Treatment of kidney inflammation in dogs. Treatment of kidney failure in dogs. Hereditary congenital diseases

Kidney diseases can occur for the following reasons:

  • unbalanced and poor quality nutrition,
  • bacterial and viral infections,
  • immune system defects,
  • toxins,
  • a hereditary predisposition that is present in certain breeds

Most often, dogs suffer from chronic rather than acute kidney diseases. They pass slowly, up to several years, accompanied by a gradual deterioration of the condition. In this process, the kidneys undergo irreversible changes and the disease becomes incurable.

These include the entry into the body of infection and toxic substances. Kidney failure can also be caused by various injuries, previous illnesses, or simply poor-quality products. Some dogs succumb to kidney failure due to age-related changes or due to a genetic predisposition.

Doctors divide acute renal failure into several groups:

  1. prerenal – develops as a result of shock arising from various sources when blood pressure drops and blood circulation within the kidneys is impaired;
  2. renal - occurs and develops in the presence of infections, inflammatory processes in the kidneys due to the direct effect of certain substances and drugs on the kidney tissue;
  3. postrenal - appears after urolithiasis, with compression or even blockage of the urinary tract.

The chronic form occurs and manifests itself over a long period of time. In this case, a process of constant death of nephrons occurs. Interestingly, for some time, still living cells take on tasks and completely replace the dead ones. And only when 23 or more kidney tissues are affected, they begin to identify and show signs of the disease.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs

In the acute form, the animal, in addition to the above circumstances, also becomes less active. The dog gradually moves less and sleeps more.

Symptoms that are noticed almost immediately include your dog being very thirsty and urinating frequently. To distinguish this symptom from the normal state, you need to remember that a healthy dog ​​needs 50 milliliters of water for every kilogram of weight. In case of renal failure, the amount of water she takes at least doubles.

The doctor diagnoses kidney failure based on data on the animal’s condition, as well as the results of tests performed. One of the decisive parameters in diagnosis is the amount of urine.

The urea of ​​a sick dog may contain urea and creatine, and the level of acidity and phosphorus in the blood increases.

In addition to general tests, X-ray diagnostics are also performed, including the introduction of certain special substances into the blood, and less commonly, ultrasound diagnostics or biopsy.

Treatment of kidney failure in dogs

The main direction of treating a dog for kidney failure is to eliminate the causes, correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances, stimulate diuresis, and remove toxins from the body. Therefore, sick pets are often prescribed intensive therapy. It is the elimination of the causes that plays a huge role. Because it can solve several problems at once.

To correct water-electrolyte and acid-base balances, infusor therapy is carried out. It is carried out until the content of urea and creatine is normalized, and the general condition is stabilized. During treatment, it is important to ensure that important functions of the pet’s body are not disrupted.

If the form of failure is chronic, irreversible pathological changes occur in the kidneys. In this case, the same treatment as for the acute form of treatment will not be enough. Peritoneal dialysis is required. This procedure is performed only in the clinic.

Treatment can be helped by paying attention to the dog’s nutrition. In a state of illness, it is very important that the animal receives the right amount. nutrients. If the pet has not lost its appetite and eats well, it will be enough to simply add special dietary foods to the diet. You can also introduce a diet, the main condition of which is to reduce the amount of phosphorus, sodium and protein.

But it is still better to take care of the animal and not allow its health to deteriorate so much. The life of a pet often depends solely on the actions of the owner, and responsibility also lies with him.

There are many potential reasons leading to chronic disease kidneys, so often the root cause of the disease cannot be determined. The main reasons are:

  • inherited kidney condition (most common in purebred dogs)
  • infections
  • poisoning
  • immune disorders
  • kidney tumors
  • obstruction of urine flow

Acute renal failure:

  • No or low blood supply to the kidneys, for example due to dehydration.
  • Poisoning, for example, due to accidental ingestion of poisons.

Veterinary practice shows that the most common causes of kidney inflammation in dogs are the following:

Veterinarians also note cases of nephritis in dogs that have been eating spoiled food for a long time. The risk group includes stray animals and dogs of decorative breeds with poorly developed undercoat.

In veterinary medicine, it is customary to divide nephritis in animals according to the nature of the process into acute, subacute, chronic and subchronic. The chronic form of the disease is a complication acute nephritis. At chronic course diseases, hyperthermia is of a jumping nature, the symptoms of intoxication are weakly expressed. Acute form The disease is accompanied by a feverish state, pronounced intoxication, and the rapid development of uremia.

By shape pathological process Veterinary specialists distinguish between diffuse and focal nephritis. In the first case inflammatory process affects all kidney tissues - the pelvis, parenchymal tissues and the vascular network of the glomeruli.

In the case of focal pathology, inflammation is localized in individual glomeruli. This form of the disease passes without hypertensive phenomena and edema. The blood flow in focal nephritis is not disturbed, and the symptoms of intoxication in the animal are not observed in this regard.

All kidney diseases in dogs are classified according to several criteria:

Kidney diseases in dogs can occur as an independent (primary) pathology, or as a result of complications of underlying diseases (secondary). Secondary renal failure occurs due to dysfunction of the immune system ( autoimmune diseases), vascular pathologies that occur as thrombosis, thromboembolism, arterial hypertension.

Stages of the disease

In veterinary practice, renal failure syndrome develops in the following stages:

  • Latent. During this phase of obvious clinical signs the owner usually does not observe. In rare cases, general weakness, increased fatigue, and lethargy are detected. Clinical studies of urine and blood carried out during this phase can reveal characteristic changes in parameters in the underlying pathology.
  • Compensated deficiency phase. The stage is characterized by the clinical manifestation of problems with the excretory system. The owner notices increased thirst in the dog and frequent urination. At this point, 50 - 55% of nephrons die. The level of urea in the blood can reach 20 mmol/l, the creatinine level can reach 200 µmol/l.
  • Stage of decompensated insufficiency. The number of disabled structural and functional units of the kidneys reaches 80%. The animal has not only problems with urination, but also general symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, weight loss. Blood tests record a persistent increase in urea and creatinine, which indicates a serious disorder of protein metabolism in the body.
  • Terminal. During this stage, the ability of the nephrons to filter blood is reduced to a minimum. The kidney function coefficient decreases to 15%, that is, the death of nephrons is 85%. The blood is sharply disturbed electrolyte balance, uremic intoxication develops. The animal has damage to the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Pathological processes at this stage of nephropathology are irreversible.

With timely contact from the owner and competent complex treatment the animal manages to completely restore the filtering capacity of the kidneys. The terminal stage usually ends with the death of the pet.

It is necessary to briefly talk about the issue that has already been touched upon above. What are the stages of a disease such as kidney failure in dogs? Symptoms and treatment vary for each, so it is important to know exactly what stage the disease is at. So, the first is the initial one, which is almost elusive.

You will have to work hard to notice it, as your pet will not show any obvious symptoms. The clinical stage will be described in this article in as much detail as possible, since it is at this stage that all the main symptoms become noticeable, and almost all courses of treatment are prescribed for it.

As for the final stage, you should under no circumstances allow it to occur. The fact is that it occurs when more than seventy percent of the kidney cells are destroyed, after which the organ is almost impossible to restore, and your dog faces a disappointing future. However, it is precisely so that you prevent the final stage from occurring, and this article exists, which will provide you with all the necessary information.

Common signs of kidney disease

The kidneys perform a number of functions necessary for normal life functions. The development of edematous phenomena and the accumulation of toxic substances in the bloodstream leads to malfunctions in the functioning of the entire animal’s body.

Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs have a number of characteristic features. But depending on the type of pathological process, there will be its own symptoms. The main signs for most pathological processes developing in the renal structures are:

  • change in the smell of urine (rotten, sour or too concentrated);
  • an increase or decrease in the excreted portion of urine;
  • the frequency of urination increases or, conversely, decreases;
  • change in the shade of excreted urine (depending on the type of pathological process, urine may acquire a reddish tint, become colorless, brown, cloudy or with suspensions);
  • loss of appetite and severe thirst;
  • a sharp decrease in body weight;
  • changes in body temperature;
  • the appearance of an ammonia odor from oral cavity in an animal;
  • eruption of gastric contents associated with stool disorders;
  • impaired coordination of movements, stiffness in the animal’s movements when walking;
  • feeling of discomfort during the act of urination;
  • uncontrolled acts of urination (the animal may pee on the bed, bedding or carpets);
  • the pet adopts an unnatural posture when going to the toilet.

In order to accurately determine the cause that led to the failure of the kidney structures, it is necessary to undergo a thorough clinical examination at a veterinary clinic. In addition to taking blood and urine tests, ultrasonography and radiography.

Accurate diagnosis is necessary to prescribe adequate treatment and determine the extent of kidney damage. Thanks to accurate research, a veterinary specialist will be able to develop individual treatment tactics.

Symptoms of the disease

With pyelonephritis it becomes inflamed connective tissue kidneys and renal pelvis. As a rule, the nature of this disease is bacterial and occurs as a result of infectious processes of the genital organs. Mostly both kidneys are affected.

The disease can occur so suddenly that the animal dies within 12 hours. In the chronic course of the disease, the animal becomes exhausted, becomes lethargic, and experiences pain when urinating.

With nephritis in dogs, the kidney parenchyma becomes inflamed and the glomerular vessels are affected (glomerulonephritis). The disease is immunoallergic in nature and is manifested by decreased appetite, increased body temperature, and depression. Animals often arch their backs unnaturally, swelling of the eyelids, intermaxillary space, abdomen, thighs, vomiting, and dyspeptic symptoms appear. His mucous membranes turn pale. As a secondary phenomenon, bronchitis and bronchopneumonia can develop.

Symptoms of azotemic uremia are alarming and life-threatening:

  • constriction of the pupil,
  • drowsiness,
  • vomit,
  • complete refusal of food,
  • shortness of breath in a dog, convulsive twitching

Signs of chronic renal failure

The most common condition in dogs is chronic renal failure. It is dangerous because the kidneys cannot excrete metabolic products along with urine. As a result, toxic substances accumulate in the blood: nitrogen, ammonia, acids and others. With this disease, the animal exhibits the following symptoms:

  1. thirst increases and the amount of urine increases,
  2. the dog loses its appetite and, accordingly, loses weight,
  3. may be vomiting
  4. depressive state
  5. a brownish coating appears on the surface of the tongue,
  6. ulcers may appear on the tongue and gums, and an ammonia odor may be noticeable when breathing

At a severe stage, the dog develops anemia and the animal falls into a coma. It should be borne in mind that similar symptoms indicate diseases such as diabetes mellitus in a dog, so the diagnosis is established only after a complete examination of the animal. However, these signs appear very late, at a stage when more than 70-80% of kidney functions have actually been lost.

First of all, it is necessary to prevent dehydration of the body, since the kidneys cannot cope with their functions and all the liquid is excreted along with the urine. The dog should always have fresh water. In the most serious cases, veterinarians inject the dog with fluid subcutaneously. The dog needs to be provided with proper nutrition, reducing the amount of waste, that is, the consumption of salt, protein and phosphorus. It is necessary to introduce iron and B vitamins into the diet.

If your dog eats dry food, you can switch to a special kidney diet, which is produced by some manufacturers, for example, Hill's and Royal Canin. Necessary and timely drug treatment, which should be systematic and supportive, aimed at detoxifying the body.

The course of antibiotic treatment must be carefully calibrated and drugs selected with the least nephrotoxicity. Yes, when kidney diseases Tetracyclines, polymyxins, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins are contraindicated. Therefore, only a veterinarian should prescribe treatment, as well as make a diagnosis.

Distemper in dogs is a viral disease characterized by damage to the skin, digestive and respiratory organs; in rare cases, the development of meningitis and encephalitis is noted. The virus affects dogs of all ages, although dogs between one month and two years of age are predominantly affected. Even marine animals are susceptible to the disease. Terriers and boxers are considered relatively resistant to canine distemper; humans do not get sick.

Asymptomatic virus carriage or a lightning-fast, violent course occurs. The duration of the disease can range from several days or weeks to several months. When the clinical picture of the disease is dominated by symptoms of damage to the respiratory system, they speak of a pulmonary form of the disease, when the nervous system is extensively affected, they speak of a nervous form.

It is possible to develop hyperkeratosis on the elbows and small focal baldness. There are discharges from the nose, which are transparent in the first stages of the development of the disease, but become mucopurulent over time. Sometimes there is clouding of the cornea, sticking or redness of the eyelids, shortness of breath appears, and wheezing is heard. The intestinal form of the disease is characterized by the development of diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms of damage to the nervous system include the appearance of tics, which begin in the muscles of the head. At the first stages it is not intense, but later it spreads to the limbs and becomes pronounced, as a result the animals do not sleep at night and often whine. Paralysis, paresis, and hyperkinesis gradually develop. At the last stage, meningoencephalitis develops, which is accompanied by severe intoxication and ends in death.

Treatment is prescribed only by a veterinarian.

Liver diseases in dogs can occur in acute or chronic form. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of diagnosed liver diseases in dogs, which is directly related to violations of the feeding regime of pets and the widespread prevalence of autoimmune diseases. Sometimes the cause of liver disease in dogs is iatrogenic lesions (caused by a veterinarian).

Symptoms of liver disease in dogs are conventionally divided into a number of syndromes, among which are usually distinguished:

  • cholestatic syndrome;
  • cytolytic syndrome;
  • mesenchymal inflammatory syndrome;
  • hemorrhagic syndrome;
  • dyspeptic syndrome;
  • portal hypertension syndrome;
  • hepatolienal syndrome;
  • hepatodepressive syndrome;
  • liver shunt syndrome.

Cholestatic syndrome involves a violation of the secretion and release of bile, which manifests itself skin itching, jaundice, a tendency to eczematous skin lesions, discoloration of feces.

Cholestatic syndrome is a consequence of the destruction of liver cells and leads to fever (increased temperature), enlargement and tenderness of the liver, and an increase in liver enzymes is observed in blood tests.

Mesenchymal-inflammatory syndrome is characterized by damage to the stroma and mesenchyme of the liver, which is manifested by an increase in the level of immunoglobulins.

Hemorrhagic syndrome is manifested by various bleedings and hemorrhages, anemia.

Portal hypertension syndrome is manifested by an increase in the size of the abdomen and dilation of the veins on the skin of the abdomen.

Dyspeptic syndrome is manifested by lethargy, depression, vomiting, defecation disorders and weight loss.

Hepatolienal syndrome is manifested by an enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Hepatodepressive syndrome is manifested by a violation of the protein-synthesizing, antitoxic and excretory functions of the liver; the symptoms are very numerous.

Liver shunt syndrome allows life-threatening substances to enter the dog's general bloodstream, causing damage to the central nervous system.

Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs

Kidney diseases are reported more often in dogs than in other animals, and their frequency increases over the years. According to scientists, in dogs over 8 years of age, in almost fifty percent of cases, clearly severe symptoms kidney damage. With histological examination, the number increases to eighty percent.

