Kidney Disease and Your Dog
Debbie Ray - PedigreedPups.com
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and removing toxins in an animals system. Kidney damage may result from several sources, but the aging process is probably the most common reason for this disease. No cure is available but many things can be done to help the pet live a more comfortable life.
The best way to express the reason for kidney failure/disease in an aging pet is that the kidney cells just begin to wear out. Cells are lost throughout the pets life on a gradual basis. As the pet ages and these cells are lost the neighboring cells must work twice as hard to compensate for the loss. As a result, kidney disease may be present long before any visible signs are shown.
Tests can be done to diagnose this problem through blood and urine samples long before symptoms of kidney failure are apparent. Some symptoms include increased water consumption, increased urination and lack of bladder control. Additionally, the dog may lose weight, go off its food, show weakness or vomit.
Once kidney damage has been diagnosed there are several things you can do to minimize the dogs discomfort such as diet management which is very important in dogs with kidney failure. Certain restrictions may include: restricting phosphorus which may help in hormonal and mineral imbalance; restricting proteins which also may help cut out overwork by the kidneys in trying to filter out the protein by-products; sodium restriction is highly recommended since dogs with kidney failure are at high risk for hypertension (high blood pressure); water soluble vitamins, especially B vitamins, can help replace those lost by the damaged kidneys; an increase in potassium is good since the damaged kidneys lose many important vitamins and minerals.
No cure is available but many things can be done to help the pet live a more comfortable life.
Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend" Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
About the author: http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a website offering the best purebred dog breed information, online resources and high-quality dog content for all dog owners, dog lovers and those considering dog ownership. Debbie is the owner of pedigreedpups.com, a dog lover, owner and dog breeder of many years.
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
Pastoralists in the Murchison are being forced to look for work at nearby mines as wild dogs destroy the last of the stock already diminished by eight years of drought. Long a problem in the Goldfi
News of the Weird: In September, Switzerland enacted a comprehensive list of ...
In September, Switzerland enacted a comprehensive list of animal rights, improving life for dogs, cats, goldfish, even rhinoceroses. (And pigs have the right to a shower once in a while.)
Gun fired at sheriff's vehicles, with dogs inside, at rodeo (The News-Press)
Two Lee County sheriff's vehicles with sheriff dogs inside and another automobile were hit by gunfire this evening at the Mexican Rodeo in North Fort...
Dogs Bark to Beat Breast Cancer (The Kentucky Post)
A group of breast cancer survivors whose dogs helped them through their fight put on "Barking for Breast Cancer" in Winton Woods Park Sunday.
Dogs Bark to Beat Breast Cancer (WCPO Cincinnati)
A group of breast cancer survivors whose dogs helped them through put on "Barking for Breast Cancer" in Winton Woods Park Sunday.
Police locate two dogs that killed smaller one (The Buffalo News)
PORT COLBORNE, Ont. -- Two dogs taken from a Port Colborne animal shelter last month were located at a Port Colborne residence Friday, Niagara Regional Police said.
Dogs and men 'play' the same game to woo their women! (New Kerala)
Washington, Oct 12 : Just like men, dogs too know how to win ladies' hearts - and that too from a young age. According to a new study, while playing, young dogs let the female pups win, even if the males have a physical advantage.
Dogs really are man's best pal (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)
The more I am around dogs, the more I am intrigued and impressed by these animals. I?ve always thought every person should experience having a dog ? no matter what age, even as old or older than me.
Mound ponders rules for dogs in city?s parks (The Laker)
The definition of ?frequent? may be the determining factor in whether dogs are allowed in Mound parks. The Mound city code currently states that ?the owner or custodian of any dog/cat shall prevent the dog/cat from committing in the city any act that constitutes a nuisance.
Missing dogs found in Port Colborne (Niagara Falls Review)
Two missing dogs were located by the authorities in Port Colborne Friday and turned over to the humane society, where they had disappeared from 10 [...]