Chronic kidney failure in dogs: Common signs and treatment

Renal failure, also known as kidney failure, is common in dogs and can be caused by a variety of conditions. The kidneys are important for blood cell production, managing blood pressure and electrolytes, removing waste from the body, and creating urine. When the kidneys begin to fail, the effects can be severe. If you’re a dog owner, read on to learn:

• What is chronic kidney disease?
• How do I know if my dog is in renal failure?
• How is kidney failure diagnosed and treated in dogs?
• What can I do to help my dog with renal failure?

Chronic kidney failure is a progressive and eventually fatal condition that occurs when the kidneys gradually lose the ability to work properly over time. It often starts with signs like weight loss, intermittent vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Other terms for chronic kidney failure include end-stage renal disease, chronic kidney disease, and CKD.

Kidney failure can also come on suddenly, which is called acute kidney failure. Other terms for acute kidney failure include acute kidney injury and acute renal failure. Signs that your dog may have acute kidney failure include severe vomiting and weakness. These signs may show up alongside other symptoms that are the result of the underlying cause and not symptoms of the kidney failure itself. Dogs with acute kidney failure deteriorate rapidly.

It’s important for pet parents to recognize signs of illness in their dogs so treatment can begin as early as possible.

Kidney failure, or renal failure, occurs when there is a loss of kidney function so severe that symptoms result. Healthy kidneys help filter waste products from the blood, create urine, maintain blood pressure, assist in blood cell production, and help maintain normal hydration and electrolyte balance. The kidneys have limited ability to heal, so when they’re damaged, the health consequences can be severe. Kidney disease is a spectrum, and end-stage renal failure is at the extreme end where the kidneys are permanently damaged and can no longer function.

Potential triggers for kidney failure in dogs include:

• Normal wear and tear as a dog ages
• Infectious diseases
• Ingestion of toxins
• Tumors or cancer
• Side effect of medication

Renal failure can be acute or chronic.

Acute kidney failure occurs suddenly, usually due to ingesting a toxic substance, an infection, or a urinary tract obstruction. Acute kidney failure is an emergency, but it’s possible for a dog to recover depending on the underlying cause and how well the dog responds to treatment.

Chronic kidney failure develops gradually over a longer period of time due to old age or as a result of permanent damage from an acute infection or toxin exposure. Chronic kidney failure is a progressive condition that usually isn’t an emergency but is eventually fatal.

Symptoms of kidney failure, whether acute or chronic, vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Clinical signs of kidney disease in dogs include:

• Increased thirst
• Producing large amounts of urine
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Lethargy or weakness
• Blood in urine
• Bad breath
• Vomiting
• Pale gums

The first symptom of chronic kidney disease is often increased thirst and urination. As the condition progresses, affected dogs often vomit frequently and develop a finicky or poor appetite. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease get worse over time and significantly impact a dog’s quality of life, often making euthanasia the most humane option for end-stage renal failure.

Symptoms of acute kidney failure are usually severe and sudden. Dogs with acute kidney failure also usually show other, non-renal symptoms related to the underlying cause. For example, a dog in acute renal failure due to a urinary obstruction usually has a history of straining to urinate, while a dog with Lyme nephritis might begin showing signs of pain when they move and prefer to stay in bed.

Is kidney failure in dogs an emergency?

Chronic kidney disease is a gradual and progressive illness, so it’s usually not an emergency. Affected dogs may experience emergencies from time to time as their symptoms worsen with continued loss of kidney function. Acute kidney failure is an emergency and may present with symptoms such as:

• Seizures
• Collapse
• Severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Refusing to eat

It’s important to seek immediate veterinary care any time these symptoms occur. Common causes of acute kidney failure include leptospirosis, Lyme disease, urinary tract obstructions, and ingesting NSAIDs or antifreeze (ethylene glycol).

After a thorough physical examination and discussion of your dog’s history, a vet will likely recommend diagnostic testing such as:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Ultrasounds or X-rays
• CT scans
• Biopsies of kidney tissue

Routine blood work and urinalysis results may show findings indicating the kidneys are damaged and failing, but additional testing is needed to determine whether the failure is acute or chronic, as well as the underlying cause of the kidney failure.

The treatment plan for renal failure in dogs depends on the underlying cause of the kidney damage. In cases of acute kidney failure, treatments may include:

• Decontamination for toxins
• Antibiotics for bacterial infection
• Removal of a urinary obstruction

The treatment’s outcome mostly depends on the severity of the kidney damage. If your dog ingested a toxin, the outcome mainly depends on the amount of toxin your dog was exposed to. For infections and urinary obstructions, prognosis primarily depends on how early the problem was caught and how well your dog responds to treatment. Most cases of acute kidney failure require intensive care, and many dogs do not survive.

“In cases of chronic kidney failure, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms caused by inadequate kidney function,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Treatment of CKD does not cure the disease or repair the kidneys. It just helps the dog feel as good as possible for as long as possible.” Treatments help:

• Remove waste products that cause vomiting and appetite loss from the blood
• Prevent dehydration
• Stimulate production of red blood cells

Treatments for symptomatic relief can include:

• Fluid therapy
• Anti-nausea medications
• Appetite stimulants
• Medication to boost bone marrow production

A diet change may be recommended to ease the workload on failing kidneys. Other treatments used in human medicine, such as kidney dialysis and kidney transplants, are rarely used for canine patients.

What is the life expectancy for a dog in renal failure?

The overall prognosis and life expectancy for dogs with kidney failure depends on the stage of kidney disease. Low-grade chronic kidney disease and mild acute kidney injuries typically respond well to treatment. The life expectancy of dogs with chronic kidney failure depends on the underlying cause and how severe the disease is. Chronic kidney disease can progress at different rates in individual dogs, so your dog might live for years or the disease could be rapidly fatal.

If your dog has acute or chronic renal disease, you can work closely with a veterinarian and get checkups as recommended. Follow directions for therapeutic diets and medications, and ask a vet for guidance if you’re ever concerned. Keep a close eye on changes in symptoms and alert a veterinarian when they occur. If you need support in caring for your dog or are concerned about your dog’s symptoms, you can talk to a vet from home in a virtual vet appointment through Vetster.

How long does a dog live with kidney failure?

Chronic kidney failure is progressive and eventually fatal. The lifespan of a dog with renal failure varies depending on the severity of the disease and the underlying cause. Dogs with mild chronic kidney disease can have a life expectancy of multiple years, but as the symptoms worsen and significantly decrease the dog’s quality of life, euthanasia often becomes the most humane option. Dogs with acute kidney failure become severely ill very rapidly and often don’t survive the initial episode. Those that survive may completely recover or have permanent damage that leaves them with chronic renal disease.

What are the symptoms of kidney failure in dogs?

The most common early symptoms of kidney failure in dogs is increased thirst and excessive urination. As the disease progresses, other symptoms may appear, such as vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

How do dogs act when their kidneys are failing?

Dogs with chronic renal failure may be lethargic or weak and have a poor appetite. They often drink water excessively and need to urinate frequently. Symptoms and behavior changes can vary between individual dogs and depend on the stage of the disease.