The main syndromes of kidney damage include:

  • nephrotic syndrome;
  • uremic syndrome;
  • pain syndrome;
  • osteorenal syndrome;
  • renal eclampsia syndrome.

Pain syndrome is manifested by the dog's desire to lie in a cold place, frequent arching of the back, the need for frequent urination, pain when urinating, soreness of the back muscles (can be checked by pressing with fingers), swelling and transient paresis.

Nephrotic syndrome is manifested by edema, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, oliguria and cylindruria, detected during laboratory tests.

Uremic syndrome is manifested by apathy, lack of appetite, vomiting, persistently recurrent diarrhea, urine odor from the mouth, anemia and anuria.

Osteorenal syndrome is characterized by bone deformation and osteoporosis, hypocalcemia and osteodystrophy.

Renal eclampsia syndrome is manifested by tonic-clonic seizures, nephrotic syndrome and episcleral vascular injection (eye redness).

Urolithiasis in dogs is a disease characterized by the formation of stones in the kidneys, bladder or their retention in the ureters or urethra.

This disease is considered a relatively rare disease for dogs, in contrast to cats, in which urolithiasis is often recorded. It is common for dogs to develop bladder stones.

Predisposing factors to the development of urolithiasis in dogs are:

    • age (usually found in dogs aged 2-8 years);
    • gender (occurs equally often in both sexes, urethral obstruction occurs more often in males);
    • breed ( large breeds less susceptible to disease than small ones);
    • diet (food rich in protein, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium provokes the development of the disease);
    • indoor maintenance and exercise (the list includes infrequent walks, a small amount of water in the bowl and low physical activity).

The main symptoms of urolithiasis in dogs include:

  • vomiting and pain;
  • frequent urination;
  • tension when urinating;
  • blood in urine;
  • weakness;
  • depression;
  • constant leakage of urine in drops;
  • loss of appetite.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosing kidney disease is a very difficult task - you shouldn't even try to do it yourself. Information gleaned from medical reference books and on the Internet should help you detect the disease on time, but nothing more.

Often, problems with kidney function are similar symptoms with other serious diseases, which means that an error in diagnosis can cost the animal its life. That is why, at the slightest suspicion, you should do full examination the dog’s body, namely to carry out general analysis blood and urine, ultrasound and x-ray. Under no circumstances should conclusions be drawn based solely on the clinical picture of the disease.

Having discovered four-legged friend symptoms of nephritis, the owner should immediately contact a specialized institution. Veterinary specialist, in addition to general examination animal, palpation of the kidney area, tonometry, prescribe a clinical blood and urine test.

Red and white blood cells, renal epithelium and salts are found in urine. Proteinuria and hematuria are characteristic conditions for kidney inflammation. A clinical blood test usually shows elevated state protein, leukocytes and creatinine.

An effective tool in making a diagnosis is ultrasound examination. The method allows you to identify the localization of inflammation, estimate the size of the diseased organ, and detect destructive changes in the parenchyma.

Contrast x-rays and a kidney biopsy can help make the diagnosis. The disease should be differentiated from nephrosis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, inflammation Bladder.

Taking an anamnesis allows the veterinarian to suspect the development of renal failure after an infectious or non-infectious disease of the excretory system. During a clinical examination, edema, dehydration, and signs of heart failure may be detected. An important diagnostic component is laboratory analysis of blood and urine.

An increase in urea and creatinine indicates a serious violation of the filtering ability of nephrons and a violation of nitrogen metabolism in the pet’s body.

Normally, the urea level in dogs is 3.5 - 9.2 mmol/l, and the creatinine concentration is 26 - 120 µmol/l. With moderate renal failure, the urea level in the blood of a sick animal reaches 28 mmol/l, and in the terminal phase – 50 and higher.

The concentration of creatinine in the stage of compensated deficiency increases to 400 µmol/l, in the terminal stage – 600 µmol/l. Such high values ​​indicate a complete cessation of the filtration function of the kidneys, poisoning of the body with nitrogenous metabolic products and mean death for the pet.

In addition to protein metabolism indicators, mineral metabolism also changes in the blood. In the chronic form of the disease, an increase in the concentration of phosphorus in the blood is observed, while the calcium content decreases. Low hemocrit values ​​during the disease indicate a disturbance in the process of erythropoiesis in the body of a sick dog. Protein and sugar are found in the urine.

Ultrasound diagnostics allows you to assess the size of the kidneys. As a rule, in the case of the development of an acute form of the disease, upon examination, the doctor discovers an enlargement of the organ, and with the development of chronic kidney failure, the kidneys decrease in size. Postrenal pathologies, for example, urolithiasis, can also be detected by X-ray examination.

Based on the results of laboratory, physical, instrumental studies and analyzing the collected information, the veterinarian makes a diagnosis and develops an individual treatment regimen. It has been established that the most common cause Kidney pathology in dogs is a violation of maintenance, errors in the diet of pets. Thus, the main blame lies with the owners of the animals.

Lab tests

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is developing kidney failure, you should definitely visit your veterinarian and run some laboratory tests. The fact is that the efficiency of the kidneys can be easily checked using a blood test for urea and creatinine.

As already mentioned above, on initial stages the disease cannot be detected, since living cells distribute the functions of the dead among themselves, so the level of urea and creatinine in the blood will be normal. And it is this norm that you should constantly check. For a dog, it is considered normal to have one to two milligrams of creatinine and 10-25 milligrams of urea per hundred milliliters of blood.

Common kidney diseases in dogs and their treatment

  • Glomerulonephritis – an inflammatory process in the kidneys, which is often caused by infection entering the body. The disease can also be triggered by wounds, infectious diseases, allergies, and inflammation of internal organs. First of all, the disease strikes renal glomeruli, and then adjacent tissues. Clinical signs of the disease are: swelling, blood in the urine, fever, painful sensations in the lower back, a sharp increase in pressure. Typically, veterinarians prescribe hormones to relieve inflammation, and antibiotics to suppress existing inflammation or prevent possible infection. Certain painkillers are also prescribed; for example, Vicasol is used to stop bleeding. The treatment process for glomerulonephritis involves serious limitations physical activity pet, a special diet and taking additional medications.
  • Nephrosis is damage to the renal tubules, which leads to serious disturbances in protein metabolism, as well as general intoxication of the body. The factor leading to the onset of the disease can be any viral disease (in this case, nephrosis is considered a complication), a disruption in the functioning of the system, malignant tumors, poisoning, congenital defects, and other diseases. Therapy for this disease depends on the cause of its occurrence. Doctors spend most of their efforts on eliminating the root cause. Treatment is symptomatic and individual. Reduction needed physical activity and a certain diet.
  • Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory disease caused by certain bacteria. However, there is a small chance that a virus or fungus can trigger the disease. Pyelonephritis can also occur as a complication of diseases such as cystitis, purulent inflammation any of the internal organs or venereal disease. The main clinical signs of pyelonephritis are: apathy and lethargy, increased blood pressure, complete or partial refusal of food, fever and stiff gait. To relieve symptoms of the disease, doctors use painkillers, blood pressure medications, antispasmodics, antibiotics, and immunomodulators to increase the dog’s immunity.
  • Kidney failure - with this disease, the organs are actually unable to normally perform their direct functions. This condition can last from a couple of hours to three to four days. Among the factors that can influence the onset of the disease are intoxication, infections, ischemia, or injury. Clinical signs of the disease are as follows: urination drop by drop, swelling, severe pain, especially in the belt area, lethargy and partial refusal to eat. Vomiting is also possible, severe itching and the presence of blood in the urine. Acute renal failure is extremely dangerous disease requiring immediate medical intervention. The chronic form of the disease occurs as a kind of complication of another kidney disease. It has similar, but weaker symptoms.
  • Hereditary kidney diseases such as amyloidosis, are not very common in dogs. However, they are extremely difficult to treat. Often, a specialist can only slow down the destructive processes inside the organ. At the same time, certain defects, for example, the presence of a double kidney, do not lead to any negative consequences. The irony is that a healthy organ suffers much more from various diseases.
  • urolithiasis disease- the appearance of stones in the animal’s kidneys.

