| Dog kidney disease is probably one of the leading | | | | These symptoms are signs for any dog owner to |
| causes of death in older dogs. There are two forms | | | | watch out for. |
| in which the disease can manifest itself, acute or | | | | Chronic kidney disease shows different symptoms. |
| chronic. The acute form can happen so quickly and | | | | They may well have a change of appetite with no |
| suddenly, while the chronic form begins slowly and | | | | desire to eat where normally they would gulp food. |
| progresses over time. Sadly for the owner, news of | | | | They may perhaps go off their food altogether. This |
| either form of disease is upsetting. | | | | will, over time, lead to weight loss. The first warning |
| Kidneys are an important organ for the body - | | | | signs which highlight the start of the disease are |
| human or canine. They are responsible for ridding the | | | | increased thirst and water consumption. These are |
| body of toxins by filtration. Kidney disease causes | | | | frequent exhibits of the condition. Sadly the dog may |
| the kidneys to function at only about thirty percent | | | | lose control of its bladder with frequent increased |
| of their capacity. If the kidneys stop working, the | | | | urination occurring. As time goes on urination will |
| toxins accumulate in the blood and get deposited in | | | | become painful, some cases impossible and blood |
| other organs. Subsequently, the dog dies. | | | | may appear in the urine. Canine kidney disease can |
| As the toxins start building up in various organs, they | | | | be deadly and serious, any signs of urine symptoms, |
| start to \'shut down\' that organ. The owner can | | | | vomiting, lethargic or depressed in your pet treat this |
| notice the apparent symptoms in such cases. The | | | | as a warning sign and alert your vet straight away. If |
| kidney disease hinders the body from functioning | | | | caught quickly it may be possible to gain control over |
| properly and the warning signals become more | | | | the disease. |
| obvious. The signs can vary between the two types | | | | If the veterinarian suspects kidney disease he will |
| of kidney disease. Sudden dehydration is a sign of | | | | usually follow four steps to decide if the dog has the |
| acute kidney disease. If you gently pull the skin of | | | | disease or not. A thorough physical examination is |
| the stomach on your pet and it doesn\'t spring back, | | | | what he will normally do first. The dogs relevant |
| then it could be that he or she is dehydrated. | | | | history will be gone over with the owner next, things |
| You may have noticed your dog not wanting to pass | | | | such as their home behavior and symptoms. A blood |
| urine or no urine production at all. This is also is a | | | | test and urinary test are the two steps he will take |
| warning sign that your pet may be a victim of acute | | | | after the first two steps are done. Both tests have |
| kidney disease. This disease can lead to your dog | | | | to be done to make sure of a correct diagnosis. |
| having extremely painful kidneys; or you may notice | | | | Whether or not your dog has acute or chronic kidney |
| the animal moving with stiff legs or an arched back. | | | | disease will be confirmed by both of these tests. |