pet kidney health 101: signs of kidney dysfunction

The kidneys are an essential part of your dog’s or cat’s body, and when they’re not working properly, it can cause short- or long-term health issues for your pet. The kidneys help filter toxins from their body; balance sodium, potassium, calcium, and pH; maintain red blood cells; regulate blood pressure; and help process medications. In other words, the kidneys are a pretty big deal.

In this blog, we’ll go over the common signs of kidney issues in pets and how to support your furry friend in their overall health.

Common signs of kidney dysfunction

The most common signs of a problem with your dog’s or cat’s kidneys are an increase in thirst and unexplained weight loss. Other signs include changes in their urination pattern such as frequency or amount, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or bad breath.

When it comes to chronic kidney disease, we sometimes see additional signs such as:

Muscle loss
Pale gums
Decreased appetite
Oral ulcerations
Constipation
Vision changes or blindness

If you notice your little furball displaying any of these signs, it’s important to discuss them further with your veterinarian. They can tell you steps on how to proceed (more on that below).

Causes of kidney dysfunction

In many cases, there’s not much a cat or dog owner can do to prevent kidney disease. Sometimes kidney issues come with age, or they can be related to an underlying illness.

Here are some of the common causes of kidney issues:

Hemorrhage
Congenital diseases
Feline leukemia
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Leptospirosis
Tick diseases
Ingested toxins
Immune-mediated disease
Inappropriate diets
Chronic disease
Congestive heart failure
Interstitial damage (from allergic reaction or infection)
Vascular damage

How to support your dog or cat

If you suspect your dog or cat has a kidney issue, it’s important you contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Kidney dysfunction could cause short- or long-term complications for your pet if left untreated.

To figure out if your pet is having a kidney issue, your veterinarian will perform an exam, run bloodwork, and order a urine test (urinalysis). They might also recommend a urine culture or imaging, depending on what they suspect the issue could be.

If your pet is diagnosed with kidney disease, your veterinary team will put together a treatment plan that may include fluid therapy, a therapeutic diet, medication, or monitoring. Remember: Early prevention is the best chance for your pet to feel better.