There are a number of factors that provoke or contribute to the development of pathological conditions of the renal structures. The most common causes of kidney disease are poor nutrition With low content useful substances, genetic diseases, infections and bacterial lesions, disturbances in the functioning of the body’s defenses, tumor processes, acute intoxication, accumulation of toxic substances in the body, as well as dehydration of the dog’s body, leading to poor blood supply within the kidneys themselves.

The most common diseases diagnosed in dogs are:

  1. Polycystic kidney disease in dogs is a genetic disease that is inherited. Genetic anomalies that disrupt the functioning of renal structures also include amyloidosis and dysplasia; they are difficult to treat therapeutic techniques, but it is within the power of the doctor to stop the pathological destructive process and restore the functioning of organs as much as possible. Animals with polycystic kidney disease can live quite a long life, provided the owner follows the rules of feeding and supportive care.
  2. Kidney stones in dogs - a disease called urolithiasis, is not as common in dogs as in cats, but also causes kidney problems. The disease occurs as a result of the formation of stones from salts present in urine. Kidney stones can be small or large, and when moving through the kidney canals, they can lead to blockage and serious inflammation. Treatment of this pathology includes taking medications, dissolving small stones, as well as surgical intervention to break up large stones and then remove them from the body.
  3. Glomerulonephritis– inflammatory processes that do not have a direct connection with the infectious agent. Pathology occurs as a result of exposure to allergic substances on the body, inflammatory processes of internal organs, as well as previously suffered bacterial or viral infections. With glomerulonephritis, characteristic symptoms are a sharp increase in blood pressure, peripheral edema, changes in the color of urine and an increase in body temperature.
  4. Pyelonephritis is inflammation of the kidney structures caused by the development of pathogenic bacterial microflora. Pyelonephritis occurs as a result of exposure to staphylococcal, intestinal infections, as well as due to infection of the body by viral or fungal microorganisms. The disease can develop independently, but quite often pyelonephritis is a secondary complication against the background of inflammation of the bladder and purulent processes in other internal organs. Signs of pyelonephritis are expressed in the animal’s lack of appetite, severe lethargy, stiffness when walking, and an increase in body temperature to high levels. Treatment of inflammatory processes in the kidneys includes taking painkillers and antispasmodics, as well as drugs that reduce arterial pressure. In the treatment of pyelonephritis, it is mandatory to use antibiotics, which are selected by the doctor taking into account the age, weight and health status of the patient.
  5. Nephrosis is a destructive process that develops in the tubules of renal structures. As a result of a systemic pathological process, protein metabolism is disrupted, and unfiltered toxic substances are not removed from the body, but enter back into the systemic bloodstream. Causes of nephrosis a large number of. This can be systemic poisoning, tumor processes in the animal’s body, incorrect and untimely treatment of kidney pathologies, and congenital diseases. Depending on the cause that led to destructive changes in the kidney tubules, the veterinarian prescribes a treatment regimen. A mandatory criterion is compliance with specific dietary nutrition, as well as the prescription of drugs that eliminate the main symptoms of the disease.
  6. Chronic kidney failure is a slowly progressive disease associated with the gradual loss of functional features renal structures. Most often, the disease progresses slowly and without severe symptoms, affecting both kidneys at once. The appearance of characteristic symptoms of chronic renal failure occurs when one of the paired organs has already ceased functioning, and the other is 1/3 affected. Treatment of the pathology is symptomatic, since a complete cure is not possible.
  7. Hypoplasia of the renal cortex is a congenital disease. It occurs in certain breeds of dogs and involves disruption of the processes of removing toxic substances from the body. Against the background of hypoplasia, kidney failure occurs. Symptoms of renal hypoplasia are characterized by a large amount of excreted urine, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease has no cure and is used exclusively in veterinary medicine. symptomatic therapy, to maintain the life of the pet. Most often, the animal dies from severe intoxication of the body.

The kidneys remove less substances from the body and, as a result, they accumulate. Dogs over 5 years old are at risk.

Causes of kidney failure

In most cases, kidney failure occurs due to diseases that affect the vessels that filter the blood.

Also, the cause may be prolonged exposure to infection on the kidneys, congenital defects in the form of thickening of the internal structure of the kidney, inflammatory processes, as well as cancerous tumors.

The causes of chronic renal failure in dogs are kidney diseases such as:

  • pyelonephritis,
  • glomerulonephritis,
  • renal dysplasia,
  • heavy metal intoxication,
  • renal amyloidosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease often develop very slowly and may not appear even if one kidney is completely damaged and a third of the second kidney is damaged.

  • The disease manifests itself in a general depressed state of dogs.
  • The amount of urine changes sharply. It can become much larger due to the fact that the body cannot retain fluid
  • There is a frequent urge to urinate, which may be false
  • The animal constantly drinks, periodically the dog experiences diarrhea and vomiting, it loses weight and appetite
  • Swelling may appear, the pulse rate increases, and the mucous membranes turn pale.
  • In some cases, stomatitis, tremors, muscle weakness may appear.

Symptoms may not appear constantly and one by one, so it is very important to consider them in time and contact a veterinarian for treatment to be effective.

Further therapy

Treatment is carried out using such therapy methods as:

  • drug therapy;
  • physiotherapy;
  • dietetics;
  • surgery.

Of great importance in treatment renal pathologies and preventing the progression and recurrence of diseases has diet therapy. With the help of an adequately designed diet it is possible to:

  • reduce the symptoms of pathology in the form of dyspeptic disorders;
  • reducing the amount of protein in the diet helps cope with acidosis;
  • an increase in fiber content in the feed provides an alternative route for the elimination of toxins and metabolic products - with feces;
  • ensure the supply of minerals and vitamins to restore metabolism;
  • restoring body weight with foods containing non-protein calories, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

IN as a last resort, surgery may be required, for example, to remove kidney stones. The problem is that not all veterinary clinics can provide surgical treatment renal pathology. To avoid serious pathologies kidneys, long-term and expensive treatment requires the use of preventive methods.

Firstly, it quenches the pet’s thirst, secondly, it rids the animal’s body of toxins, and thirdly, it reduces the load on the kidneys, which are already working to the limit of their capabilities. Accordingly, depending on the severity of the disease, this therapy will have its own frequency. If the disease was diagnosed already in the clinical stage, then therapy sessions will need to be carried out daily, but if it was identified at a critical stage, then sessions will have to be carried out more often.

And, of course, chronic renal failure in dogs is a disease that will not go away, since the cells of this internal organ are not restored. You can only normalize the state of the body and then maintain it in working condition on your own. To do this, you will either need to visit your veterinarian periodically for intravenous therapy, or, if the disease was not at a critical stage, this therapy can be administered subcutaneously at home. One way or another, you need to constantly consult with your veterinarian to determine the effectiveness of treatment and the frequency of further sessions.

