Kidney Failure in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Kidney failure in dogs is a progressive disease, marked by the deterioration of kidney function until they are no longer able to rid the body of toxins. Kidney failure is typically fairly undetectable until its later stages, and dogs who are in kidney failure have often been experiencing kidney deterioration for years. 

While kidney failure is a serious diagnosis without a cure, early detection and treatment can slow the progression of kidney failure and improve a dog’s quality of life.

Read on to learn about kidney failure, what to look out for, and how to treat its symptoms. 

• What is Kidney Failure?
• Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Failure
• What Causes Kidney Failure in Dogs?
• Kidney Failure Treatment & Prevention
• Treat Canine Kidney Problems With Dutch

What is Kidney Failure?

Dogs’ kidneys, just like in humans, are the filtration system of the body. Their primary function is to filter your dog’s blood, remove waste products, and produce urine to dispose of that waste. This process helps dogs with so many vital functions, including controlling: 

• PH levels 
• Blood pressure 
• Calcium and phosphorus levels 
• Water balance 
• Hormones for red cell production¹

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or kidney disease, means that a dog’s kidneys are failing to properly filter the waste from their body. It’s a common misconception that a dog with kidney failure is unable to urinate. On the contrary, a dog experiencing kidney failure will continue to produce—and often overproduce—urine. However, because their kidneys are unable to properly remove waste from their bloodstream, their urine contains little waste. Instead, toxins and waste build up in the body over time. 

Acute vs. Chronic Kidney Failure 

Kidney failure in dogs falls into two main categories: acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is the sudden failure of kidney function, typically over the course of a few days. This is typically a symptom of another illness and can sometimes be reversed. Chronic kidney failure is the slow, progressive deterioration of kidney function over time and has no cure, though it can sometimes be slowed with certain treatments. 

Stages of Kidney Failure

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) is an organization dedicated to helping veterinarians better diagnose, understand, and treat kidney disease in cats and dogs.² To do this, IRIS broke down the disease into 4 different stages, known as the stages of kidney disease, from early onset to chronic kidney failure.

To identify the progression of the disease, these 4 stages are characterized by the levels of compounds known as creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in the bloodstream. These are toxins that naturally occur in the body and, in a well-functioning dog, will be disposed of by the kidneys. Higher levels of these two substances coincide with increasingly severe kidney disease, IRIS uses these to identify the progression of the disease.

• Stage 1: This is early-stage kidney disease. Unlike other stages, stage 1 is typically not identified by abnormal creatinine or SDMA, but by symptoms like diluted urine, high levels of protein in the urine, or kidneys that look abnormal on x-ray or feel abnormal to the touch. Dogs rarely show any symptoms of illness in stage 1 kidney failure and as such are rarely diagnosed at this stage. 

• Stage 2: The second stage of kidney failure is identified by slightly elevated creatinine or SDMA. Again, dogs in this stage of kidney failure show very few symptoms but may have a decreased appetite, nausea, or weight loss. This stage can also be challenging to diagnose, as stage 2 kidney failure shares symptoms with so many other canine illnesses. 

• Stage 3: The third stage is a moderate level of kidney failure and may cause digestive issues like appetite loss, weight loss, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as lethargy. Dogs in stage 3 kidney failure may also experience severe dehydration and metabolic acidosis, a condition in which acid builds up in the blood. 

• Stage 4: Chronic or late-stage kidney failure is very serious. It can lead to total loss of appetite, inability to stay hydrated, and other significant symptoms. Dogs in this stage often need to be tube-fed to maintain nutrition and hydration. 

Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Failure

Perhaps one of the most challenging things about chronic kidney failure is that its early stages are so hard to detect. By the time a dog starts to show clear signs of kidney failure, the disease has significantly progressed. That said, there are a few early signs and symptoms of kidney failure in dogs to pay attention to. 

