Canine Kidney Failure Symptoms

By Jennifer Gittins

Instructions

Causes of Kidney Failure

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Kidney failure occurs in dogs for several reasons. Dogs can suffer from kidney failure due to consuming products such as antifreeze or common pesticides or herbicides. In cases of severe dehydration, kidney failure can occur. It can also occur because of certain medications the dog may be on. In some cases it may occur because of tumors on the kidney or even due to heart disease. Parasites, viral infections and bacterial infections can also cause kidney failure.

Bowel Movements

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One of the most common signs of kidney failure is a change in the dog's bowel movements. For example, some dogs may experience increased urination accompanied by an increased thirst. However, some dogs may actually have a decrease in urination or water consumption. Both situations can also lead to dehydration.

Appetite

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In addition to a change in bowel movements, you may also notice that the dog in question has also changed her eating habits. For example, dogs who are suffering from renal failure frequently display a total lack of appetite. Dogs who lose interest in their food may also suffer from accompanying weight loss. Weight loss can be mild to severe, depending on the individual dog and the circumstances.

Additional Symptoms

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Other symptoms of kidney failure can vary. Some dogs will become depressed and they may show a lack of interest in activities they may have previously enjoyed. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common symptoms, especially in dogs. Many owners will dismiss vomiting or diarrhea, assuming that it will simply go away after a period of time. However, both vomiting and diarrhea are one of the most common symptoms of many diseases in canines. Therefore, it is important that all dogs are checked out as soon as possible to rule out any potentially life-threatening diseases.

Treatment

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Treatment varies based on the cause of kidney failure. For example, if a medication is the cause of kidney failure, then the pet will slowly be weaned off the offending medication. Unfortunately, many cases of kidney failure have a large amount of resulting damage to the kidney so treatment cannot always cure kidney failure. Some dogs will need to be put on dialysis or a prescribed diet. For most dogs, treatment will only temporary prolong the life of the dog.

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