What Food Causes Kidney Failure In Dogs

What Are Possible Diseases Or Conditions That Can Lead To Kidney Failure

There are often underlying conditions that lead to kidney failure in dogs. These conditions are usually long-term and progressive. Kidney failure is not the predominant condition but is often an after-effect of other conditions or diseases. Sometimes, if your vet treats the underlying cause, they can also reverse the kidney distress. What you need to remember is that all the organ systems in your dog are connected, and when one organ has problems it can often lead to issues with others. These conditions or diseases are:

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Hypertension

What Should I Expect From My Dog If He Has Kidney Disease

While you can ensure a long and comfortable life for your dog even with kidney disease, it can cause certain problems. In addition to changing your dogs diet, you must also consider your pets lifestyle and water consumption. Also, you can expect different behavior and mood from them. Kidney disease can lead to poor appetite, which causes lethargy and constant tiredness. Maintain your poochs muscle mass and keep up with weight maintenance by adding food toppers on his regular food such as fish oils, tuna juice, and chicken stock.

How Do Nutritional Requirements Differ For Dogs With Ckd

Water. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. This makes it critical for you to provide your dog with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Canned food can help increase your dog’s intake of moisture. To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day and clean your pets water bowl daily.

Protein. Decreased dietary protein appears to slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. Less protein also means less need for the excretion of protein itself through the filtration mechanism of the kidney, which helps preserve kidney function. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for dogs with CKD is less than or equal to 14-20%.

Phosphorus. Limiting dietary phosphorus in dogs with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD, although the precise mechanism is unknown. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for dogs with CKD is 0.2-0.5%. Since phosphorus content is related to protein content, it is impossible to achieve these lower levels of phosphorus without limiting protein content.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary So Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brewers Rice, 2. Corn, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Chicken By-Product Meal, 5. Brewers Rice Flour

Compromised kidney health often leads to urinary problems in dogs. And if thats what your dog is suffering, provide him a nutritionally supportive diet that helps with bladder and urinary tract health. The recipe is formulated with Relative Super Saturation to dilute excessive minerals that cause stones and crystals in the kidney by increasing the amount of urine your dog produces. Also, specialized nutrition has low levels of magnesium to maintain the urinary system health of your pooch.

The recipe has low levels of protein extracted from animal-base sources, which makes it a good solution for most dogs with kidney disease. Serve it on its own or mix it with a wet food combination or water to increase the moisture intake of your dog. This veterinary diet is rich in other essential nutrients as it includes important ingredients such as chicken fat, eggs, and fish oil. The minerals and vitamins included in this formula are great for maintaining the overall health of your precious pooch.

Supportive diet for bladder and urinary tract, limited animal-based protein, specialized veterinary diet

List Of Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In Dogs:

Now the symptoms of kidney disease in dogs can be quite easily identifiable. Some common clinical signs of kidney disease include:

• Polydypsia: Excessive thirst
• Blood tests can show anemia, abnormal calcium and phosphorus imbalances
• Consistent vomiting and nausea
• Oral ulcers may be the most common sign during the later stages of kidney failure, due to the inability of the kidney to filter out toxic substances from the blood.

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Possible Outcomes From The First Phase Of Kidney Failure Treatment

With this first phase of treatment, there are three possible outcomes:

There is no test that can reliably predict the outcome of the first phase of kidney failure treatment so each case should be treated aggressively and monitored very closely. Even in severe cases of kidney failure, if the treatment goes well there is always a possibility that the dog can return to a normal quality of life.

Next Steps if the First Phase of Kidney Failure Treatment is Successful

If fluid therapy is successful, the next phase is to help keep the kidneys functioning as usual and for as long as possible. Depending on the situation, this can be accomplished in a few ways:

How To Prevent Kidney Disease In Dogs

There are things you can do to help prevent kidney disease in your dog. For instance:

• Store medications safely Avoid leaving them on low nightstands, counters, or coffee tables where your dog could knock them over and ingest them.
• Choose a safer antifreeze Purchase propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is less toxic to dogs than ethylene glycol antifreeze. Also, be sure to clean up any spills thoroughly.
• Take precautions with pesticides and rodenticides If you use these products, follow the directions carefully. For example, you might need to keep your dog away from treated areas for a certain amount of time.
• Schedule your dogs annual exams Regular check-ups help your veterinarian detect ailments like kidney disease early and improve the prognosis of your pup.
• Maintain your dogs weight Obesity can affect the kidneys as well as your dogs heart, joints, and other organs.

If your dog suffers from kidney disease or failure, pet insurance can help you manage the costs of care. Find out if pet insurance is worth it for you and your dog.

