end stage renal failure

Final stage of renal failure in dogs






Chronic kidney disease affects up to 10 percent of older dogs. End-stage or stage IV renal failure is characterized by a specific set of criteria established by a group of veterinary nephrologists. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that culminates in end-stage renal failure.

Easily identifiable symptoms are often not evident in stages I and II of renal failure. However, many diseases are seen in end stage IV renal failure. Among the most commonly observed include anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of shelter, small kidney size, anemia and hyperkalemia.

It is advised to owners of dogs that have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease to put their dogs on a special renal diet. Basics of the diet include protein reduction, phosphorus restriction and the addition of omega-3 fatty acids. End-stage renal dogs benefit this diet to the fullest, as it directly improves their quality of life.

The clinical signs of kidney failure, commonly known as uremia, can be administered by a variety of medical treatments. Intravenous fluids are often administered to combat dehydration, feeding tubes are used for maintenance of caloric intake and metoclopramide is used to reduce vomiting.

Hemodialysis and kidney transplantation are less common alternatives, very expensive for dogs suffering from terminal renal failure. The success rate of kidney transplants in dogs is much lower than in humans.

The maintenance of quality of life is the key component of the treatment of canine terminal kidney failure. As the kidneys continue to deteriorate, they characterize the signs of the disease become more pronounced. Determining at what point the quality of life has deteriorated a lot becomes crucial in deciding whether to continue the administration of supportive medications and diet.