Kidney failure is a common condition in dogs, especially seniors. It is characterized by a progressive loss of kidney function, preventing the kidneys from properly filtering toxins from the blood. Without proper treatment, it can significantly impair a dog's quality of life.
In this article, we will see:
✅ Causes and symptoms of kidney failure in dogs
✅ Solutions for owners: daily treatments and care
✅ The importance of osteopathic monitoring to improve the dog's comfort
1. What is Kidney Failure in Dogs?
The kidneys play a fundamental role in the dog's body: they filter the blood, eliminate toxins through urine and maintain the body's water and mineral balance.
When they no longer function properly, toxins build up, leading to various symptoms that can progress slowly.
There are two forms of renal failure:
🔹 Acute kidney failure (AKI) : AKI is usually caused by a sudden attack on the kidneys, which leads to a rapid decline in their filtration capacity. With prompt treatment, it can be reversible.
📌 Most common causes:
- Intoxications and poisonings
- Ingestion of toxic substances : antifreeze (ethylene glycol), human medications (ibuprofen, paracetamol), grapes, lilies, household products
- Stings from certain venoms (snakes, toxic insects)
- Serious infections: Nephritis, Pyelonephritis
- Bacterial infections directly affecting the kidneys
- Leptospirosis : a bacterial disease transmitted by contaminated water (often rodent urine)
- Severe dehydration and circulatory shock
- Heat stroke
- Persistent diarrhea and vomiting
- Hemorrhagic shock (significant blood loss)
- Urinary obstruction (stones, tumor, enlarged prostate)
- An obstruction blocks the flow of urine, increasing pressure in the kidneys and quickly damaging them.
- Reaction to certain medications
- Incorrectly dosed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Certain antibiotics or nephrotoxic anesthetics
🔹 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) : Progressive deterioration of the kidneys, irreversible and requiring lifelong treatment.
2. How to Detect Kidney Failure in Dogs?
The first signs of kidney failure are often subtle, but certain symptoms should alert owners.
🧐 Symptoms of kidney failure:
✔ Excessive thirst and abundant urination
✔ Loss of appetite and weight loss
✔ Fatigue and loss of energy
✔ Bad breath and mouth ulcers
✔ Dull coat and difficult digestion
💡 A blood and urine test carried out by a veterinarian allows for an accurate diagnosis and assessment of the severity of the kidney damage.
3. Solutions for Owners: How to Help a Dog with Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure cannot be cured, but appropriate treatment can slow its progression and improve the dog's comfort.
✅ Veterinary treatments and care
🔹 Specialized diet : A diet low in phosphorus and protein helps reduce the burden on the kidneys.
🔹 Increased hydration : Encourage the dog to drink (fresh water, broth) and, if necessary, administer subcutaneous infusions.
🔹 Medications : To control hypertension, protect the kidneys and limit metabolic acidosis.
🌿 Complementary and natural care
🔹 Herbal Medicine : Certain plants such as orthosiphon or dandelion can support kidney function.
🔹 Veterinary Osteopathy : Regular osteopathic support helps improve renal blood circulation and the dog's general well-being.
4. Osteopathy: Excellent Daily Support for a Dog with Renal Failure
Osteopathy is a gentle and natural approach that perfectly complements veterinary care. It works on the entire body to improve the dog's comfort and optimize kidney function.
🐾 The benefits of osteopathy for a dog with renal failure:
✔ Improved blood circulation to the kidneys to slow down their degradation
✔ Relief from lower back tension often associated with kidney pain
✔ Stimulation of the digestive system to promote the assimilation of nutrients
✔ Reduction of stress and anxiety related to illness
📍 Recommended osteopathic protocol
🔹 Regular sessions adapted to the dog's condition
🔹 Work on the fascia and internal organs to optimize kidney function
🔹 Gentle techniques to release tension and improve body balance
5. Why Have a Dog with Renal Failure Followed by an Osteopath?
Osteopathy does not replace veterinary treatment, but it is an excellent complement to improve the dog's quality of life.
✅ It promotes better oxygenation of the kidneys
✅ It relieves pain associated with muscle and lower back tension
✅ It improves the dog's general comfort and vitality
💡 Osteopathic monitoring in addition to veterinary care allows the dog to live better with its kidney failure and to have a more pleasant and serene daily life. 🐶💙
To make an appointment with your osteopath in Portugal, click here!
6. All our advice to help your dog suffering from chronic renal failure:
First of all, we need to understand the physiological imbalances and see what solutions can be provided:
Kidney failure causes the kidneys to gradually lose function and become unable to properly filter waste from the blood. This leads to a buildup of toxins and an imbalance of electrolytes , impacting the dog's health.