The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.

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Can Dogs Survive Acute Kidney Failure

This condition is very serious and sadly the prognosis for dogs suffering from acute kidney failure is poor. It is estimated that more than half of pets suffering from acute kidney failure either die from the condition or are euthanized to prevent suffering.

That said, if caught early and treated aggressively some dogs are able to recover from acute kidney failure.

Your vet will be able to provide you with a realistic prognosis for your pet’s recovery following a complete examination and testing. Your veterinarian will provide you with an estimate of treatment costs and help to guide you through the most appropriate approach to treatment for your pup.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

How To Get A Dog With Kidney Failure To Eat

Make sure that you do not feed your dog too many large meals in a single day rather than giving him only a small amount. Fresh food should be available at all times during feeding. Make sure your dog is always getting fresh, clean water from you. Osteoarthritis sufferers sometimes forget how to eat without feeling guilty.

• is rice ok for dogs with kidney disease?

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Therapeutic Diet For Dogs With Chronic Kidney Disease

Therapeutic diets for dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease typically contain reduced amounts of protein, phosphorus and sodium combined with increased amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Reduced Protein

Although reducing the amount of protein in a dog’s diet remains controversial, there are two main goals behind this approach. Since the kidneys are responsible for filtering out the waste produced as the body metabolizes protein, the first goal of a reduced protein diet is to help lower the amount of waste produced, and the second goal is to minimize the amount of protein entering the filtration system of the kidneys.

What this means is that feeding your dog a diet with reduced levels of protein may help to reduce the workload placed on your dog’s kidneys, in turn helping to preserve kidney function.

Reduced Phosphorus

As your pup’s kidneys begin to fail, the concentration of phosphorus in their blood becomes elevated. Elevated concentrations of phosphorus have been linked to a number of negative side effects such as vitamin D deficiency, and reduced ability for your dog’s body to metabolize calcium. Normalizing blood phosphorus concentrations through diet may help to slow the progression of the disease in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

Reduced Sodium

Increased Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Preparing Meals For A Dog With Kidney Disease

Whatever you and your veterinarian decide to go with, whether canned or dry dog food, or fresh and cooked meats, the hardest thing about having a dog with kidney disease is often not what to fix but to make sure your dog is eating regularly, Dr. Bailey says.

“Dogs with kidney disease tend to have trouble keeping weight on,” Dr. Bailey says “They tend to not have a great appetite, so I would lean towards feeding your dog a few times a day.”

She adds that you’ll also want to make sure your dog has easy access to water. That’s vital for all dogs, of course, not to mention all living creatures, but especially so if your dog has kidney disease.

If your dog has not been diagnosed with it, it may be hard for you to know for sure whether your dog has kidney disease. But at least at feeding times and every time you fill the water bowl you can feel good knowing that you’re making a difference in your dogs quality of life and possibly extending his or her lifetime by years.

“As a general statement, a lot of what you do at home has a very good chance of extending your dog’s life,” Dr. Bailey says.

“We can only make the recommendations. What you do at home definitely matters in this case. It’s kind of like going to your cardiologist. They tell you to go on certain medications, and it’s your decision whether you do it or not,” she says. “Your pet’s health is to some extent in your hands, so you want to make sure you make good choices.”

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Understanding Lab Reports And Making Healthy Food Choices For Your Child With Ckd

Your childs health care team will order regular blood tests to track your childs health. You may need to make changes to what your child eats and drinks, based on the blood test results. You may find that keeping track of test results helps you see how well your child is doing. You can ask your childs health care professional for copies of the lab reports and to explain them to you, so you can note any results out of the normal range. Learning how to read your childs lab reports will help you see how the foods your child eats can affect health.

How Is Kidney Failure In Dogs Treated

Similar to many other conditions, how your dogs kidney failure is treated will be determined by the condition and underlying cause of her kidney issues. Acute kidney failure can make dogs very ill. They may require treatment in intensive care in a hospital.

Milder cases may be treatable with antibiotics, fluids and medications on an outpatient basis. Although costly, dialysis can also be effective.

Vets generally plan to tackle chronic kidney failure by focusing on slowing down the diseases progression and considering ways to improve the patients quality of life. Fluid imbalances, nausea, fluctuations in blood pressure and other symptoms will require treatment, typically with changes to diet and medication.

Its possible for pets to enjoy a good quality of life for years after being diagnosed with kidney failure. Your veterinarian may also recommend therapeutic diet, nutritional supplements or specific nutrients to manage the condition.

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What To Feed A Dog With Kidney Disease

Your veterinarian can give you advice on what to feed a dog with kidney disease. They may recommend a prescription dog food along with omega-3 fatty acid supplements to support kidney function.

