As pets age, your veterinarian will recommend more frequent visits and routine testing to track your pet’s overall health. This is important because it can help your veterinarian see changes that may indicate a problem coming that, when treatment is started early, can slow the progression of the illness.
Kidney or renal disease is one good example. Kidney disease is one of the more common illnesses we see in aging cats, and is also common in dogs. Kidneys function mainly to remove waste from the body via urine. When kidney function decreases, the kidneys are no longer able to remove waste as effectively.
There are two types of kidney disease. One is Acute, which means sudden. This is usually due to a toxin or infection. The second is Chronic, which is a slower progression usually as the kidneys wear out with age. Most senior pets with kidney disease have chronic kidney disease.
Symptoms of kidney disease include increased water intake, urinating more (larger volume and/or more frequently), vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, weakness, depression, and bad breath (other than with dental disease). Some pets may show only a couple of these symptoms.
Kidney disease is best detected with regular exams and laboratory tests. Exams allow the veterinarian to talk to you about habits at home as well as check for signs of dehydration. Your pet may have its blood pressure checked. Increased blood pressure is common with kidney disease (and other illnesses). Bloodwork will be evaluated, as kidney disease is reflected in certain blood values and can cause anemia.
It’s also important to check your senior pet’s urine on a regular basis. Urine checks are not just for infections. A urinalysis can represent overall bladder and kidney health as well. We look at the body’s ability to concentrate the urine, plus look for protein and various cells in the urine that indicate the health of the kidneys. Kidney changes or problems are going to be reflected in the urine first, bloodwork second, and typically visible symptoms last. So by the time you’re noticing symptoms and bloodwork reflects a problem, the kidneys are already 2/3 damaged. This damage is irreversible.
Kidney disease, especially when caught early, can be managed. Depending on the patient’s overall health and management plan, a pet with kidney disease can live for another several years.
Treatment may include fluid therapy. Initially this may be intravenous to help rid the body of toxins, flush out the kidneys, and help with dehydration. Later on, your pet may need fluids under the skin periodically to help with dehydration. Kidney patients should have their blood pressure monitored, and receive medication as needed. There are also several different supportive medications to help with kidney disease.
Probably the best management for kidney disease is a diet change. Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D (kidney diet) was one of the first prescription diets made. K/D is formulated with lower protein, phosphorous and sodium levels when compared to a regular adult pet food. Studies have shown that kidney patients eating only Hill’s Prescription K/D live twice as long as kidney patients on a regular adult pet food. K/D is available for dogs and cats, both canned and dry. Canned food is made up primarily of water, therefore increasing water intake for pets eating the canned variety of K/D.
Kidney function is vital to the health of your pet. Declining kidney function cannot be reversed but can be managed when caught early with routine exams and laboratory testing. Suburban Animal Clinic recommends senior pets have exams every 6 months and laboratory tests at least annually. Celebrate your Senior Pet with routine senior veterinary care!