Menu

Kidney Failure in Dogs

Mini-Guide for Kidney Failure in Dogs


Kidney disease can often have the same symptoms as other diseases or there may not be any recognizable symptoms at all, which often makes it difficult to diagnose kidney disease or kidney failure in dogs. The better understanding you have of the potential signs and symptoms of dog kidney failure, the sooner you can take your dog to the emergency pet hospital in Knoxville, TN for treatment.

Kidney Failure in Dogs

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure means your dog’s kidneys aren’t doing their job, which is to remove harmful toxins from their body. Your dog has two kidneys, and they may experience disease or failure in one or both kidneys. Not only are the kidneys responsible for removing toxins, but they are also responsible for balancing water and electrolytes and maintaining their blood pressure. Unfortunately, oftentimes, when there are problems with the kidneys, other areas, such as metabolism and digestion, may also be affected.

Types of Kidney Disease

There are two types of kidney disease; acute and chronic. Acute kidney disease is generally sudden, but it progresses rapidly. Acute kidney failure can be the result of decreased blood flow, an injury, and poisons, such as antifreeze. It’s important to treat the underlying cause of the kidney disease as well as the disease itself. Chronic kidney disease takes much longer to manifest and it is often acquired as a part of aging.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

The symptoms of kidney failure may vary depending on the severity of the disease. However, common symptoms may include frequent urination, fatigue, extreme thirst, decrease in appetite and lethargy. As the disease progress, the symptoms generally worsen. If your dog has symptoms of dog kidney failure, it is critical that your pet gets veterinary help as soon as possible. In many situations, if kidney disease is caught early, it may be reversible; however, it does progress quickly, so timing is essential.

Treatment for dog kidney failure varies depending on a variety of factors. The focus of treatment for acute kidney disease often includes IV therapy to correct dehydration, nutritional monitoring, maintaining hydration and correcting electrolyte changes. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to help reduce pain or supplements to help regulate their potassium and phosphorus.

If you suspect your dog may have kidney disease, contact Bluegrass Animal Hospital to have your dog examined as soon as possible. You can call us at (865) 694-8387!

Office Hours

Monday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location