Could Your Dog Or Cat Be At Risk For Kidney Disease?

Catching an Illness at an Early Stage Is Your Best Strategy

Just like people, animals are susceptible to illness and stress. And, just like people, there is a lot you can do to keep them healthy.

Julie noticed her dog, Zac, was drinking more water. Not just once, but several days in a row. She knew that excess thirst can be a sign of illness, so she took Zac to her veterinarian for tests. Blood and urine tests showed that Zac was in the early stages of acute kidney disease. But Zac was lucky. Because his problem was caught early, Julie's veterinarian was able to treat the disease successfully and Zac made a complete recovery.

What Is Kidney Disease?

Briefly, kidneys filter and remove waste material from the blood stream. They also regulate the volume and composition of your pet's body fluids.

There are two types of kidney disease:

Acute - a sudden loss of kidney functioning which is sometimes reversible, and

Chronic - a loss of kidney function that occurs gradually over time. Chronic kidney disease is often progressive, but, depending on the underlying cause and with careful management, animals often live comfortable lives for many years.

The causes of kidney disease can include inherited defects, infections, toxic substances and simply aging. Although the cause of kidney disease can be difficult to determine, with careful testing by your veterinarian, the disease can often be managed. Most treatments are aimed at decreasing the workload of the kidneys, reducing the severity of symptoms, and slowing the progression of the disease.

What Are Its Symptoms?

If kidney disease has undermined the kidney's ability to perform properly, waste materials accumulate in the blood. Signs that could indicate a potential kidney problem include:

• Loss of appetite

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination or increased volume

• Poor hair coat

• Depression and/or vomiting

What You Can Do To Prevent Kidney Disease?

While kidney disease is most often found in older dogs and cats, even young animals can be affected. And while the disease is not always preventable, there ARE things you can do to help minimize the chances of your dog or cat developing the disease, such as:

• Feeding the best quality dog or cat food you can

• Providing continual access to clean, fresh water

• Eliminating toxic materials from the home

• Maintaining a low stress lifestyle

• Regular veterinary care to detect potential problems as soon as possible

You are your animal's daily detective and advocate. You are your animal's best chance for receiving medical treatment when the problem is still at an early stage and treatment is most successful. It is always better to prevent a disease, or to treat it early, than to have to treat it after it has become advanced.

About The Author

Bev Allen is CEO and Founder of Lily & Me, Inc., which is devoted to the welfare of all animals. Her first product is ThePetCheckup(tm)-the at-home, early detection health screening kit for dog and cat health.

http://thepetcheckup.com/

Search This Site For Information You Want

More Articles

How Kidneys Are Damaged And Cause 'Hidden' Kidney Failure

... eradicated immediately with proper antibiotics,otherwise the kidneys will be damaged as a result of a long-standing/ recurrent infection, called chronic pyelonephritis. The situation becomes grim when an attack of acute pyelonephritis/cystitis subsides in about 1-2 weeks, even without treatment. This ... 

High Blood Pressure And Kidney Disease

... Affect My Kidneys? High blood pressure can damage your kidneys. It is the second leading cause of kidney failure. Your kidneys play a role in keeping your blood pressure at the right level. Because of this, some people who already have kidney disease can also get high blood pressure. High blood pressure ... 

What Is Kidney Cancer

... they are malignant tumors, that is, they are removed surgically or ablated (see below). There is no attempt to distinguish oncocytomas from malignant tumors when they are found in the kidney. Renal cell cancers are usually distinguished by their pathology, or the appearance of the kidney cancer cells ... 

Treatment Options For Kidney Stones Ureteroscopic Stone Removal

... shatter the stone using ultrasound, laser, or a technique called electrohydraulic lithotripsy. To relieve swelling and help with healing, the surgeon may then place a small tube (stent) in the ureter for two to three days. Mayo Clinic physicians were among the first in the world to perform ureteroscopic ... 

Treatment Options For Kidney Stones

... composition of the kidney stone will dictate appropriate treatment and future preventive measures. Stones that are too large to pass on their own or which may cause bleeding, kidney damage or ongoing urinary tract infection may need surgical treatment. Minimally Invasive Treatments Extracorporeal shock ... 

What Will Happen If My Kidneys Have Been Damaged?

... blood pressure * Get treatment for urinary tract infections * Correct any problems in your urinary system * Avoid any medicines that may damage the kidneys (especially over-the-counter pain medications) If no other problems are found, your doctor will try to keep your kidneys working as long as possible. ... 

Types Of Kidney Diseases ::

... different types of tumors involving the kidney and not all are cancerous. The most common kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Kidney Cysts: Many people have simple cysts that are often found when undergoing a radiology procedure for another reason. Occasionally, it is causes part of a serious genetic ... 

What Is The Difference Between Kidney Failure And Kidney Disease?

... their ability to carry out normal functions. This is dangerous because water, waste, and toxic substances build up that normally are removed from the body by the kidneys. It also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, and bone disease in the body by impairing hormone production by ... 

Management Of Renal Failure In Cats

... Treatment of hypertension Treatment of anaemia * Potassium supplementation * Control of increased blood phosphate levels (hyperphosphataemia) * Treatment of reduced blood calcium (hypocalcaemia) * Antibacterial therapy In cats that present with severe disease, prompt and aggressive treatment may be necessary ... 

Natural Health For Pets: Nutrition For Dogs, Cats And Birds

... pulp left over from juicing. I like my carrot, apple, beetroot and celery juice in the mornings, and there are plenty of nutrients left in the pulp to keep the dog and the birds healthy as well! If you don't drink juices (you should, they're great for you!), you'll need to use a food processor, as they ...