Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Kidney Disease in Elderly Dogs

The risks of kidney disease (renal failure) increase as a dog grows older. The condition can either be acute(occurs suddenly,signs can be severe) or chronic (slow onset with generalized signs)
Renal disease can be due to changes in the kidney, or it can result from the dysfunction of other organs. For example if the heart is impaired, decreased blood flow to the kidney impairs their ability to function properly. Kidney health is measured through blood tests,urinalysis,and,in some cases,imaging techniques.These test can can identify the problem before physical signs of kidney disease are evident. One of the most frequent signs and early signs is an increase in water consumption and urination,but this generally does not occur until about 70% of the kidney function is lost.
If there is a problem with kidney function,your vet may suggest changes in diet and lower dosages of certain medications to decrease the stress on the disease organ. With proper diagnosis and proper treatment,acute kidney disease may be reversible; chronic kidney disease can be managed to give dogs extra months or years,depending on response and over all health of your dog.

No comments:

Post a Comment