Tips for Managing Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs

July 10, 3:26 PMBoston Animal Advocacy ExaminerMaureen Harmonay

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Lhasas Apsos, Shih Tzus, and Doberman Pinschers may be prone to a congenital form of renal dysplasia that can contribute to chronic kidney disease, according to Dr. Mary Labato, DVM, Clinical Associate Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Tufts' Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton.

Dr. Labato delivered a fact-filled 90-minute PowerPoint presentation, entitled "Tips for Managing Chronic Kidney Disease," on Wednesday evening, July 8th, as part of the Vet School's "Summer Sunset Lecture Series."

Other breeds of dogs who are known to have a congenital predisposition to kidney disease include English Cocker Spaniels.  And, male Samoyeds and Bull Terriers can have an X-chromosome-linked congenital abnormality that can cause kidney problems to develop at a very young age. 

Dr. Labato explained that congenital abnormalities are just one of several conditions that can predispose a dog to developing kidney disease.  Among the others are:  infections, exposure to or ingestion of toxins (including antifreeze and some over-the-counter drugs intended for human consumption), cardiovascular issues, hypertension, aging, and other illnesses.

Dr. Labato advised owners that they can help prevent kidney disease in their dogs by being vigilant about removing ticks, by recognizing infections and having them treated before they can damage the kidneys, by keeping human drugs, particularly NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil and Naproxen, safely secured and out of canine reach, and by vaccinating against leptospirosis.

Among the signs and symptoms that are often associated with kidney disease are:  an increase in water consumption ("polydipsia"), increased urination ("polyuria"), decreased appetite and activity level, vomiting, weight loss, and bad breath, particularly if the dog's breath has a "uremic" odor, or smells like ammonia or fish.

According to Dr. Labato, some of the abnormalities that can be suggestive of kidney disease include a decline in a dog's sociability, or other unexplained behavioral changes; recent travel to a region which is endemic for infectious disease; and sudden onset blindness caused by retinal detachment due to high blood pressure, though this latter condition is more commonly seen in cats than in dogs.

Once a dog is determined to be suffering from reduced kidney function, his human caretaker should be sure to have fresh water available at all times, and take extra care to avoid exposure to stress.  If the dog is receiving any potentially nephrotoxic drugs (such as Rimadyl or Metacam), these should be discontinued.  Dr. Labato emphasized the benefits of feeding a special renal (protein-restricted) diet, noting that these nutritional regimens have been shown to be effective in prolonging survival times in dogs who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Your dog's veterinarian will be able to monitor his status and design an appropriate treatment plan, which might also include supplementation with water-soluble vitamins, the administration of subcutaneous fluids, and in some cases, the prescription of phosphate binders and anti-hypertensive drugs.