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When your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, it can be difficult to wrap your head around. You likely have a lot of questions about what this means for your fur baby.
Kidney disease can be acute or chronic. Chronic kidney disease is progressive and can be deadly, but there are a lot of modern treatment options that can help your dog live longer and more comfortably.
In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of kidney disease in dogs.
What is Kidney Disease in Dogs?
Canine kidney disease is also known as renal disease or kidney failure. It happens when a dog’s kidneys lose a significant amount of their function.
Similar to humans, dogs have a lot of extra kidney capacity. This is a good thing because it means they can take a lot of damage before it has negative impacts on the body. However, it also means that veterinarians cannot diagnose kidney damage at its earliest sign nor will you see symptoms at home.
By the time we see the first symptoms of kidney disease, a dog has already lost 66% of their kidney function. By the time kidney disease can be seen on bloodwork results, your dog has lost at least 75% function.
Acute vs Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney disease in dogs is classified into two types: acute and chronic. Acute kidney disease happens very quickly and is typically a result of poisoning. Grapes, raisins, antifreeze, and ibuprofen are just a few things that may send a dog into acute kidney failure.
Acute kidney failure often has a poor prognosis, but with immediate and intensive veterinary care a dog may recover and even regain kidney function. Acute kidney failure can also turn into chronic disease if your dog is less fortunate.
Chronic kidney failure typically happens over time and is most often a result of old age, with most dogs being diagnosed when they’re over seven years old. The damage from chronic kidney disease is permanent and will often worsen over time, especially without veterinary treatment.
How is Canine Kidney Disease Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will first take a look at your dog’s past medical history and discuss any current symptoms with you. They can then run tests to diagnose kidney disease, which typically includes a urinalysis and blood work.
Your veterinarian will look for protein in the urine and also assess the levels of BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, and SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) in the blood. These levels tell your veterinarian whether your dog has kidney disease and, if so, which stage of the disease they’re in.
Catching Kidney Disease Early
The best strategies to ensure your dog is diagnosed early are to watch their behaviors carefully at home and to schedule regular wellness exams at the vet. Young dogs should have a full checkup including blood work done annually, while seniors should have a wellness visit once every six months.
At home, look for increased thirst, large amounts of dilute urine (urine that is especially watery or light in color), potty training regression, decreased appetite, weight loss, and tiredness. These are some of the early signs of kidney disease that many pet owners miss.
Remember that any changes to your dog’s appetite, energy levels, or behavior warrant a vet visit. Dogs tend to hide illness very well and these are often the first signs that something is amiss.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs
In the early stages of kidney disease, your dog may show few or no symptoms. As the disease progresses to stages three and four, you’re likely to see more signs of illness.
Symptoms of canine kidney disease include:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Dilute urine
- Peeing indoors (as they’re unable to hold their bladder)
- Kidney abnormalities
- High amounts of protein in the urine
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Dull coat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Weakened bones
- Pale gums
- Anemia
- Mouth ulcers
- High blood pressure
- Sudden blindness
Severe kidney disease can lead to death. Since kidney disease is a progressive illness, it’s important to catch it as early as possible so that your veterinarian can slow its progression. If you think your dog has kidney disease, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
Stages of Kidney Disease (And Treatments)
Canine kidney disease has four stages, outlined by The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS). Stage one is often undiagnosable, but some dogs show very mild symptoms like dilute urine. Stage four is very severe–dogs diagnosed at this stage may only have weeks or months left to live.
Stages 1-2
For dogs in stage one or two of kidney disease, veterinarians aim to slow the progression of kidney failure. They may:
- Monitor your dog’s progression with routine urinalysis, blood work, and blood pressure checks
- Advise keeping plenty of fresh water available to your dog at all times
- Check and treat underlying conditions that may contribute to kidney damage
- Switch your dog’s food to a prescription kidney diet
- Prescribe medications to treat early symptoms or abnormalities
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Stage 3
Stage three is considered moderate kidney disease. In this stage, your veterinarian is not only trying to limit progression, but also reduce symptoms. This may include:
- Any of the treatments listed above
- Administering subcutaneous fluids to keep your dog hydrated
A prescription diet is highly recommended at this stage. Your dog may need an increased number of medications to reduce their symptoms and treat issues seen in blood work, such as metabolic acidosis or low red blood cell count.
Stage 4
Stage four is the most serious stage and often requires the most intensive treatment. This may include:
- Any of the treatments listed above
- Prescribing calcitriol, a medication shown to increase the lifespan of some dogs in kidney failure
- Inserting a feeding tube to ensure adequate nutrition, hydration, and medication intake
Prognosis of Kidney Disease in Dogs
One of the biggest questions pet owners ask when their dog is diagnosed with an illness is: how long will they live? This question can be difficult to answer since kidney disease presents differently in every dog.
Some dogs with acute kidney disease can go on to live normal lives if the kidney damage is treated early and reversed. When it comes to chronic disease, dogs diagnosed in stage one or two may have a number of healthy years left.
Unfortunately, prognosis is more guarded for dogs diagnosed in stages three and four, and they may have only months left to live. However, every dog is different and there are many factors at play. For instance, dogs who receive adequate veterinary care typically live longer than those who go untreated.
It’s important to talk to your veterinarian and follow their advice when it comes to check-ups and treatment plans. They can give you advice and information tailored to your individual dog and their unique circumstance.
Final Thoughts
While getting a diagnosis of canine kidney disease can be scary, it helps to be armed with information. We hope this article has helped you to learn more about kidney disease and its possible treatments.
Remember to always follow your veterinarian’s guidance. If you have questions about your dog’s disease or care, give your vet a call or ask them at your next appointment.