Prevention of kidney disease in dogs

To prevent the occurrence of kidney disease, animal owners should strictly follow the following rules:

  • You should not allow your pet to come into contact with street dogs. In addition, the animal must be vaccinated on time and undergo antihelminthic prophylaxis. It is also worth checking the condition of the dog’s oral cavity several times a month - any inflammatory process in the mouth can negatively affect the functioning of the kidneys.
  • The dog must be fed correctly. Deviation from the norm, obesity, anorexia or exhaustion have an extremely negative impact on the functioning of internal organs, including the kidneys. Gastrointestinal problems cause many kidney diseases, especially if the dog is older. Owners should also seriously think about the fact that cheap food or too much protein leads to overload of this organ.
  • You should give your pet water that you drink yourself. Also, the dog should not be allowed to suffer from thirst often.
  • The dog must be physically active. It is recommended to exercise or actively walk the animal at least several times a week.
  • Under no circumstances should the dog be allowed to become hypothermic or exposed to a draft. In winter, older animals should be wrapped or dressed. In addition, pets should not sleep on a cold floor or near a fan.
  • You should also not use particularly strict types of collars. It’s better to spend some money on a dog trainer and teach your dog to listen to commands. Constant pressure on the neck can lead to displacement of internal organs, disruption of the urination process, and deterioration of blood flow.

If the dog suddenly receives a noticeable injury at the site of the kidneys, it should be immediately taken to the veterinarian. Such an incident can provoke violations that may well not manifest themselves until several months or even years later.

It is possible that even if the disease is correctly diagnosed, it cannot be completely cured. The disease can progress or become chronic. It is ignoring the symptoms of kidney disease that most often leads to a similar outcome.

A biochemical urine test every six months can insure you against the sudden onset of diseases and significantly facilitate possible treatment

It is recommended to conduct diagnostic examinations of your pet in veterinary clinics once every 6 months. You can simply donate urine once every six months to monitor the state of the kidney structures. This will avoid the development of chronic renal failure and other pathological conditions that are difficult to treat.

Can be used as prophylaxis medicines created on the basis of plant extracts. One of these drugs is Phytoelita " Healthy Kidneys" This is a drug restorative action, which has antispasmodic, salt-removing and anti-inflammatory effects.

An important part of preventing kidney disease in dogs is a properly formulated diet. Severe obesity, as well as emaciation, have a sharply negative effect on the kidneys. Systemic disruptions in the work of the entire digestive system are closely associated with kidney disease in dogs, especially after 5 years of age.

A large amount of protein, cheap types of food, and food that the dog cannot digest create heavy loads on the kidneys. The danger of kidney diseases is that in the absence of characteristic symptoms or if treatment is not provided in a timely manner, the ailments become chronic and are not completely cured.

  • Take your old dog to the vet regularly, at least, once a year (ideally every 6 months). Blood or urine tests can help detect kidney disease at an early stage.
  • Measure your dog's water intake every month. If it starts to grow, it may be a sign of kidney disease or another disorder. Normal water consumption should generally not exceed 100 ml per kg of dog weight per day. However, remember that if your dog's diet consists of dry food, he or she may drink a little more!
  • Of course, monitor your dog for the symptoms listed above and take him to the vet if you are concerned.

In order to prevent the development of severe kidney pathology in their four-legged friend, veterinarians give owners the following advice and recommendations:

  • Preventive vaccination of pets against infectious diseases.
  • Regular deworming at least 3 times a year.
  • Feeding with fresh food. Balanced diet.
  • Prevention of poisoning.
  • Keeping dogs in warm, dry, draft-free rooms.
  • Gradual hardening of pets.
  • Boosting immunity.
  • Prevention of hypothermia. Toy breeds of dogs should be walked in special protective overalls.
  • Timely treatment of colds.

There is a breed predisposition to kidney pathologies in dogs. For example, Dalmatians, dachshunds, bulldogs, and terriers are more likely to develop urolithiasis than other breeds. Therefore, the owner must know the characteristics of his pet’s breed and carry out the prevention of kidney pathologies:

  1. Visit your veterinarian regularly to monitor your kidney condition and function.
  2. Maintain a drinking regime, especially when feeding dry food and high motor activity dogs, as well as during hot periods.
  3. As you age, visits to the veterinary clinic should be regular - at least once every 6 months.

As the experience of veterinarians and statistical data shows, the health and well-being of his pet depends on the responsible behavior of the owner. This is also true for kidney pathologies in dogs.

Dietary nutrition for pathology

The therapeutic diet for renal failure has a minimal protein content. The bulk of a sick pet's diet should consist of fats and carbohydrates. Products must contain a minimum amount of phosphorus; salt is completely excluded. Veterinary specialists, as a rule, recommend that during treatment the pet be switched to medicated food, specially designed for problems with the excretory system.

Well, the last point that you should focus on is nutrition. Once the worst is behind you, you'll need to think about what to do next. How to keep your pet in good condition? To do this, you will need to think through his diet in as much detail as possible. Fortunately, a wide variety of dietary pet foods are now publicly available, and among them you can find special options designed for dogs with kidney failure.


veterinary therapist

What is acute renal failure and why does it occur?

Acute renal failure(OPN) – this is severe pathological condition, which is a violation of the excretory function of the kidneys. This process develops rapidly, is usually reversible, and is accompanied by sharp changes in acid-base, water and electrolyte balance, a decrease in the kidneys' excretion of various substances from the body and, as a result, their accumulation.

The causes of such changes are a sharp decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, damage to the kidney tissue and/or disturbances in the outflow of urine from the kidneys. In other words, acute renal failure occurs:

  • Prerenal(“prerenal”) – develops with a sharp drop in blood pressure and disruption of intrarenal blood circulation due to shock of various origins(bleeding, poisoning, infection, heat stroke), dehydration, heart failure.
  • Renal(“renal”) – develops when bacterial infections kidneys (pyelonephritis), inflammatory kidney diseases (acute glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis) and systemic infectious diseases (leptospirosis). The cause of the development of acute renal failure may be the effect on the tissue structures of the kidneys of various toxic substances (ethylene glycol, salts of heavy metals, aniline), medicines(aminoglycosides, chemotherapy drugs, radiocontrast agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some other drugs), snake venom. Renal renal failure can be caused by blockage of the renal tubules with hemoglobin from destroyed red blood cells during their massive hemolysis, for example, with piroplasmosis or as a result of diseases accompanied by the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (poisoning with hemolytic poison, severe forms sepsis).
  • Postrenal(“postrenal”) – develops when there is blockage or compression of the urinary tract (ureters, bladder or urethra), due to urolithiasis, tumor, enlargement prostate gland in males and other reasons.

In addition to the excretory function, the kidneys perform a number of other functions in the body - they regulate the composition of blood and other body fluids, participate in water-salt metabolism, the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and synthesize biologically active substances that regulate blood pressure and the process of hematopoiesis. Therefore, renal failure (especially chronic) leads to additional disorders, such as a drop in hemoglobin levels, disorders of hormone-dependent functions and calcium metabolism.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances, as well as the accumulation of metabolic products in the blood, give rise to complications in the cardiovascular and nervous systems, leading to gastrointestinal disorders and bleeding, as well as suppression of the immune system.

How does acute renal failure manifest?

Clinical signs of acute renal failure are nonspecific: general depression, change in urine volume (decreased urine volume, up to complete cessation of urination), weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite or lack thereof, increased pulse rate, swelling, pallor or redness of the mucous membranes. Heaviness clinical manifestations may vary from minor violations, invisible to the owner, to the most severe disorders.
If any such symptoms are detected, the animal should be taken to the clinic immediately.

