How To Treat Canine Kidney Disease Memphis TN

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The kidneys maintain the correct balance of water and electrolytes in the blood and serve as filters for the waste products leaving the body. When the kidneys don't function properly, toxins build up in the blood. Canine kidney disease is classified as being either acute or chronic. Acute kidney disease can affect dogs of all ages, has a sudden onset, and the damage to the kidneys may or may not be reversible. Chronic kidney disease affects mostly older dogs, develops slowly over time, and the damage is irreversible.

Acute Kidney Disease

1. Causes -
   • Trauma - Any type of trauma that causes the blood pressure to fall dramatically, such as shock and blood loss from being hit by a car
   • Disease - Leptospirosis (a type of bacteria), fungal infections, heart disease
   • Poison - Ingestion of antifreeze or rat poison
   • Medications - Certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs
2. Symptoms -
   
   
   • Dehydration
   • Pain around kidneys
   • Low or no urine output
3. Diagnosis -
   
   
   • Blood tests
   • Urinalysis
4. Treatments - Treatments for acute kidney disease focus primarily on treating the underlying cause first. Other therapies may include:
   
   
   • IV fluids - Helps to remove toxins from the body
   • Temporary dialysis - If treating the underlying cause and IV fluids aren't enough, temporary dialysis may be used to eliminate toxins from the body, giving the dog's kidneys a chance to heal. For peritoneal dialysis, fluid is injected into the belly and later drawn back out to help remove toxins. In hemodialysis, a machine is used to filter the toxins from the bloodstream. Hemodialysis is quite expensive and not all veterinary facilities are equipped to provide this treatment....

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Author: Sharon Dzilvelis

Getwell Animal Hospital

901-743-6515
1262 Getwell Rd
Memphis, TN