Kidney disease and your pet

What is kidney disease?

The kidneys are a vital organ that’s main function is to remove waste products from the blood and regulate water fluid levels. Kidney’s also help in the production of red blood cells, electrolyte balance and regulating blood pressure.

When kidneys don’t function properly, toxins build up in the blood, making your pet become ill.

Acute kidney failure is an abrupt decline of function that occurs over a period of days. Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure is a progressive loss of kidney function over a period of time. Kidney failure does not indicate the inability to make urine. In fact most pets with kidney failure produce large amounts of urine, but their body’s waste is not effectively being removed.

What causes kidney damage in pets?

Acute kidney failure is caused by some toxin, injury or insult to the kidney such as antifreeze, cleaning fluids, certain medications, tainted food etc.

Chronic kidney disease develops slowly and effects mostly older pets, a result of ageing. Some breeds are also at higher risk than others. It is often caused by underlying illness, congenial and hereditary conditions.

Early indicators of kidney disease

“Excessive thirst and urination are the two early indicators of kidney disease.”

Common signs of more advanced kidney failure include:

• Urinary incontinence

• Reduced appetite

• Dehydration

• Lethargy

• Weight loss

• Depression

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Bad breath

• Oral ulcers

If you notice any of these signs, or if you have any concerns about your pets health give us a call.

Ways to detect and prevent kidney problems

There are a few steps you can take to detect and prevent kidney problems in your pet.

Look out for common signs

• Excessive thirst and urination are early indicators of kidney disease

• Monitor eating habits, in particular appetite loss and/or weight loss

• Look for behavioural changes such as depression and lethargy

• Keep an eye on your pets overall health. When kidneys fail, toxins normally excreted into the urine build up in the blood making your pet feel sick.

If you notice any of these signs, or if you have any concerns about your pets health give us a call.

Adjust your pets diet

• The risks associated with chronic kidney disease can be minimised by maintaining a high quality diet and good hydration.

• You don’t need to force your pet to drink, rather ensure they always have access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Look after your pet’s dental health

• Dental disease is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney failure.

• Maintaining good oral health for your pet is important. This can include brushing your pet’s teeth, offering dental treats and chew toys and yearly dental check-ups. For more information about pet dental health click here. 

Avoid hazardous items

• Monitor your pet’s medication requirements to ensure correct dosage. Don’t offer your pet any over the counter medications before checking with your vet first.

• Keep toxic substances out of reach.

• Be mindful of your pet when cleaning, both during use and in storage.

• Don’t feed you pet scraps or treats containing grapes, raisons, currants or sultanas.

• Be careful with poisonous flowers and plants. In particular lilies are highly toxic and potentially fatal to cats. Some types are also toxic to dogs.  All parts of the plants including the pollen, flower, leaves are poisonous so make sure they are well out of reach.

If you suspect your pet has swallowed something poisonous, get in touch with us immediately on 03 8784 4444.