Which patients most often have acute renal failure?

The high-risk group includes patients suffering from kidney disease, severe trauma or systemic disease (pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, liver disease). Additional risk factors include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, low or high blood pressure, fever, and sepsis.

How does a doctor diagnose acute renal failure?

The diagnosis of acute renal failure is made on the basis of information provided by the animal owner (history), examination, and most importantly, the results of laboratory tests. An important symptom is a decrease in the amount of urine excreted by the animal (oliguria) or its complete absence (anuria). Upon examination, all or some of the following signs may be detected: the smell of urine in the exhaled air, pale mucous membranes, weakness, signs of dehydration, low temperature. The kidneys may be enlarged and painful. According to laboratory tests, there is a rapid development of azotemia, that is, an increase in the content of urea and creatinine in the blood (they are the main indicators of kidney function). In addition, phosphorus levels and blood acidity usually increase. Urine analysis reveals the presence of protein and glucose, as well as casts and cells renal epithelium in the sediment, the appearance of salt crystals and red blood cells is also possible. In addition, X-ray diagnostics are used, including with the introduction of special substances into the blood (for example, to exclude kidney stones, determine their size, the level of blood supply to the kidneys and other pathologies), ultrasound diagnostics and, in some cases, kidney biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of patients with acute renal failure should be comprehensive and aimed at eliminating the cause, stimulating diuresis, correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disorders, removing accumulated toxins from the body, and eliminating systemic complications. These patients require intensive therapy in an inpatient department of the clinic.

First of all, doctors try to eliminate the cause that caused the development of acute renal failure (shock, bleeding, dehydration, infection, cardiac dysfunction, etc.), which can itself help restore diuresis. If postrenal renal failure is established, it is necessary to ensure the free flow of urine as soon as possible (introduction urinary catheter, pumping urine with a syringe through the abdominal wall, or using surgery). In parallel, measures are being taken to restore the adequate process of formation and excretion of urine (drugs are prescribed that improve intrarenal blood flow, microcirculation in the kidney tissues, diuretics that are administered intravenously, strictly dosed using intravenous dispensers under the constant supervision of the attending physician).

To correct water-electrolyte balance and acid-base disorders, infusion therapy is necessary. Choice therapeutic tactics depends on the nature of the main and concomitant diseases, the degree of kidney damage and the general condition of the patient. Infusion therapy is usually continued until the urea and creatinine levels reach normal levels, adequate diuresis is established, and the patient's general condition is stabilized.

During the treatment period, it is necessary to constantly monitor the vital functions of the sick animal’s body: evaluate it clinical condition, volume of urine excreted per hour, urea and creatinine indicators, electrolytes and blood gases, red blood indicators - hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, blood color index (to monitor the development of anemia), as well as other laboratory indicators.

A complication of kidney failure may be an increase in potassium ions in the blood, which can lead to muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances. A common complication renal failure is vomiting. Its cause may be the effect of toxins on the central nervous system and/or peptic ulcer gastrointestinal tract. To prevent this complication, drugs that protect the gastrointestinal mucosa and antiemetic drugs are used.

In the case of the development of irreversible pathological changes in the renal tissue, when renal function is not fully restored, acute renal failure passes into the chronic stage, which gradually develops and is characterized by progressive irreversible damage to the renal parenchyma. The end stage of chronic renal failure is acute renal failure, but it is irreversible and the prognosis in this case is unfavorable.

For patients with severe, intractable electrolyte and other disturbances, as well as for patients in terminal stage chronic renal failure, peritoneal dialysis is indicated. This procedure is performed only in a clinical setting. To carry out dialysis to an animal into the abdominal cavity under general anesthesia drains are installed through which a special liquid is injected and left in the abdominal cavity for a certain time. During this period, the body passes into this fluid harmful substances, and an exchange of electrolytes and water occurs. Fluid is then removed from the abdominal cavity. The process is repeated periodically.

Despite timely medical assistance and adequate treatment patients often die from acute renal failure due to the development of irreversible, incompatible with life, disturbances in the functioning of the body.

Nutrition

Animals with renal failure must receive nutrients. If the animal feeds on its own, then all that is necessary is to feed it with special medicinal dietary food. A diet for kidney failure is characterized by a reduced content of protein, phosphorus and sodium in the dog's diet.

If there is no appetite, but there is no vomiting, then they resort to feeding through a tube. If vomiting is present, then use parenteral nutrition (intravenous administration solutions of amino acids, lipids and glucose).

One of the most common pathologies is kidney failure in dogs. This disease is characterized by a violation of the excretory function of organs. The process is progressing rapidly. It is accompanied by changes in electrolyte, as well as alkaline-acid and water balance.

Kidney failure in dogs

This pathology is most common in older dogs.. Signs of impairment become noticeable after more than 75% of the kidney tissue has been lost.

Kidney failure is more common in older dogs.

If the diagnosis is timely and the therapy is correct, the pet’s life will be significantly easier.

Acute and chronic pathologies

There are 2 forms of pathology - acute and chronic.

In the first case we are talking about a potentially reversible condition. Most often, veterinarians are faced with a chronic form of the disease. It progresses against the background of rapidly developing nephron deficiency.

In veterinary practice, dogs with a chronic form of the disease are usually encountered.

Chronic form The treatment is very long and difficult. The prognosis is not always positive. The pathology is considered irreversible when 500 thousand out of 800,000 nephrons are damaged.

Causes of acute renal failure

There are many factors that provoke kidney failure. The main cause is considered to be the penetration of poisons or infections into the body.

Another provocateur is a previous injury. For some animals, the disease is inherited.

The disease can be inherited.

Acute renal failure is divided into several types:

  1. Prerenal.
  2. Renal.
  3. Postrenal.

Reason prerenal renal failure is a shock that arose from various sources. The provocateur of this condition is considered to be a sharp decrease in blood pressure. Impaired blood circulation inside the kidneys also plays a role.

Reason renal renal failure is the penetration of infection into the body. Sometimes the inflammatory process develops against the background of the activity of certain medications.

Reason postrenal renal insufficiency is . Symptoms occur due to blockage of the urinary tract.

Symptoms and signs

The main symptoms of kidney failure include:

  • increased thirst;
  • frequent urination;
  • loss of appetite;
  • vomiting;
  • general weakness.

With kidney failure, a dog experiences increased thirst.

Treatment involves removing toxins from the dog's body.

Intensive therapy is prescribed. Elimination of the causes of pathology plays a huge role. In order to correct the water balance, infusor treatment is carried out. Therapy is relevant until the content of creatine and urea is stabilized.

During therapy, other functions of the canine body should not be disrupted.

If the disease has become chronic, irreversible consequences are observed in the organs . In this case, it is carried out. This manipulation is carried out only in a veterinary clinic.

Carrying out drug therapy

To replenish potassium reserves, the animal is prescribed Panangin. For calcium loss - vitamin D3, as well as calcium.

In order to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended to take Omez, Zantac, Ranitidine. To reduce uremic vomiting, the use of Papaverine and Cerucal is prescribed. In order to lower blood pressure, it is recommended to take Enap. To select the dose, control measurements are required.

The drug Omez is used to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding.

You can't feed your dog cheese.

The diet for renal failure should have a small content of calcium, protein, and phosphorus supplements. You need to give your animal food often, but little by little. It is very important to provide him with access to a bowl of fresh water.

