic or Acute ?
Renal or Kidney disease can take on one of two forms, chronic or acute. Acute Renal failure (ARF) and Chronic Renal failure (CRF):

• Acute - ARF - the sudden onset of Kidney disease characterized by sharpness or severity

• Chronic - CRF - a slow and progressive form of Kidney disease marked by long duration or frequent recurrence

Dog Health Problems - Symptoms of Canine Kidney Disease (Canine Renal Disease)
Canine Kidney Disease can be marked by some, not necessarily all, of the following symptoms:
 

Urinating markedly more than usual - polyuria Urinating markedly less than usual - anuria Increased thirst leading to increased water consumption - polydipsia Vomiting Diarrhea (may be bloody) Seizures Loss of voluntary movement - stumbling ( Ataxia ) Lack of appetite Lethargy Poisons

Dog Health Questions - Dogs susceptible to Canine Kidney Disease
All dogs may suffer from Canine Kidney Disease (Canine Renal Disease) but it is usually associated with older dogs.

Dog Health Questions - Canine Kidney Disease Causes and Treatment
There are numerous causes of Canine Kidney Disease. Acute Renal Failure (ARF) can occur at any age and if diagnosed and treated early, damage may be arrested. Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) appears to be more common in older dogs and damage is usually irreversible however the progression and severity of the disease can be temporarily modulated with careful medical and dietary controls. There is an option for kidney transplantation but this is performed at a limited number of veterinary hospitals.