What are the various causes of kidney diseases in dogs?
Ten things you should know: Under Dog kidney failure; when to euthanize. Euthanize is commonly referred to as the abstinence of extreme medical practices to put an animal to death.
It could be the hardest decision for any pet owner. Seeing your beloved pet dying because of prolonged or incurable illness is heart-breaking.
It is essential to get all the ailments to be treated as soon as possible for your pet so that it will not turn into a chronic disease. At times, the symptoms of the disease go unnoticed and become severe.
Kidney failure is one such problem which is generally found on older dogs. The root cause of a chronic disease like kidney failure could be the ingestion of some toxin or poison. IF the initial symptoms go unnoticed, kidney failure progresses gradually.
What are the various causes of kidney diseases in dogs?
Several risk factors lead to dogs susceptible to kidney disease. Some of such elements are as follows:
- Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
- Leptospirosis
- Glomerulonephritis
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- Amyloidosis (protein problem)
- Tubulointerstitial disease (involving the kidney tubules)
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Hereditary nephropathies (genetic problem)
- Amyloidosis (protein problem)
- Ureteral obstruction & hydronephrosis (stones causing a blockage)
- Cancer
What are the symptoms of end-stage kidney failure in dogs?
One of the early indicators of kidney disease is drinking more water and frequent urination. If you take away water from your dog, it may also lead to chronic kidney disease. Some of the indicators of chronic kidney diseases in dogs include:
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Urinary inconvenience
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Oral ulcers
- Weight loss
- Pale appearance
- Bad breath with a chemical odor
What are the various testing available to ascertain that the dog is suffering from chronic kidney disease?
Take your dog to the veterinarian, and he might suggest the following necessary tests:
Physical Examination
It is essential to take your dog for frequent physical examinations to protect it against chronic diseases. These exams help detect:
- Back of flank pain
- Enlarged, painful kidney
- Changes in urinary bladder or prostate
Each recent examination helps identify the bladder, urethral, or any prostate disease affecting the kidney. There are specific other indicators of kidney disease in a pet as follows:
- Excessive skin tenting
- Unkempt haircoat
- Low body temperature
- Dry gums (showing dehydration)
- Other prescribed tests for a dog to detect kidney diseases are:
- Urine culture with susceptibility
- Kidney Sampling
- Chemistry profile with electrolytes
- Urine protein to creatinine ratio
- Diagnostic imaging
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Urinalysis with sediment exam
What are the general precautions for the dog suffering from kidney disease?
The first sign of kidney problems involves dehydration in the pet. Intensive care at the hospital can be of great help for such pets. Here are some general precautions which are suggested for a pet suffering from kidney disease:
- Ensuring excellent hydration by keeping the excessive freshwater
- Providing adequate nutrition with a kidney-friendly diet
- Balance the acid-base level and salts with a veterinarian-recommended intake.
- Treat the issues like blood pressure or protein problems at priority to avoid the worsening of kidney disease.
When to consider the Euthanasia?
When all the treatments about kidney failure of dogs are tried and tested, Euthanasia is the last option to consider. And when the dog is no more responding to the treatment and suffering from chronic pain, it’s time to consider Euthanasia. Before making a decision, consult your vet to foresee any possibility of improvements in your pet in the future.
Is it painful for the dog to be euthanized?
The euthanasia medications used by vet renders the pet unconscious. This pentobarbital medication relieves the pain of pet.
Why are dogs euthanized?
It is estimated that 71% of cats and 56% of dogs entering the animal shelters are euthanized. The prime reason for this could be overcrowding, the aggressiveness of animals, or prolonged sickness.
How much does it cost to euthanize your dog?
The average cost of euthanizing a dog with its cremation range from $150 to $300. For euthanize alone, you may be charged anywhere $50 to $300 by a vet.
Is it the time to euthanize my dog, quiz?
This time could be as short as hours to as long as months. The vet does no euthanize if he finds that a good quality of life exists for your vet. Once this period is over, the vet recommends euthanizing to alleviate the sufferings of your pet.
How do you know what the right time to euthanize a pet is?
The decision regarding the right time to euthanize is crucial. If this decision is taken earlier, you may lose valuable time with your dog. On the other hand, if the decision is received later than required, it may add the pain and suffering to your pet. Hence, the following is the criteria to make the right decision:
- Do you know? Is your pet has more good days than bad ones?
- Is your pet having a good quality of life? Or is it able to urinate or defecate well? Is it eating well?
- Is your pet able to recover from the existing ailment? Are you capable of continuing the treatment of your pet financially and emotionally?
- Is your pet suffering from chronic pain which cannot be controlled even with medication?
- Is your pet losing interest in its favorite day-to-day activities?
Here are some factors which help in assessing the quality of life of your pet:
- Hygiene
- Hurt
- Happiness
- Hunger
- Hydration
- More good days than bad
- Mobility
To make an informed decision, you can rate these factors on a scale of 1 to 10. It helps in evaluating the quality of life for your pet.
Few pets live longer than the other in the instance of kidney failure. The response to the disease varies from animal to animal. It is essential to undertake a proper treatment for your pet before deciding to euthanize.