It is forbidden to feed your pet:

  • cheese;
  • offal;
  • bones;
  • yolks;
  • fish oil;
  • vegetable oils.
  1. Approximately 1/2 of a sick animal's menu should consist of carbohydrates. You can give your dog mashed white potatoes, sticky rice, semolina porridge. Sometimes rolled oats are allowed. It can be combined with millet and millet.
  2. In order to reduce phosphorus in the body, it is allowed to add ground food to food eggshells . For 1/2 kg. 1/2 tsp of food is enough.
  3. If you have chronic renal failure, you can treat your dog with veterinary wet food Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Renal.
  4. Great benefit to the animal's body will bring consumption of fresh protein foods. You can give your pet tripe, proteins, and raw meat.

Finally

If she still does not vomit, food is administered to her using a special probe. If vomiting is present, substances necessary for the body are delivered through a dropper into a vein.

Kidney failure, which often affects our most beloved dogs, is considered the most dangerous, severe kidney disease, manifested by impaired filtration (the main function of the kidneys). In other words, taking into account various kinds of reasons, the kidneys are not able to remove toxic substances that are dangerous to its body from the blood of an animal, which are formed during the life process of the body. Immediately after the kidneys stop functioning normally, poisoning occurs in dogs.

Kidney failure– one of the most dangerous diseases, often leading to death in domestic animals. This problem V Lately has gained such a broad turn that veterinarians have become very interested in it.

I would like to immediately emphasize that such a disease as renal failure does not exist in principle either in animals or in humans: this is a series external manifestations a number of kidney diseases. Kidney failure, like in humans, is caused in dogs for various reasons, however general symptoms still exists - the kidneys work very poorly, and ultimately, if they are not treated, they fail and the dog dies.

Causes of the disease

Cause of kidney failure:

  • An infection that entered the dog's body from outside.
  • Toxic substances from the environment.
  • Trauma and illnesses once suffered by the dog.
  • Bad food with high content salt.
  • Age-related changes.
  • Genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of kidney failure

For dogs, kidney failure is quite serious illness , accompanied strong thirst. Consider the fact that a healthy dog ​​(per kilogram of weight) consumes up to fifty milliliters of water per day. A sick dog consumes 2 times more fluid. Also, the dog’s body suffers from dehydration, a sharp drop in temperature, a depressed general condition of the animal’s body is observed, and an unpleasant smell often comes from the mouth. sour smell, the dog often swears and vomits. Vomiting does not immediately appear: at first the animal begins to eat little, then eats food reluctantly and intermittently, and then stops eating altogether, because vomiting is observed after each meal. Also, the dog may urinate frequently or, conversely, with a long delay.

If a dog's kidney failure has reached the acute stage, the animal generally ceases to show any signs of activity: it does not play, does not jump, but only eats little by little and sleeps a lot.

The veterinarian makes a diagnosis of “renal failure” only after he has carried out all the necessary tests. Having received the test results and all the data on how the animal feels, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment. Urinalysis is very important in this aspect. The urine of a dog with kidney failure contains nitrogen-containing carboxylic acid (creatine) and phosphorus. Poor dog urine analysis - significant protein content, excess glucose. In addition to a urine test, the veterinarian may additionally prescribe an ultrasound, x-ray and biopsy.

Stages of disease development

Kidney failure in a dog cannot just happen. It is a consequence of the above reasons and is divided into stages, each of which is too significant not to pay attention to it

There are two general stages of kidney failure and both are very dangerous: Causes of occurrence acute stage: toxic effects on the body of too toxic substances consumed by the dog; shock, taking poisonous drugs, chemicals in the treatment of other animal diseases. The acute stage of kidney failure in dogs is not as dangerous as chronic, After all, it is possible to completely cure a dog in the acute stage, whereas in the chronic form, the disease “renal failure” is no longer curable.

Veterinarians divide the acute form of renal failure into the following stages:

  • Compensation stage, occupying up to ninety percent of development time of this disease. At this stage, the dog does not show itself in any way, as usual, frolics, sleeps and eats well. But... if the observant owner smelled bad smell urine, noticed, if possible, the unusual consistency and color of urine, submitted it for analysis to veterinary clinic, the doctor will identify the disease very quickly.
  • The disease has not yet manifested itself. Significant morphological and functional disorders, although you should not be afraid of a sad outcome. By submitting your dog's urine for analysis to a veterinary clinic, you can find out that the dog has kidney failure, but without testing. biochemical analysis blood of the animal, the veterinarian will not be able to tell the owner about the stage. An additional diagnostic ultrasound examination from a highly qualified veterinarian will not be superfluous.
  • Decompensation. The dog is in a very poor condition, the owner himself notices this. The dog is still drinking and eating, but is less active and happy as before. A urine test is mandatory.
  • Terminal (most dangerous) stage. The kidneys are failing, and the day is not far off when you can say goodbye to the dog, as she is overcome by a renal coma.

I would like to note that a veterinarian can make a diagnosis of “acute renal failure” without problems if his clinic has a modern, improved diagnostic equipment. If you love your pet, never think about money or time while you're watching your pet misbehave for a couple of days. Take him to the vet and get timely diagnosis and tests to save his life.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment for kidney failure in dogs involves :

  • intensive infusion therapy sorbilact, special solutions, rheosobilact, with the help of Ringer-Lock - a plasma-substituting liquid made on the basis of salt;
  • the use of dopamine, lespenefril, mannitol and Lasix;
  • enterosorption therapy. The dog should be given the drugs Canephron, Belosorb-P and Heptral;
  • low protein diet;
  • homeopathic therapy: give the drug Solidago compositum C

Prevention of kidney failure

Prevention of this disease is based, first of all, on providing the animal with proper nutrition. If your dog still has an excellent appetite and eats well, we recommend supplementing his diet with diet food and a protein diet.

An excellent modern remedy for the treatment of renal failure in animals - renal diet- the basis of an improved medical treatment pets at any stage of the disease. This renal diet helps prevent or even significantly reduce uremia in the acute stage, restore electrolyte balance, and prevent the chronic form from developing quickly. Recent studies have found that renal diet (food) added to dogs' daily diet significantly prevents the risk of kidney failure in dogs.

Kidney failure in dogs is a disorder of the kidneys in which the excretory capacity completely stops or decreases. Toxic substances accumulate in the body, and the general condition of the animal worsens. This pathology at the initial stage is almost never not detected, since owners very rarely check urine and blood at diagnostic intervals. Animals over 5 years of age are most susceptible to the disease.

Breeds at risk

The following dog breeds are most susceptible to developing kidney failure:

  1. Golden retriever.
  2. English cocker spaniel.
  3. Shih Tzu.
  4. Bull Terrier.
  5. Yorkshire Terrier.
  6. Shar Pei.
  7. German Shepherd.
  8. Samoyed husky.

Usually occurs in renal failure destruction renal tissues, and the increased load of the general excretory function falls on the remaining cells. Kidney tissues and cells are not restored. It is because of this that loss of organ function is possible.

When regularly taking urine and blood tests, it is necessary to pay attention to Special attention to the upper values ​​of the indicators - they are the ones who show whether there is a predisposition to pathology or not. It is very important to take tests regularly due to the fact that the pathology manifests itself externally when about 70% of the kidneys are already affected. Cure in this condition impossible. All that can be done is regular maintenance therapy.

This pathology has two forms:

  1. Chronic.
  2. Spicy.

Causes of pathology

Accompanying illnesses:

  1. Underdevelopment of the kidneys.
  2. Interstitial nephritis.
  3. Urolithiasis disease.
  1. Leptospirosis.
  2. Hemobartenellosis.
  3. Piroplasmosis.
  4. Viral diseases.

