Preventing Kidney Disease In Pets

As it goes with humans, pets also rely upon their kidneys to extract waste from their bodies. When these kidneys don’t work properly, they are said to malfunction and often turn to serious complications such as kidney failure. Kidney failure is defined as the kidney’s inability to effectively filter waste from your pet’s blood. This waste builds up results in excessive buildup of uremia and leads to kidney failure. Kidney failure can occur at any time and at any age as explained by an animal neurologist near me, so let’s be watchful of our pet’s lifestyle so that they don’t have to bear the major consequences. There are two types of kidney diseases:

1. Acute kidney disease: Acute kidney disease has a sudden onset i.e. it happens instantly and if it is diagnosed quickly with the help of vet MRI and is treated aggressively, then it is potentially treatable.
2. Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease is the decline in the ability of the kidneys which happens slowly and gradually and hinders the functioning of waste elimination in a pet’s body. The condition is somewhat incurable but it can be managed with the help of a canine neurologist. The thing to note down here is that it is more common than acute kidney disease.

Causes of Kidney Disease in Pets

1. Ethylene glycol: It is found in most antifreeze products and the prognosis of it is poor unless it is treated effectively after the ingestion in a pet’s body.
2. Ureteral obstruction:  It is most commonly caused by a urolith better known as a urinary stone and it leads to restriction of urine flow.
3. Lyme disease: This disease is found in insects such as ticks and can result in chronic kidney diseases for pets.
4. Heart condition: These conditions are found in pets especially dogs and can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, which eventually leads to kidney failure.
5. Hereditary and congenital conditions: Your veterinarian will warn you if a genetic condition has promoted the potential to cause kidney failure in your pet. You can then be aware of the symptoms and signs and they can be spotted early to treat them with effect.
6. Aging: Sometimes age also becomes a possible chronic kidney disease and it is a part of the natural aging process.

Symptoms of Kidney Diseases in Pets

1. Increased thirst: You will usually see your pet drinking more water or notice you are refilling their water bowl more frequently than ever, this can be taken as a triggered sign of kidney disease.
2. Increased urination: It might be worth keeping a note of how often you have to let your dog out to urinate, especially if you are the owner. If this seems more excessive than ever, it might be a serious concern.
3. Decreased urination: Yes, kidney problems also promote their way to less urination than usual. If you are noticing this symptom, then your pet likely needs to see a veterinarian as early as possible.
4. Lethargy: Lethargy is a cause of many serious diseases and itself is concerning and in this case can be seen as a possible symptom of kidney disease.
5. Bad breath:  Bad breath is common in pets and is a clear indicator of kidney issues.
6. Decreased appetite: When your pet’s kidneys fail, toxins such as ammonia and nitrogen heavily fill up the bodies of pets. This can cause nausea, vomiting, and/or a decreased appetite. This condition is treated as uremia, and it is directly related to kidney disease.

If you see any of the underlying symptoms in your pet, immediately contact a veterinarian who is nearby to avoid further complications.

How To Prevent Kidney Disease in Your pets?

• Make sure that your pet drinks plenty of water throughout the day especially if they are physically active and more playful.
• Restrictions should be put on their diet to avoid toxins intakes, such as cutting on sugar and other products that promote toxin build-ups can help.
• Just like humans, pets also need regular veterinary examination and lab work, especially in their older age and if they are vulnerable to high-risk factors promoting generic kidney problems.
• It is advisable to not breed your pets with those who had a previous medical history of kidney and stone problems.

Conclusion

If you feel like your pet is looking uneasy or showing any kind of above-mentioned symptom that can lead to kidney diseases, we advise you to book an appointment with an expert offering vet MRI Oceanside or wherever you reside. It is advised to take steps on time to help enable early diagnosis so that the treatment begins on time and the problem is well dealt with.