Kristopher’s Pet Blog

The kidneys are responsible for removing waste products, maintaining water levels, and other significant functions. Kidney failure can occur in either acute or chronic form. Acute occurs when kidney function stops suddenly, while chronic occurs progressively over time. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about cat kidney failure.

Causes

Kidney failure is a condition that can occur for many different reasons. Physical damage or bacterial infection of the kidneys can cause the condition. The risk of kidney failure occuring is increased when cats consume poisons such as antifreeze. Cats suffering from other underlying diseases are also at an increased risk.

Signs

The kidneys have a large reserve capacity, so your feline won’t show symptoms until the condition has advanced. Kidney failure causes various signs such as weight loss, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Cats are also known to show other signs such as increased urination and thirst, lethargy, and pale mucuous membranes.

Diagnosis

Feline kidney failure can be diagnosed in a variety of ways. It’s common for the kidneys to become enlarged or shrunken. Palpating the abdomen will allow the vet to check for this change. Excessive levels of waste products in the bloodstream can also be conducted via tests.

Because the kidneys won’t be functioning as normal to get rid of wastes, urea levels will be elevated. Other tests to diagnose kidney failure include x-rays, ultrasounds, and urinalysis.

Treatment

If your cat is diagnosed with kidney failure, he will likely need fluid therapy to prevent dehydration. Fluid therapy will also help decrease the level of toxins in the bloodstream. These fluids are typically administered intravenously, so your cat will need to be hospitalized.

If your cat is experiencing vomiting and lack of appetite, he may be given medications to control it. Anemia can be combated through the use of other medications. You will also need to provide your cat with plenty of fresh water to drink at home. It’s also important that you limit the amount of stress he experiences.

It’s important that all owners know about various cat health problems. Learning this information will help you recognize signs of disease quickly. Make sure you stop by common-cat-diseases.com right now to learn about many of these conditions.

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Dog kidney failure is a very serious condition, as it can easily become life-threatening. Dogs can develop this condition for various reasons. Trauma, blockages, bacteria, and toxins are some of the most common. Keep reading to learn about these causes of kidney failure in dogs.

Medications

Unfortunately, there are certain medications that are harmful to your dog’s kidneys. Kidney damage is sometimes a side effect of this otherwise useful medications. Some of the most common medications include immunosupressive drugs, antibiotics, and antifungal drugs.

Obstructions

Urinary or bladder obstructions can also damage your dog’s kidneys. Dogs with kidney or bladder stones are susceptible to these obstructions. These stones are prone to contamination with bacteria which increases the risk of infection. Your dog could even die if urine can’t bypass the obstruction.

Trauma

Trauma to the kidneys can also cause failure. This can happen if your dog is kicked hard enough or hit by a car. Trauma to kidney tissues may also happen due to fungal infections that cause permanent damage. Some of the most common infections include blastomycosis and valley fever in dogs.

Toxins

Ingestions of toxins can also lead to kidney failure. Your dog will likely lick up antifreeze, a very toxic chemical to dogs, if its puddled in your driveway. Antifreeze quickly destroys the kidneys. Turpentine, heavy metals, and rat poison are other common toxins.

Bacteria

One of the final common causes of kidney failure is a bacterial infection. These infections are caused by bacteria that invade the urethra and travel up into the bladder. After infecting the bladder, the infection may go on to infect the kidneys. Any damage caused to the kidneys is irreversible and may cause loss of function.

All owners should know a little something about various diseases that can affect their dog. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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