Genetic diseases:

  1. Polycystic disease (formation of cavities with fluid in the kidney tissue).
  2. Amyloidosis (deposition of protein in tissues and disruption of protein metabolism).

Functional (purulent and deep tissue damage):

  1. Toxic damage.
  2. Glomerulonephritis.
  3. Pyelonephritis.

Symptoms and signs of kidney failure in dogs

Kidney failure is an insidious pathology that manifests itself by external signs when it is no longer possible to restore the functioning of organs. It can begin to appear when one kidney fails completely, and the second - by a third. You need to be aware of your pet's condition attentive. Symptoms can appear one at a time or simultaneously in a complex.

The first symptoms of the disease are:

  1. Decreased animal activity.
  2. Depressed and tired look.
  3. The dog lies down more.
  4. The amount of urine that is released increases sharply. This is due to the fact that the ability to absorb and retain liquid is lost.
  5. The urge to go to the toilet increases up to 8 times.

All of these symptoms lead to constant thirst and dehydration of the body. The amount of urine then decreases and then disappears completely.

The dog loses weight due to periodic diarrhea and vomiting, as well as lack of appetite. The pulse quickens, the mucous membranes turn pale, swelling appears (it starts from the bottom of the paws).

In the most difficult cases, inflammation in the mouth and muscle tremors can be observed. Ulcers may occur. The dog feels very bad when it starts complete apathy, vomiting of undigested food, extensive ulcerative stomatitis, regular convulsions. Because of comatose state The animal dies in the near future.

Acute form (API)

This form of the disease is distinguished by its particularly rapid rate of development and manifestation of clinical signs. The acute form of deficiency in a dog is a potentially treatable disease if diagnosed in a timely manner. Compensatory therapy can bring the kidney to a state of maximum performance. The situation is complicated by the fact that there is very rarely an acute primary course. As a rule, this is an exacerbation of the chronic type. It does main harm kidneys Secondary acute renal failure is considered incurable.

Pathology is divided into three main types depending on the main causes:

  1. Prerenal (prerenal). This type appears due to a sharp decrease in the kidneys blood pressure. Because of this, renal blood flow is impaired (heat stroke, dehydration, bleeding, etc.).
  2. Renal (renal). This condition develops due to direct damage to the cells and tissues of the organ due to blockage of the tubules with hemoglobin, accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, exposure to snake venom, medicinal poisonings, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis and other factors.
  3. Postrenal (postrenal). The main role in this type of pathology is played by the mechanical influence on urinary tract- complete blockage or narrowing of the lumen due to compression. It can be observed against the background of an enlarged prostate gland in male dogs, urolithiasis or tumor processes.

External signs

External obvious symptoms may appear one at a time or several at once:

  1. Sores appear in the mouth (often along the edge of the tongue).
  2. Body temperature may increase or decrease (depending on the causes of the disease).
  3. Swelling of the extremities, in advanced stages - edema chest and belly.
  4. The mucous membranes may turn pale (or become very red), and the pulse quickens.
  5. Lost appetite. The dog does not even react to his favorite food.
  6. Muscle weakness is observed. The dog gets up with great difficulty, and its paws noticeably tremble when moving.
  7. Urination becomes more frequent, and the amount of urine increases (as the disease progresses, it decreases).
  8. The suppression of the dog occurs very sharply. In the morning she can frolic, and by the evening she can lie flat.
  9. Symptoms can develop very quickly, leading the animal to a coma.

What do tests show?

Having your pet tested, you will see:

  1. High levels of sugar and protein in the urine, decreasing its specific gravity. Renal epithelial cells, leukocytes and erythrocytes are noted.
  2. The levels of urea, creatinine, phosphorus and sugar in the blood will increase.

If these abnormalities are detected, the dog should be immediately taken to a specialist. Otherwise she may die.

Chronic form (CRF)

This form is more common in dogs over 6 years of age. The causes of development in young individuals are:

  1. Chronic primary kidney disease.
  2. Genetic predisposition to kidney diseases.
  3. Previously formed surge arrester.

External symptoms appear late in the development of the disease. They are:

  1. Swelling may occur.
  2. Gagging, vomiting of undigested food.
  3. The number of heart contractions decreases, body temperature decreases.
  4. A sharp ammonia smell is heard from the mouth.
  5. Signs of dehydration appear - viscous saliva, dry mucous membranes, dull fur.
  6. Intense thirst.
  7. Very little urine is produced, sometimes only the urge remains.
  8. The dog becomes lethargic and weak.

Analyzes show the following:

  1. There is a lot of sugar and protein in the urine, and the specific gravity drops. No sediment is observed.
  2. There are signs of anemia in the blood, increased levels of urea and creatinine.

Food for dogs with kidney failure

When treating a disease, it is necessary to follow a certain diet. Can feed the pet a personally developed diet or industrial ready-made food intended for animals with renal failure. When feeding yourself, you must follow the following rules:

  1. Fat content in food should be high or moderate amount. They can easily restore the energy that the dog lacks. It is not difficult for a weakened body to digest them. Contained saturated fats in full-fat yoghurts, egg whites, fatty meat and butter. But vegetable oils are not recommended.
  2. Protein foods are acceptable, but with high quality protein and in limited quantities. Experts do not recommend completely eliminating protein from your diet.
  3. Carbohydrates in small quantities. They provide nutrients and calories without increasing the amount of phosphorus. To achieve this, steamed vegetables are used in the diet. semolina and round rice.
  4. It is necessary to reduce the amount of salt.
  5. Your pet should be given only filtered water. clean water in sufficient quantities.
  6. Dogs often lose or decrease their appetite. It is necessary to find a product whose smell will provoke your pet to consume food.
  7. You can add the following supplements to your food: vitamins C, E, B, coenzyme Q-10, salmon oil.
  8. It is necessary to completely remove multivitamin complexes, which include phosphorus and vitamin D, from the diet.

Treatment methods

Treatment of acute and chronic form diseases are treated with approximately the same medications. The only difference is that in case of acute renal failure it is necessary first of all to eliminate the influence of the provoking factor, and in case of chronic renal failure it is necessary to maintain the vitality of the pet. Treatment should only be prescribed by a specialist. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

If the disease is diagnosed during, then treatment is possible. Chronic renal failure is considered incurable, in which healing procedures They help put the animal’s body into a state of compensation, prolonging the dog’s relatively normal life for a long time.

It is impossible to completely restore kidney function if the cause of the disease is a congenital underdevelopment or other genetic pathology.

In this case, symptomatic treatment is carried out.

  1. Intensive drip administration of medications is prescribed, aimed at restoring acid-base, electrolyte and water balance. Thanks to the droppers, the maximum amount of toxic elements that the kidneys cannot directly cope with is removed. Solutions must be administered warm so as not to worsen the condition of the pet, whose body temperature is already low.
  2. Medicines are prescribed that normalize blood counts, relieve vomiting and eliminate anemia (this is natural with chronic renal failure).
  3. For purulent lesions, antibiotic therapy may be necessary.
  4. Urination is normalized with the help of diuretic medications and mechanical diversion of urine in case of bladder overflow.
  5. During an exacerbation, urine and blood tests are regularly done. This is necessary to monitor the dynamics of the state. During this time, it is best to leave your pet in a hospital under the supervision of specialists.
  6. To suppress immune reactions in autoimmune glomerulonephritis and restore water balance, glucocorticoid systemic therapy is used.
  7. If necessary, medications are administered to lower blood pressure and normalize the passage of blood through the kidneys.
  8. There may be a need for drugs that reduce total acidity in the stomach and protect the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
  9. The level of phosphorus in the blood is strictly controlled.

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