Chronic renal failure in dogs

Chronic renal failure in dogs is one of the common diseases in old dogs, which is a sign of the later stage of nephropathy. Most of the dogs die of uremic syndrome.

[etiology]

The main functions of the kidney are excretion (such as protein metabolic waste), regulation (such as acid-base balance) and biosynthesis (such as erythropoietin). The clinical symptoms are obviously exposed only after the kidney tissue has been widely destroyed. therefore, elderly dogs should pay attention to physical examination.

[symptoms]

It is divided into two stages: azotemia and uremia.

When azotemia occurs. There may be no obvious clinical symptoms and there are changes in the blood test. When uremia occurs, it is multisystem poisoning syndrome, with clinical symptoms associated with nitrogenemia: polyuria and thirst, anorexia and weight loss, narcolepsy, pallor and ulcers, and vomiting.

[diagnosis]

During azotemia, blood test: urea concentration increased, creatinine or other non-protein nitrogen compounds could be seen. Blood test during uremia: the contents of creatinine and urea nitrogen are higher, and dogs sometimes have convulsions.

[treatment]

The principle is special treatment + dietotherapy. The current treatment is impossible to cure renal failure, but appropriate drug treatment can improve the quality of life of sick dogs for months or even years; the purpose of dietotherapy can meet the nutritional and energy needs of dogs and improve the clinical symptoms of uremia. Reduce electrolyte, vitamin and mineral disorders, thereby slowing down the process of renal failure.

During vomiting, normal hydration was maintained without restriction of drinking water or rehydration, stress was avoided, metabolic acidosis was corrected by sodium bicarbonate, binder of assimilator and intestinal phosphorus, calcium and calcitriol were supplied, oral painkillers and H2 antagonists were given, erythropoietin and anticonvulsants were given, and antihypertensive treatment was established without drugs that had toxic effects on the kidney.

Adjust food composition, including phosphorus, protein, calcium, sodium, zinc, water-soluble vitamins, as well as energy and fat.

In the case of azotemic renal failure, free drinking water and normal intake of protein are recommended; phosphorus binders are limited, while hypertension is limited to sodium, potassium is supplied to prevent excessive loss of potassium, and alkalization is used to maintain plasma bicarbonate. Weihao veterinary food and Baoluo low-phosphorus medium protein diet are given.

When uremic renal failure occurs, it is recommended to drink freely, limit protein intake, limit phosphorus ±phosphorus binder, supply potassium, alkalinize to maintain plasma bicarbonate, consider erythropoietin and vitamin D2 when anaemic; according to the degree of uremia, give Xianhao veterinary food, Baoluo low-phosphorus low-protein diet, or Baoluo low-phosphorus medium protein diet.

Dietotherapy can prolong the life and improve the quality of life of dogs with chronic renal failure. Because the symptoms of chronic renal failure are dynamic, regular monitoring (blood and urine nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, potassium, specific volume, plasma albumin and total protein) and physical examination are important components of treatment.