Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats
Kidney, or renal, disease is not uncommon in dogs and cats. It may be chronic or acute and can result from a wide varieties of diseases or traumas. Because the kidneys are essential organs, responsible for filtering the blood and eliminating toxins from the body, any form of kidney disease is serious and may be life-threatening. While animals of any age may be afflicted with kidney disease, older pets are more likely to be troubled by the disorder.
Causes of Kidney Disease
There are so many possible causes of kidney disease that it may be difficult for the veterinarian to detect the reasons a particular animal is having trouble. The following are underlying conditions that may be causative of kidney malfunction:
- Infection by bacteria, fungus or virus
- Parasitic infestation
- Various types of malignancy
- Amyloidosis (deposits of protein in the kidney)
- Inflammation
- Autoimmune disorder
- Traumatic injury
- Toxic reaction to poison or medication
While most kidney problems arise later in life, some are the result of congenital malformations or inherited disorders and may appear in very young animals.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Symptoms of kidney disease can vary a great deal depending on the cause of the problem and the stage of the disease.
Urinary Tract Symptoms
Symptoms clearly related to the urinary tract include:
- Change is size of kidneys
- Change in frequency of urination
- Change in volume of urine produced
- Change of color of urine produced
Not only may the dog or cat pass darker or lighter urine than usual, there may be blood in the urine as well.
Generalized Symptoms
Dogs and cats suffering with kidney disease will appear generally unwell. In addition to symptoms associated with the urinary tract, some of their symptoms may include:
- Decreased appetite
- Poor coat quality
- Increased water consumption
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Halitosis
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Pale gums (due to anemia)
In addition, dogs or cats suffering with kidney disease may frequently appear swollen because they are not eliminating adequately. When fluid accumulates in the legs, it is called edema. When it occurs in the abdomen, it is known as ascites.
Diagnosis of Kidney Disease
Because kidney disease symptoms mimic those of many other disease conditions, the veterinarian, in addition to taking a full medical history and performing a thorough medical examination, will have to administer a number of diagnostic tests. These will probably include several of the following:
- Blood tests
- Tests of hormone and electrolyte levels
- Urinalysis
- Abdominal X-rays
- Ultrasound or CT scans
- Biopsy
Another test, known as an excretory urography may also be administered. During this test, the pet is X-rayed during urination to closely examine the kidneys and urinary tract. This test is usually performed as an intravenous pyelography (IVP) during which a contest dye is administered for better visualization.
Treatment of Kidney Disease
Depending on the diagnosis, kidney disease may be treated with:
- Antibiotics
- Fluid therapy (at times with electrolytes)
- Dietary changes
- Vitamins
- Medications
Kidney dialysis, a common treatment for humans with kidney disease, is only used in very rare cases on pets. Kidney transplants, at a premium for humans, are almost never available for dogs or cats. Although in some extreme cases, surgery to remove one of the kidneys may be performed on a dog or cat in an attempt to save its life, animals in severe renal failure are normally given palliative care or euthanized.