In this context, phosphorus, creatinine and urea levels become essential markers for assessing the severity of renal failure and adapting treatment.
7. Understanding Physiological Imbalances
The kidneys have several roles:
🔹 Eliminate metabolic waste (urea, creatinine)
🔹 Regulate minerals and electrolytes (phosphorus, sodium, potassium)
🔹 Maintain water and acid-base balance
When affected, kidney function gradually deteriorates. The kidneys stop functioning, and several metabolic imbalances quickly appear: There is an accumulation of toxic waste in the blood, leading to:
📌 Increased phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia)
- The kidneys normally eliminate excess phosphorus from the diet.
- In case of kidney failure, they can no longer evacuate it effectively.
- This promotes bone demineralization , as the body compensates by drawing calcium from the bones.
🚨 Consequences:
⚠ Weakness and bone pain
⚠ Risk of heart failure (tissue calcifications)
📌 Increased creatinine
- Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles and eliminated by the kidneys.
- Its blood level is a good indicator of renal filtration capacity (GFR) .
- A high level means that the kidneys are no longer eliminating this waste properly.
🚨 Consequences:
⚠ Fatigue, weight loss
⚠ Digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting)
📌 Increased Urea (Urea)
- Urea is a waste product of protein metabolism, normally excreted by the kidneys.
- In case of kidney failure, it accumulates in the blood and becomes toxic to the body .
🚨 Consequences:
⚠ Bad breath (ammonia smell)
⚠ Mouth ulcers and digestive disorders
⚠ Lethargy and loss of appetite
8. How to Stabilize Kidney Failure and Regulate These Levels?
Although it is irreversible, kidney failure can be stabilized with appropriate treatment:
✅ Specific Food, nutrition adapted for your dog:
✔ Phosphorus reduction : A diet low in phosphorus limits calcium deposits in tissues and protects bones.
✔ Less protein, but high quality : Decreases urea production without weakening muscles.
✔ Rich in omega-3 fatty acids : Protects the kidneys from inflammation.
💡 Suitable foods:
- Veterinary kidney kibble and pâtés
- Lean meats and suitable vegetables (in controlled quantities)
- Consult a specialist canine nutritionist to help you with your choices (Barf, kibble, low-phosphorus diet, less protein but high-quality protein, essential nutrients for weight maintenance, easy-to-chew food, if your dog suffers from toothache or gum inflammation).
- Good hydration
✅ Mineral Control and Detoxification
✔ Phosphorus binders : Drugs that block the absorption of phosphorus in the intestine.
✔ Subcutaneous infusions : Hydration to dilute toxins and facilitate their elimination.
✔ Natural support : Herbal medicine (dandelion, nettle, orthosiphon) helps drain the kidneys.
9) Can Acute Kidney Failure Be Treated?
Yes, if treated promptly , AKI can be reversible. Treatment aims to stabilize the dog's condition and restart kidney function.
🔹 Intensive intravenous infusions to eliminate toxins and rehydrate the dog
🔹 Correction of electrolytes (potassium, phosphorus) with specific medications
🔹 Treatment of the underlying cause (antibiotics for infection, antidotes for poisoning)
🔹 Adapted diet low in phosphorus and protein.
Possible protocol:
- Complete check-up with your veterinarian (blood tests, kidney tests, dental tests, digestive system tests (check that there is no damage to the membranes and therefore gastric ulcers)...
- Venous rehydration
- Subcutaneous rehydration (regular)
- The goal is to lower the creatine level: change the diet (less protein and less phosphorus) and rebalance electrolytes.
For the latter, there are supplements to use such as:
- DIALIX LESPEDENZA 15 or (+) (vitamins and minerals, this supplement helps reduce phosphorus levels, glucosamine and omega-3 supplements)
- DIALIX Bladder Control Plus (Complementary food rich in isoflavones that work synergistically to support bladder function and the urinary system)
- ORALADE (Oralade is a solution to add to food for very good hydration. It is an isotonic rehydrating solution that is also very palatable for dogs and cats, even those who are nauseous)
Conclusion
Kidney failure leads to a buildup of phosphorus, creatinine, and urea , which seriously affects the dog's health. A proper diet, increased hydration, and specific care can slow the progression of the disease.
Acute renal failure, on the other hand, is a veterinary emergency that can occur suddenly following poisoning, infection, or severe shock . Rapid intervention is essential to limit irreversible damage to the kidneys.
💡 Osteopathy is an excellent complement to relieve bodily tension, improve blood circulation to the kidneys and provide a better quality of life for the dog. 🐶💙
To make an appointment with your osteopath in Portugal, click here!