Generally, dogs with kidney disease need to eat a low protein, low sodium diet. Eating less protein helps reduce the amount of waste in the bloodstream for the kidneys to filter. Too much sodium can raise your dogs blood pressure and further damage the kidneys.

Dogs with kidney disease should not eat treats high in protein, such as jerky, cheese, rawhide, and pig ears. They should also avoid goodies that have lots of salt, like deli meat, cheese, and some commercial dog treats.

Give your dog cut-up bits of safe fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, or green beans, as a healthy, homemade treat.

Causes Of Kidney Failure

Any disease that impacts the kidneys can cause kidney failure. These conditions include:

Geriatric Degeneration

disease in dogs.

Congenital Disease

From abnormal development and cysts to agenesis there are a number of inherited conditions that can lead to abnormal kidney function.

Bacterial Infections

These can be transmitted by swimming in or drinking contaminated water. This type of infection can cause the kidneys to become inflamed and renal cells to be destroyed.

Toxicosis

Also referred to as kidney poisoning, toxicosis can damage the kidneys cells and happens when your dog ingests poisons or drugs . These are just some of the many common household items that should be kept out of the reach of your dogs curious paws.

Any condition that causes the kidneys to stop functioning properly is referred to as kidney or renal disease in dogs, and may vary significantly in severity. While damage is in progress, there is still functional tissue left. Renal failure is far more serious, as the kidneys have stopped working altogether.

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What Causes Kidney Failure In Dogs

Kidney problems in dogs can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure happens quickly over several days, while chronic kidney failure happens slowly over time.

Causes of Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney problems are most frequently attributed to your dog ingesting a toxin. It may be a chemical like antifreeze, household cleaners, or bad food.

Problems also occur due to a urinary obstruction in your pets body. When blood flow decreases, it leaves your dogs kidneys less oxygenated and more prone to infection.

Kidney issues may also result from:

• Severe dehydration
• Leptospirosis

Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure

Chronic kidney disease is most common in older dogs, and the exact cause is often difficult to pinpoint because of its slow onset. Early symptoms of chronic kidney disease are easily overlooked or dismissed because they are mild in nature.

Dental disease is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure in older dogs. Bacteria build up on your dogs teeth and enter the digestive system when eating and drinking. While your dogs kidneys are designed to filter waste, bacteria can lessen kidney function over time.

Balanceit Premade Renal Disease Dog Food Recipes

BalanceIT was a formulation software and supplement created by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to allow to ease of access to homemade dog food recipes. Though the main formulation software allows anyone to create recipes for healthy dogs, they also have prescription recipes for different diseases and conditions. Including kidney disease!

To access these recipes head over to BalanceIT and under Homemade Food click on the EZ Recipe Generator for Vet Patients. From there you will be prompted to choose from many different diseases and conditions. You will want to select Kidney Disease and I would suggest clicking on both Lowest Phosphorus Recipes On Site For Kidney Disease Using Heatable Canine K Plus OR Early Kidney Lower Phosphorus Using Heatable Canine K Plus.

This will populate several recipe for you. I would suggest clicking on the green button that says see full list as this will allow you to see all the main ingredients in the recipes.

Then click on the recipe, and edit the recipe for your dogs ideal weight. Then click rerun. This will recalculate the recipe for your dogs weight. Finally when you click view you will be prompted to create an account and submit a prescription request for your vet.

Your vet will then receive a prescription request for approval.

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How Kidney Disease In Dogs Is Diagnosed

It is important to know that chronic kidney disease signs typically do not appear until the disease has progressed to a certain point. This is why it is so important to bring your dog to the vet for routine exams and follow your vet’s recommendations for routine lab work. Screening healthy dogs allow vets to detect small changes over the years. Kidney disease may be detected early through routine lab work and treatment can begin before your dog even gets sick.

If you notice signs of kidney disease or any other signs of illness, it is essential that you take your dog to the veterinarian right away. The vet will begin by talking to you about your dog and performing a physical examination. Next, your vet will likely recommend lab work. Commonly recommended laboratory tests include the following:

• Complete blood count : Evaluates red blood cell and white blood cells, looking for evidence of anemia, infection, and other abnormalities
• Blood chemistry panel: Measures components in the blood that indicate how well the organs are functioning blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are the kidney values
• Blood electrolytes: Measures the amounts of electrolytes in the blood to determine if they are balanced
• Urinalysis: Evaluates what is leaving the body through the urine tests urine concentration, measures protein, and looks for signs of infection or other problems)

âIllustration: The Spruce / Kaley McKean