Kidney Disease Symptoms in Dogs

By Zaneeta Thomas

Instructions

Types

Step 1:
There are two types of canine kidney disease, and they are differentiated by the time frame associated with the onset of the disease. Canine kidney failure occurs suddenly, while chronic kidney disease develops slowly over time, sometimes without showing any symptoms.

Cause

Step 1:
Sudden kidney failure is caused by extreme triggers, such as poisoning or heart failure. Chronic kidney disease can develop due to kidney stones, a kidney defect or cancer.

Symptoms

Step 1:
The most common symptoms of canine kidney disease are increased water consumption and urination, diarrhea and unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis

Step 1:
Your vet will perform blood and urine tests in order to confirm the presence of kidney disease. Ultrasounds or X-rays may also be conducted.

Treatments

Step 1:
The best way to treat kidney disease is to determine what the cause is and address that accordingly. Medications such as ACE inhibitors, antacids and antibiotics may be prescribed for relief and to treat infection, and a modification of your dog's diet and home life may be necessary to help encourage healing.

More Puppy Pages

Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs

As with human bodies, the kidneys remove toxins and waste products from your dog's blood and maintain the correct balance of chemicals in his body. But when kidney disease strikes, it prevents the kidneys from functioning properly, resulting in the...

Kidney and liver diseases are both serious conditions afflicting our canine companions. Understanding the signs of a potential problem with the kidneys or liver is important for any dog owner to recognize.

Canine kidney disease is a serious condition that can have fatal consequences if left untreated. It's estimated 75 percent of proper kidney function is already lost by the time a diagnosis is made, so it's imperative to take your dog to the vet at the...

It is common for your dog to vomit. If he eats too fast, exercises too hard or munches on some grass in the backyard, he often will end up getting sick. However, if your dog's vomiting is repeated or is accompanied by other symptoms of illness, you...

A small liver, microhepatica, in a dog usually indicates the pet is suffering from chronic active hepatitis. This is a progressive inflammation of the dog's liver and leads to all normal liver tissue eventually being replaced by scar tissue. The cause of...