Kidneys are organs that play an essential role in vertebrate urinary and circulatory systems.
They help regulate blood pressure, manage electrolyte regulation and filter the blood of waste products and toxins so the body can eliminate them in the urine.
Kidney disease is a common problem in many dogs, especially older animals and depending on the severity can often be treated or managed.
Some pets may have kidney problems due to exposure to a toxic substance.
In these cases, the animals will develop symptoms suddenly and they are often severe.
Many dogs, especially older animals, develop renal disease.
For these animals, the onset is slow and symptoms develop over a long period.
Other causes may include, cancer, parasites, trauma and bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that attack the renal system.
This condition can be difficult to detect in its earliest stages because many of the symptoms are nonspecific.
Vomiting, a decrease in appetite, diarrhea, and lethargy are symptoms that can be associated with disorders involving other physiological systems.
Additional signs include increased or decreased water consumption and urine volume, weight loss and blood in the urine.
Treatable causes for acute symptoms include exposure to toxic substances, parasitic infestations, and infections.
Veterinarians will typically treat the dog with intravenous fluids.
Sometimes simply rehydrating the animal will be enough stimulate normal urine output.
If fluid alone does not restore proper function the vet may administer mannitol or flurosemide to promote urine production.
While the animal is undergoing fluid treatment, the vet will begin treating the underlying cause.
This may include inducing vomiting if the animal ingested a toxic substance or administering antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection.
Animals who receive aggressive and early treatment can recover successfully from acute renal failure.
Pet owners who have animals with chronic problems due to old age should monitor fluid input and output.
If necessary, they can administer subcutaneous fluid at home after a vet teaches them the procedure.
Most animals can benefit from a high quality diet rich in protein to eliminate some of the stress on the diseased kidneys.
Several breeds of dogs, including the English Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, Samoyed, and Bull Terrier are genetically prone to developing chronic renal failure.
All pet owners should keep their pets away from pesticides, antifreeze, and other toxic substances to eliminate any risk of exposure and the development of kidney disease in dogs.
Feeding the animal a balanced diet and making sure it has constant access to fresh, clean water is also necessary for optimum health.
They help regulate blood pressure, manage electrolyte regulation and filter the blood of waste products and toxins so the body can eliminate them in the urine.
Kidney disease is a common problem in many dogs, especially older animals and depending on the severity can often be treated or managed.
Some pets may have kidney problems due to exposure to a toxic substance.
In these cases, the animals will develop symptoms suddenly and they are often severe.
Many dogs, especially older animals, develop renal disease.
For these animals, the onset is slow and symptoms develop over a long period.
Other causes may include, cancer, parasites, trauma and bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that attack the renal system.
This condition can be difficult to detect in its earliest stages because many of the symptoms are nonspecific.
Vomiting, a decrease in appetite, diarrhea, and lethargy are symptoms that can be associated with disorders involving other physiological systems.
Additional signs include increased or decreased water consumption and urine volume, weight loss and blood in the urine.
Treatable causes for acute symptoms include exposure to toxic substances, parasitic infestations, and infections.
Veterinarians will typically treat the dog with intravenous fluids.
Sometimes simply rehydrating the animal will be enough stimulate normal urine output.
If fluid alone does not restore proper function the vet may administer mannitol or flurosemide to promote urine production.
While the animal is undergoing fluid treatment, the vet will begin treating the underlying cause.
This may include inducing vomiting if the animal ingested a toxic substance or administering antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection.
Animals who receive aggressive and early treatment can recover successfully from acute renal failure.
Pet owners who have animals with chronic problems due to old age should monitor fluid input and output.
If necessary, they can administer subcutaneous fluid at home after a vet teaches them the procedure.
Most animals can benefit from a high quality diet rich in protein to eliminate some of the stress on the diseased kidneys.
Several breeds of dogs, including the English Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, Samoyed, and Bull Terrier are genetically prone to developing chronic renal failure.
All pet owners should keep their pets away from pesticides, antifreeze, and other toxic substances to eliminate any risk of exposure and the development of kidney disease in dogs.
Feeding the animal a balanced diet and making sure it has constant access to fresh, clean water is also necessary for optimum health.
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