Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is a very serious illness which, when unnoticed, can be terminal for your pet. The kidneys are an important set of organs, helping filter out toxins from the bloodstream and passing these toxins out as urine. When the kidneys begin to fail, the toxin levels rise in the blood and suddenly your pet is in serious danger. As this kind of kidney failure is progressive, it can go on for some time before being noticed. Animal Friends is here to give you advice on how to spot kidney failure, and what to do.
How to spot it
Most animals do not start to show a sign of kidney failure until around 70-75% of kidney function has been lost. To diagnose kidney failure, a blood test and urinalysis are needed. Once this stage and severity of kidney failure has been reached, veterinary consultation must be attained immediately. Acute kidney failure happens very suddenly, the signs appearing soon after the illness sets in, and can be very deadly, whereas chronic kidney failure is a slower illness, usually confused as the pet simply being ‘under the weather’ as the signs are fairly nonspecific.
The signs can be an increased water consumption (polydipsia), an increased urination volume (polyuria), a decrease (oliguria) or lack (anuria) of urination, voiding urine during the night (nocturia), blood in urine (hematuria), a decreased appetite (anorexia), vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhoea, hunched over posture or reluctance to move and a poor or unkempt hair coat.
What can be done to help?
As kidney failure is often missed or misinterpreted, the illness can set in and be very difficult to counteract. Chronic kidney failure is characterised by irreversible legions forming within the kidney, meaning that any treatment is merely delaying the effects rather than reverting them. If the kidney failure is caused by obstructions, or by another disease that limits blood flow to the kidneys, then treatment can partially reverse the effects.
Treatments include fluid therapy and a specialised diet, amongst other things. Fluid therapy is required as more fluid is passed out of the body as urine, meaning that the pet may end up dehydrated. As the disease progress, subcutaneous fluid may be needed as additional fluid sustenance, and vets can show you how to administer these fluids correctly. A pet with CRF should have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
A diet change to a lower, but high quality protein diet may be recommended, as this will reduce the strain on the kidneys. Appetite may come and go due to the illness, so try feeding small amounts at various times during the day. Unfortunately, food-induced nausea can also occur at any time, so be aware of any accidents that may occur. The vet may also advise you check for anaemia and to check the pets weight regularly. Food must be encouraged to be eaten to maintain weight and nutrition otherwise your pet will simply become worse.
Kidney failure is a very serious disease that can be heart breaking, especially when your pet is slowly deteriorating before you. Consult your vet if you have any fears or concerns about the symptoms your pet is expressing, as their advice will enable you to ensure your pet will be comfortable, healthy and pain free for longer.
Kidney disease requires on-going treatment and check-ups which can end up costing you year after year– avoid high vet bills by covering yourself with pet insurance. Animal Friends Insurance offers a wide range of comprehensive cover, so to get a quote phone us on 0844 55 70 300 or emailinfo@animalfriends.co.uk and ask how we can help your animal friend today.
