Kidney Failure in Dogs
Kidney failure in dogs is more common than you may think and while it usually happens in older dogs, it can also happen is puppies and young dogs. Renal failure can be a huge problem and knowing the signs and causes may help keep your dog on a healthy path.
As dogs mature the kidneys are sometimes the first organ to wear out, and there are some things you can do to slow down or stop these processes which are easy and organic.
Three Things the Kidneys are Responsible For
- Processing wastes like excess protein and passing it through urine
- The kidneys should balance the water, salts, and acids in the canine’s body
- Help keep the red blood cells to stay normal
- Filter the dog’s blood
According to statistics, one in every ten dogs will develop some sort of kidney disorder, so it’s important to know the signs and watch for them on a regular basis. Kidney failure in dogs can come as a result of ingesting toxins or eating tainted foods and sometimes even medications.
Another way your dog can experience kidney problems is due to decreased blood flow or lack of oxygen that needs to be delivered to the kidneys. This can even cause infections and urinary obstructions.
Possible Causes of Kidney Failure in Dogs
- Glomerulonephritis (acute inflammation of the kidney)
- Kidney infections
- Kidney stones
- Ureteral obstructions
- Tubulointerstitial disease (decreased renal function)
- Leptospirosis (a bacterial disease)
- Cancer
- Protein problems (Amyloidosis)
- Hereditary nephropathies (an inflammatory kidney disease that’s genetic)
Signs of Kidney Failure in Dogs
One sign that your dog may be having renal trouble is frequently urinating and drinking lots of water. Take your pet to the vet as soon as you notice this behavior and start treatment right away. Your dog may experience dehydration, lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, bad breath, and a reduced appetite as well.
A simple urine test on your pet can let you know if there is a problem. If kidney problems are taken care of quickly, your pet can still live a very long time, but if left untreated the results may not have a good outcome.
Care and Help for Kidney Failure in Dogs
The diet and supplements of diet are key action points when caring for your pet. Don’t wait until you see any of the problems above to start thinking ahead and heading off some of these problems.
Your vet can advise you of the proper foods your dog needs to be healthy and adding in some organic supplements can make all the difference in the world.
Since the kidneys filter out toxic substances from your dog’s blood, you want to be sure their blood circulation is on track at all times. While too much protein can be a problem, it’s not necessary to restrict all protein from their diet.
Organic herbs can help with blood flow and help your dog maintain a healthy renal system. Herbs like Hawthorn, Gingko, Echinacea, Dandelion leaf, and Rosehips present in our Organic Kidney Health For Dogs tonic can help alleviate part of the workload of the kidneys.
Kidney failure in dogs doesn’t always get to the worst stage so keep your dog on a healthy diet and supplement regimen for the best results.