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ALISON LAURIE-CHALMERS: How to notice if your dog is having kidney problems


By Alison Laurie-Chalmers

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How to spot if your dog is having kidney problems
How to spot if your dog is having kidney problems

Rusty was a beautifully groomed, much-loved 11-year-old bearded collie. He had been brought into the clinic because he had been noticeably drinking more and he was now asking out to urinate overnight, which was very unlike him.

Blood and urine tests revealed that Rusty had chronic kidney disease, likely due to the ageing of his kidneys, as he had had no other known underlying health problems.

The kidneys are two of the most vital organs in a dog’s body. They constantly filter blood, removing toxins and make sure that the balance of electrolytes is kept at the right levels.

With chronic kidney disease (CKD) the kidneys become unable to efficiently filter the blood of their waste products. Most dogs in kidney failure produce large quantities of urine, however the body’s toxic wastes are not effectively eliminated. Kidney tissues cannot regenerate if destroyed, and generally at least two-thirds of the kidneys must be dysfunctional before any clinical signs are seen.

There are many different reasons why our dog’s kidneys stop working as well as they should. The most common cause is an age-related degeneration within the kidneys, which slowly worsens over time. Other examples of illnesses that can lead to kidney problems include kidney stones, certain infections (such as leptospirosis, lyme disease or leishmania), kidney cancers, or genetic kidney problems in young dogs.

When the filtration processes in the kidneys become ineffective, the body reacts and blood flow to the kidneys is naturally increased to try to increase this necessary filtration. This results in the production of more urine, so water consumption is increased, and this is called compensated kidney failure.

After approximately two-thirds of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rise in waste products within the bloodstream and other signs and symptoms of kidney disease are then seen.

These clinical signs of more advancing kidney failure include a loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, smelly breath and occasionally mouth ulcers. There are two basic tests for kidney function: a complete urinalysis and a blood chemistry analysis. A low urine specific gravity, indicating a dilute urine, is the earliest indication of kidney failure.

A blood biochemistry analysis is also required, measuring the level of two waste products in the blood, namely blood urea nitrogen, and blood creatinine, as an elevation in these can indicate decreased kidney function. Tests to measure other blood biochemistries, as well as the red and white blood cell counts are also important.

Treatments are tailored according to your dog’s kidney disease levels.

It is important to always make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh water available and a little extra water to their food at each meal to further increase their fluid intake.

Rusty was checked regularly with his blood and urine values regularly monitored. Thankfully, his kidney treatments and diet made his kidney disease more manageable, and he lived a very happy life for a couple more precious years.

If your dog is showing any of the symptoms of kidney problems, get in touch with your vet’s surgery for an initial examination and any tests as required.

Alison Laurie-Chalmers is a senior consultant at Crown Vets in Inverness.

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