Symptoms and Prevention and Treatment Methods of Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs
Chronic kidney failure in dogs is one of the common diseases of older dogs, is a marker of the late stage of some kidney diseases, and is a progressive process; most affected dogs die of uremic syndrome.
[Etiology]
The main functions of the kidney are excretion (such as metabolic waste from protein), regulation (such as acid-base balance) and biosynthesis (such as erythropoietin). But only after kidney tissue has been extensively destroyed do clinical symptoms clearly appear, so older dogs should pay attention to physical examinations.
[Symptoms]
Divided into two stages: azotemia and uremia.
When azotemia occurs, obvious clinical symptoms may not be seen, but blood tests show changes. When uremia occurs, it is a multi-system toxic syndrome, with clinical symptoms related to azotemia: polyuria and polydipsia, anorexia and weight loss, lethargy; pale and ulcerated mucous membranes, vomiting.
[Diagnosis]
In azotemia, blood tests: urea concentration rises, and creatinine or other non-protein nitrogen compounds may be seen. In uremia, blood tests: creatinine and urea nitrogen levels are higher, and dogs sometimes have convulsions.
[Treatment]
The principle is specific treatment + dietary therapy. Current treatment methods cannot cure kidney failure, but appropriate drug treatment improves the affected dog's quality of life for months or even years; the purpose of dietary therapy is to meet the affected dog's nutritional and energy needs, improve the clinical symptoms of uremia, and reduce electrolyte, vitamin and mineral disturbances, thereby slowing the process of kidney failure.
During vomiting, maintain normal hydration by not restricting drinking water or by fluid supplementation, avoid stress, administer sodium bicarbonate to correct metabolic acidosis, administer anabolic agents and intestinal phosphorus binders, supply calcium and calcitriol, give oral analgesics and H2 antagonists, administer erythropoietin, give anticonvulsants, do not use drugs that are toxic to the kidneys, and establish a method of antihypertensive treatment.
Adjust food composition, including phosphorus, protein, calcium, sodium, zinc, water-soluble vitamins, and energy and fat.
In azotemic kidney failure, free access to water and normal protein intake are recommended; restrict phosphorus +/- phosphorus binders, restrict sodium if there is hypertension, supply potassium to prevent excessive potassium loss, alkalinize to maintain plasma bicarbonate, and give Waltham veterinary food and Pedigree low-phosphorus moderate-protein diet.
When uremic kidney failure occurs, free access to water is recommended, restrict protein intake, restrict phosphorus +/- phosphorus binders, supply potassium, alkalinize to maintain plasma bicarbonate, consider erythropoietin if there is anemia, consider vitamin D2; according to the degree of uremia, give Waltham veterinary food and Pedigree low-phosphorus low-protein diet, or Pedigree low-phosphorus moderate-protein diet.
Dietary therapy can prolong the life of dogs with chronic kidney failure and improve quality of life. Because the symptoms of chronic kidney failure change dynamically, regular monitoring (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, potassium, packed cell volume, plasma albumin and total protein) and physical examinations are important components of treatment, and dietary therapy and medication should be determined according to the condition.