One of the earliest signs of kidney concerns is an increase in urination and a corresponding increase in thirst. The kidneys are working overtime to try and dispel the body of waste and generate excess urine, causing an increase in your dog’s thirst. If your dog shows sudden excessive thirst and urination, it may be time to talk to a vet about its causes. This is especially important because other conditions can also result in a sudden increase in thirst and urine production, including diabetes and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease).

As the disease progresses, your dog may start to experience symptoms like: 

• Bloody or painful urination 
• Incontinence 
• Loss of appetite and weight loss 
• Vomiting or diarrhea 
• Weakness and anemia

What Causes Kidney Failure in Dogs?

Depending on the type of kidney failure a dog is experiencing, veterinarians may point to different causes of kidney failure in dogs. 

Causes of Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure is often the symptom of another issue. A dog may experience acute kidney failure from: 

• Ingesting a toxin: Chemicals like antifreeze, toxic plants, or eating grapes or other toxic foods can lead to acute kidney failure. 
• A urinary obstruction: This can reduce the blood flow to your dog’s kidneys, deoxygenating the kidneys and increasing the risk of infection 
• Severe dehydration or heat stroke 
• Other diseases: Cancer, kidney infections, and bacterial infections can both lead to acute kidney failure. 

Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure

It can be much more challenging to identify the causes of chronic kidney disease in dogs because of the timeline of the disease. By the time a dog begins to show signs and symptoms of kidney failure, it may be years in the making, and it can be a challenge to identify its cause. 

Potential causes of chronic kidney failure in dogs include: 

• Old age: As dogs age, their kidneys can wear out over time, decreasing kidney function.³
• Birth defects
• Hypertension
• Chronic diseases: Ongoing illnesses like chronic bacterial infections and immune diseases can deteriorate kidney function.⁴

Kidney Failure Treatment & Prevention

Chronic kidney failure cannot be cured, but there are both ways to prevent it and treatments that can slow its progression and extend your dog’s life. Veterinarians prescribe different treatments for kidney failure in dogs according to the stage of the disease and symptoms.

Managing Diet

One of the most common treatments for any stage of kidney failure is specialty dog food that’s specifically formulated to treat kidney disease. These prescription dog foods are made with lower sodium and phosphorus to offset the kidneys’ weakened ability to filter these compounds. They may also contain appetite stimulants, vitamins, and more. 

Dogs with kidney failure should also be provided plenty of access to clean water to help offset dehydration from increased urination. 

If you’re concerned about your dog’s nutritional intake due to kidney failure, talk to a veterinarian for nutrition advice. 

Prescription Medication

There are several prescription medications on the market that are designed to treat the myriad symptoms associated with kidney failure. These may include medications to reduce vomiting, increase appetite, treat associated urinary tract infections, and more. 

A veterinarian may also recommend supplements like fish oil, vitamin D, and phosphorus binders. 

Kidney Flushing 

To help support kidney function, a vet may recommend diuresis or kidney flushing. This is a high dose of IV fluids that flushes toxins from your dog’s kidneys to help improve their functioning. This can also help with dehydration. 

Dialysis

Just like humans, dogs can undergo dialysis to help support the kidneys and potentially extend their life. During dialysis, a dog’s blood is run through a machine that purifies it in the way that properly functioning kidneys would. This process must be repeated multiple times each week. The pros and cons of dialysis should be carefully considered; it may cause its own complications and is not always an effective procedure. 

Kidney Failure Prevention

A healthy diet and good hydration are key to helping prevent kidney failure in dogs. Always keep your dog away from toxins that can cause acute kidney failure. In addition, you should take your dog to regular health checks to keep an eye on their wellness. The earlier that kidney deterioration is detected, the better your dog’s prognosis. 

Treat Canine Kidney Problems With Dutch

Kidney failure is a serious condition and should be treated with care. If your dog begins to show signs of kidney deterioration, like excessive thirst and urination, it may be a good idea to practice an abundance of caution and talk to your vet. They can assess your dog’s well-being and take action by prescribing medication, recommending supportive treatment, or referring them to an in-person clinic.

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