Symptoms of Dog Kidney Disease: What to Watch Out For

Section 1: Important Considerations for Dogs with Kidney Disease

1. Enhanced Care is Essential: It's crucial to limit the dog's protein intake, reduce calorie and vitamin consumption, and strictly control their water intake. The reasons behind these measures include: Poor dietary habits, such as a longterm diet high in protein, phosphorus, and calcium, can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

2. Just like humans, dogs can fall ill, and kidney inflammation is a common and often severe condition. It is typically triggered by an allergic reaction following an infection, leading to bilateral pain and wandering glomerular damage. Most cases are caused by blood stimulation.

Section 2: Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs

1. Dogs with chronic nephritis may exhibit symptoms such as a lack of energy, elevated body temperature, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. The kidney area is particularly sensitive, and there may be significant pain upon palpation. Abdominal swelling may occur, and the dog may walk stiffly, arching its back while standing and keeping its hind legs close to its abdomen.

2. Polyuria may be present, with occasional dribbling or difficulty urinating. Some dogs may have hematuria or anuria. After urinary retention, the dog's abdomen may rapidly swell, and the dog may frequently assume a urination posture without any urine being released.

3. During diagnosis, there may be an increased heart sound and elevated arterial blood pressure. As the disease progresses, systemic circulation disorders and blood stasis can lead to edema in the eyelids, chest, and lower abdomen. In cases of uremia, symptoms may include difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle spasms, drowsiness, a drop in body temperature, and a urinelike odor in exhaled air.

When there is widespread kidney damage, kidney sclerosis can be detected in the gradually worsening fibrosis and atrophy of inflammatory conditions.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on canine kidney disease, click on "How to Treat Canine Nephritis" to learn more.