Kidney disease (also called renal disease) is a serious condition in dogs, although it is less common than many other illnesses.
The outlook can vary widely as some dogs respond well to treatment and live comfortably for months or years, while others may deteriorate more quickly. Early diagnosis and ongoing care are key to maintaining quality of life.
Healthy kidneys play a vital role in keeping your dog well. They help to:
When the kidneys are damaged, these processes are affected and waste products can build up in the bloodstream.
Kidney disease refers to any condition where the kidneys are not working properly. The severity can range from mild damage to complete loss of kidney function.
Kidney disease is usually grouped into two types: acute and chronic.
Acute kidney disease develops suddenly and is often linked to another problem. It can be caused by toxins, such as antifreeze or rat poison or may occur due to infections, kidney stones or cancer.
Signs often appear rapidly and can be severe, however; some cases are reversible if treated quickly.
Please note – this type of kidney disease is an emergency.
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term, progressive condition. It develops slowly over months or years and is often seen in older dogs but can affect younger dogs too.
Signs may appear suddenly once significant damage has occurred. Unfortunately, it cannot be cured, but progression can often be slowed.
In some cases, an episode of acute kidney injury can lead to chronic disease.
There are many possible causes, such as:
Signs can appear suddenly or gradually, vary greatly depending on the severity and stage of disease and may include:
Many of these signs can be caused by other illnesses, but any ongoing or worsening symptoms should be checked by a vet as soon as possible.
Your vet will usually carry out several tests to assess kidney function.
Once diagnosed, kidney disease is often staged from early (mild changes) to advanced disease. This helps guide treatment and monitoring.
Treatment depends on whether the disease is acute or chronic and how advanced it is. The aim is to support kidney function, manage symptoms and slow progression.
Your vet may recommend a special kidney diet. These are usually lower in protein, phosphorus and salt, and often enriched with omega-3 fatty acids.
Diet changes should always be made with veterinary guidance as it’s essential to keep your dog eating and well hydrated.
Treatment plans depend on the dog and can include medications to control nausea, appetite or blood pressure, supplements to replace lost vitamins, and phosphate binders or vitamin D where needed.
Never give supplements without veterinary advice, as some can be harmful.
Not all cases can be prevented, but you can reduce the risks by:
The prognosis depends on several factors such as the underlying cause of the disease, the stage of the disease at diagnosis, how well your dog responds to treatment and the speed of the disease’s progression.
Some dogs live comfortably for years with careful management. Others may become unwell more quickly.
Monitoring quality of life is essential, and your vet can support you if difficult decisions need to be made.
