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How to Treat Kidney Failure in Dogs

Healthy kidneys excrete waste products from the body in the form of urine. Kidney failure, often called renal failure, occurs when the kidneys stop functioning properly. There are two types of kidney failure: acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure happens suddenly and is typically the result of dehydration, poisoning, shock, heat stroke or infection. Chronic kidney failure progresses over many years, and dogs often don't exhibit symptoms until the kidney failure is well advanced. Chronic renal failure is usually caused by old age, a genetic kidney defect, cancer, an immune system disease or canine kidney stones. With proper treatment, dogs suffering from kidney failure can live happily for many years.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

* Special diet
* Veterinarian
* Fresh water
* Blood and urine tests
* Multivitamin
* Hypertension medicine

Feed your dog a special diet. Dogs suffering from kidney failure need to eat dog food that is low in protein, salt and phosphorous. Foods high in protein can lead to increased nausea and vomiting, while high levels of phosphorous can cause mineral deposits to form in the malfunctioning kidneys. Because a low-protein diet can lead to malnutrition, many vets suggest feeding your dog a canned dog food designed for senior dogs. Hill's Prescription Diet offers a dog food especially formulated for dogs with kidney problems. (See Resources section.) Have your vet monitor your dog's weight and routinely check her for anemia, which is decreased red blood cell production.

Step 2
Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times. Dogs suffering from renal failure urinate frequently, so they must drink a lot of water to keep from becoming dehydrated. Ask your vet about adding potassium to your dog's water to keep her electrolytes at the proper levels.

Step 3
Take your dog to the vet for periodic blood and urine tests. Urine and blood samples are used to test the various kidney functions and make sure your dog's condition hasn't worsened. Be sure to tell your vet about any changes in your dog's drinking, eating and elimination habits so he can make proper adjustments to your dog's diet, vitamins or medications.

Step 4
Give your dog a daily multivitamin supplement containing Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C. These supplements will help replenish the nutrients lost because of the inability of your dog's renal system to recycle and retain these vitamins in the body. Vitamin E taken along with Omega-3 supplements might slow the progression of kidney failure in your dog.

Step 5
Treat your dog's hypertension. Kidney failure can cause hypertension, or high blood pressure, in dogs. Treat this condition immediately since hypertension can increase the progression of kidney failure. Your veterinarian might choose to prescribe your dog an ACE inhibitor to keep the blood pressure levels in the normal range.

Step 6
Reduce your dog's stress levels. Because stress can cause increased blood pressure levels, it is important to keep your dog's life as stress free as possible. Keep your dog out of extreme heat and cold. Don't make any new changes to your dog's environment. Don't introduce any new pets to your household until your dog's health has improved.

Tips & Warnings

Consider asking your vet about holistic remedies that support canine kidneys. Some herbs, such as nettle, ginger root and golden seal, might help strengthen your dog's entire renal system. Regular acupuncture sessions might help slow the progression of kidney failure in dogs.

Kidney failure is a common cause of death in older dogs. Their kidneys just "wear out."

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Acute kidney failure is a sudden failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys are important to several body functions, one of which is to filter wastes from the body. This type of kidney function loss usually occurs with severe symptoms and may develop rapidly to a life threatening condition.Causes for acute kidney failure may include congestive heart failure, kidney stones, accidents involving trauma to the kidneys, and fluid or electrolyte imbalances. Learning how to identify symptoms and obtain treatment is vital in order to prevent complications that may include shock, seizures, coma and even death.

Step 1
Watch for signs of decreased urine output and increased thirst. If you have increased your fluid levels and still notice a drop in output, notify your doctor immediately.

Step 2
Note what types of medications you are taking. Some medications may affect kidney function. If you notice a drastic change in your ability to produce urine, let your physician know so that medication doses may be altered, decreased or eliminated.

Step 3
Be alert for inability to urinate despite efforts to increase fluid intake. Visit an emergency room immediately. Tests to determine blood and urine levels as well as those that measure kidney function will be offered. Treatments are generally directed at addressing the reason for the kidneys to function properly, so it is important to seek treatment at the first signs of trouble.

