Chronic kidney disease is a common health concern in dogs, especially as they get older. Understanding how it develops, its symptoms, and the available treatment options can help pet owners provide the best care for their furry friends. This guide will explain the basics of chronic kidney disease, how it’s diagnosed, and how it can be managed to maintain a good quality of life.
What are the kidneys and what is kidney disease?
In most cases, dogs are born with two kidneys, located in the abdomen on either side of the spine. The kidneys have several important jobs: they filter and remove toxins and waste from the blood, regulate fluid, mineral, and electrolyte balance, help control blood pressure, and support the production of red blood cells. While both dogs—and humans, for that matter—typically have two kidneys, it’s possible to live a normal, happy life with just one properly functioning kidney.
Kidneys are made up of millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons. In fact, kidneys contain far more nephrons than needed to maintain healthy function. Over time however, as a dog ages or due to other factors, nephrons can wear out and die off. When too many nephrons are lost, kidney performance may start to decline.
When kidney function starts to decline, we call it kidney disease, which can be either acute or chronic. Acute kidney disease develops suddenly, often triggered by things like toxins, infections, or trauma, with symptoms that are usually clear and appear quickly. Chronic kidney disease, however, develops slowly over time. In its early stages, signs are often subtle or missed altogether, as they tend to appear gradually and may be mistaken for normal aging.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of Chronic kidney disease in dogs are:
- Frequent urination, change in urine output
- Increased drinking
- More frequent pee accidents inside the house
- Poor Coat condition
- Reduce of Muscle
- Neasuea, and occasional vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Anemia
- Mouth Sores
- Bad breath
- Pale gums
- Loss of Weight
- Lethargy
- Loss of vision
- High blood pressure
Causes
Chronic kidney disease develops over time and is a progressive condition where kidney function continues to decline. Unfortunately, it’s irreversible, unlike acute kidney disease, which can be reversible if caught and treated early.
With acute kidney disease, it’s often easier to identify a cause, like ingestion of a toxin. Chronic kidney disease, on the other hand, is usually harder to pinpoint because it develops slowly over time. It’s more common in older dogs, and early symptoms are often mild, making them easy to overlook or dismiss.
Causes of chronic kidney disease include earlier kidney damage, dental disease, or a genetic predisposition in certain breeds. Breeds more prone to chronic kidney disease include Shar-Peis, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels (both English and American), Cairn Terriers, Basenjis, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bull Terriers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and West Highland White Terriers.
Diagnosis
Veterinarians can diagnose kidney disease through a physical exam, blood work, and a urinalysis to assess kidney function. In blood tests, values such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) provide important information about how well the kidneys are working—higher levels may indicate kidney failure. Other values vets often check include symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), red blood cell count, phosphorus, electrolytes, calcium, and urine specific gravity.
If needed, your vet may recommend further testing such as X-rays or ultrasounds, blood pressure measurement, kidney biopsy, urine culture, or a UPC ratio test, which measures how much protein is lost in the urine.
Treatment
Chronic kidney disease is incurable and progressive, so treatment mainly focuses on managing the condition and slowing its progression. The approach to treatment depends on the stage the dog is in—dogs in stages 1 and 2 generally require less intervention than those in stages 3 or 4.
Dogs with chronic kidney disease are usually advised to start a kidney-friendly diet that is low in phosphorus, salt, and protein, and is alkalinized. Additional fluid therapy and medications may also be recommended. Symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite can be managed with medications like anti-nausea drugs and appetite stimulants.
Conclusion
While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, early diagnosis and proper management can significantly improve a dog’s comfort and lifespan. Working closely with your veterinarian to monitor kidney health and adjust treatment as needed is key to helping your dog live a happy, fulfilling life despite this condition.
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