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Dog Kidney Disease Symptoms

Submitted by Nic on December 20, 2011

Kidney disease is very common among canines. In fact, it is considered to be one of the leading causes of death among older dogs. Just like in humans, canine kidney disorders manifest themselves as acute or chronic conditions.

The acute form of kidney disease occurs suddenly, while the chronic condition may take years to manifest. Dog kidney disease symptoms are usually seen when the dog loses about 75% of its kidney’s function.

Dog kidney disease symptoms usually start showing themselves very slowly.

Since the main function of kidneys is to cleanse the blood and remove toxins from it, impairment of the kidneys can prevent the blood from getting cleansed. This leads to a lot of different problems. When the toxic blood continues to reach different organs, the organs begin to shut down slowly. This ultimately leads to death.

Dog kidney disease symptoms may vary from one dog to another. There are, however, several warning signs that may indicate decreased kidney functioning. Acute and chronic diseases have different symptoms. When the dog kidney disease symptoms appear quickly, it is an indication of the acute kidney disorder. The most obvious symptom of this condition is dehydration. Your pet’s skin may become dry and loose due to dehydration. To check for this condition, simply pinch the dog’s skin between your fingers and pull it. If the skin does not go back to its normal position, it is an indication of kidney disease.

Some of the other dog kidney disease symptoms include reduced urination, pain in the abdominal region, changed gait, stiffness in the legs, and abnormal arching of the back. One of the common symptoms of dog kidney disease is a sudden change in the dog’s appetite. A lot of dogs will stop eating food and go off their diets completely, becoming weak and sicklier.

Dog Kidney Infection and Cancer Symptoms

Dog kidney infection symptoms also include increased thirst, incontinence, and the appearance of blood in the urine. A lot of dogs suffering from this condition may begin to vomit and may lose interest in all their regular activities. They may become depressed as well. These are often also dog kidney cancer symptoms, so if you observe any of them, take your dog to the vet immediately so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease can help slow down the deterioration of the organ and improve the dog’s quality of life.

Dog Health