Kidney Failure in Dogs: From understanding the disease to managing its symptoms

Kidneys are very busy organs that have lots of responsibilities to keep your dog healthy, from removing toxins to maintaining their blood pressure and helping to create new red blood cells. With so many jobs to do, it can be a scary time if you think your dog’s kidneys are failing.

Although more common in older dogs, kidney disease can affect any breed at any stage in their life and sadly, there’s no way of predicting which will develop it and which won’t.

Early veterinary intervention is crucial for effective management of this disease, so let's delve into the common symptoms of a dog with kidney failure and explore treatment options for dogs with kidney problems in this comprehensive guide we've created to help you spot the early signs.
 

Stages of kidney disease in dogs

Once diagnosed, in order to give your dog the treatment they need your vet will need to find out what stage of kidney disease they have reached. They’ll do this by running several blood and urine tests, as well as performing a thorough physical examination. 

Here's a list of what happens at each stage of canine renal failure:

Stage 1 – The early stage of kidney disease in dogs:

• Minimal or no waste buildup in the blood
• May show subtle signs detectable through blood tests or physical examinations
• Most dogs show no outward signs

Stage 2:

• Waste starts accumulating in the blood
• Mild or absent symptoms
• Recommended screening for high blood pressure and protein in urine

Stage 3:

• Moderate waste buildup in blood
• Clinical signs present
• High blood pressure and protein in urine common
• Dog owners likely to notice symptoms (excessive drinking/urination, tiredness, weight loss, mouth ulcers, bad breath)

Stage 4 – The end stage of kidney of kidney failure in dogs:

• Severe kidney dysfunction
• High risk of severe clinical signs and acute deterioration
• Close collaboration with veterinarian needed to determine treatment options and quality of life
   

Types of Canine Kidney Failure

The type of kidney failure can influence the prognosis. Acute kidney failure can sometimes be reversed, especially if treated promptly, while chronic kidney disease is generally progressive and irreversible.

Acute kidney failure in dogs 

If your dog has acute kidney failure it means that their kidneys have suddenly stopped working properly. This can be caused by something such as an illness or infection, or because they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t, like antifreeze. Acute kidney failure in dogs may be able to be treated and reversed but could also be permanent, depending on what has caused it.

Chronic kidney failure in dogs

Chronic kidney failure is more gradual and can take months or even years to develop. It can be caused by a number of things including infections and tumours and unfortunately, by the time it’s diagnosed, it’s sometimes too late to reverse.

In the early stages of disease, the healthy areas of the kidney take on the extra work that the damaged areas can’t do, meaning that healthy parts work even harder than usual. As the disease progresses, and the unhealthy areas start to outnumber the healthy, the workload simply becomes too much and your dog will show signs of kidney failure.

Chronic kidney failure in dogs is a progressive illness that your vet will need to keep an eye on, but it can usually be managed with a combination of medical treatments and a special diet.

Causes of kidney failure

Your dog's kidneys can get into trouble for several reasons. Infections like Leptospirosis or Pyelonephritis can damage them, for example. If your pup  ingests antifreeze or certain medications, that can cause problems too. Even accidents or underlying health issues like heart or liver disease can take a toll on their kidneys.

Signs & symptoms of kidney failure in dogs

While every dog may experience symptoms differently, here are some common signs to watch for:

• Urinating more often – urine will usually be very diluted 
• Increased drinking to replace lost fluids 
• Nausea and vomiting due to build-up of toxins 
• Retching or going off their food 
• Tiredness and lethargy 
• Weight loss 
• Pale gums 
• Mouth ulcers 
• Fragile, weak bones 

Be careful about trying to diagnose kidney disease yourself, as the signs of kidney disease in dogs can also be a symptom of other illnesses. The sooner you see your vet for a proper diagnosis, the better.

Diagnosing kidney disease in dogs

When diagnosing kidney disease in dogs, your vet will start by asking you for a sample of pee to see if your dog’s urine is being concentrated, whether protein is being lost in their urine and if they have any other problems, like an underlying infection.

To collect the most accurate sample:

• Collect the urine first thing in the morning, as this provides the most concentrated sample.
• Collect the middle portion of the urine stream in a clean, sterile container provided by your vet or a clean jam jar (ensure it's free of residue).
• Bring the sample to your vet promptly for accurate testing.

If you struggle to get a urine sample from your dog, ask your vet for their advice.

By following these guidelines, you can help your vet effectively diagnose your dog's kidney health accurately. They might also take a blood test to check for specific kidney function, to get an idea of your dog’s overall health and to see if the build-up of toxins has affected any of their other organs. 

How long will a dog with kidney failure live? 

The lifespan of a dog with kidney failure will vary greatly depending on the severity of the disease and the efficacy of the treatment they’re receiving. When kidney failure is spotted early and managed properly with the correct treatment, dogs can live several years after being diagnosed.

Treatment for dogs with kidney problems

While you can't prevent kidney failure entirely, a healthy diet and constant access to fresh water can support your dog's kidneys and potentially slow the progression of the disease . However, depending on how severe the symptoms are, dog kidney failure treatment usually consists of a combination of medical and dietary interventions. Although there’s no cure for kidney disease, early treatment will help to relieve the discomfort caused by the symptoms and support your dog’s kidneys.  Let’s delve into the two main treatment options that might be recommended by your vet.

Medication and Supplements

As kidney failure in dogs can impact so many different bodily functions and cause them to develop conditions such as high blood pressure or anaemia, your vet might recommend specific medications to help treat each symptom. Supplements may also be suggested to replace lost vitamins and help to improve some secondary effects caused by the disease. It’s important to remember to only give supplements and medications at the recommendation of your vet.

Diets for dogs with kidney failure

This food has been formulated to meet your dog’s special needs and should always be your first choice if recommended. Don't give up if your dog initially shows disinterest (as they can taste a little different to regular food). With time and patience, they should adapt to their new diet. 

Top tips to help your dog get used to their new prescription diet:

1. Introduce their new diet slowly
   • Start by mixing a small amount of the prescription diet with your dog's regular food
   • Increase the proportion of the prescription diet while decreasing the regular food over time
2. Feed little and often
   • Offer smaller meals more often to accommodate your dog's new diet
   • Only feed treats recommended by your vet
3. Warm their food up
   • Warm food using a microwave (for wet food) to soften texture and enhance the smell. Stir before feeding and make sure it isn’t hot.
   • For dogs used to wet food, soak dry kibbles in warm water to improve taste and palatability

The changeover process can take anything from two to six weeks to complete, but it’s worth the extra time and effort to keep your dog as fit and healthy as possible. With a good quality diet and plenty of water, you and your dog should be able to carry on enjoying a healthy, happy life together.

That’s our guide to kidney failure in dogs and the current treatment options available. Want to find out more about common dog symptoms of illness? Read our guide on kennel cough in dogs, and how to treat it, next.