Step 4
Look at your legs, ankles and feet. Are you experiencing sudden and unaccustomed signs of swelling? This is caused by fluid retention, and is a sign that kidneys aren't flushing fluids from the body through urine as they should. Get your feet up to help reduce swelling and contact your physician.

Step 5
Take note! Early signs that your kidneys aren't functioning properly may not be noticed by yourself, but may be seen through blood tests that determine creatine, potassium and sodium levels in the blood.

Tips & Warnings

Always pay attention to your daily urine output levels. Average amounts of urine output for healthy individuals should be around 2 cups per day.

Left untreated, acute kidney failure may lead to shock, coma and death. Don't put off visiting your doctor or an emergency room if you suspect that something's wrong with your body!

How to Identify Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure, also known as renal failure, causes kidneys to stop functioning properly. Kidney function is essential to help rid the body of wastes as well as to produce various hormones that maintain balances and optimal function within the body. Kidney failure may occur as a result of a variety of causes, including but not limited to accidents, kidney stones, cancers, obstruction of blood vessels, and drug abuse. Renal or kidney failure may lead to uremia, chronic kidney failure, shock, coma or even death. Learning how to recognize and identify symptoms of acute kidney failure may avoid such complications and prompt control and recovery.


Step 1
Discovering a reduction in the amount of urine produced on a daily basis is one of the first indications that the kidneys aren't functioning properly. Certain medications or drugs may alter the ability of the kidneys to function properly, so paying attention to this symptom is important for prompt diagnosis.
2.
Step 2

Feelings of ongoing fatigue and restlessness are also early-stage warnings of acute kidney or renal failure. Changes in blood pressure, unexplained bruising or severe itching is also felt by many individuals.

Step 3
Vomiting, nausea and appetite loss are several symptoms that appear in later stages of acute kidney failure.

Step 4
Decreasing amounts of urine output, or a complete lack of urine may also trigger alarm in those suffering from this condition.

Step 5
Experiencing unexplained changes in mental or emotional behavior also accompany the symptoms listed above, as does an increasing sense of lethargy that may lead to stupor and coma.

Tips & Warnings

Medical tests can determine kidney function, fluid and electrolyte balances in the body. Pay attention to your body and note changes in normal functions.

Kidney failure may lead to system failure that results in coma and death. Never take a 'wait and see' attitude when it comes to your body. If you notice a drastic decrease in urine output or any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical help immediately.

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

How to Prevent Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is the final step of kidney disease. It occurs when the kidneys can no longer process fluid normally. When kidney failure occurs, the patient typically has to go on dialysis, which is when a machine performs the function of the kidneys for your body. However, there are steps that can prevent kidney failure or at least delay its occurrence from happening.

Learn How to Prevent Kidney Failure

Step 1
Control your blood pressure at all costs. Chronic high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of acute kidney failure in adult men and women.

Step 2
Ask your doctor about taking garlic supplements. These supplements can help reduce blood pressure quickly, but at the same time they will inhibit the blood's ability to form clots, so they should only be taken under medical supervision.

Step 3
Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke causes a variety of health problems that can increase your chance of kidney failure. If you stop smoking, it will also lower your blood pressure, which is important for preventing kidney failure.

Step 4
Talk to you doctor about your kidney disease before you have any kind of X-ray. You will need to take special medication before the X-ray in order to prevent it from damaging your kidneys.

Step 5
Stop drinking alcohol. You can reduce the strain on your kidneys by cutting all alcoholic drinks out of your lifestyle. These drinks require that your kidneys work very hard and not drinking them can help prevent kidney problems.

Step 6
Drink plenty of water. Even though your kidneys may be damaged, they should still be able to process water. Try to drink at least eight glasses each day.

Step 7
See your doctor and have regular blood and urine tests done. These tests will notice any developing issues before you start to notice symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

Always be sure that you are following your doctor's orders when taking medication. Improper use of medicine or stopping treatment can severely increase your risk of kidney failure.

Learn about your family health history. Kidney problems tend to be hereditary, so be extra careful to prevent kidney disease and failure if it runs in your family.

Be sure you stop taking any garlic supplements several weeks before any kind of surgery.

If you experience the symptoms of kidney failure, call your doctor and get to a hospital immediately. Kidney failure can be treated by dialysis, but treatment must begin as soon as possible to increase chances of success.

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/