Can a dog recover from stage 4 kidney failure? Simple and Effective Tips

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What is Kidney- Disease in Dogs?

Healthy kidney function is required for your dog to successfully remove toxins from the blood and excrete them from the body through the urine. The kidneys are also responsible for performing many other vital tasks:

  • Controlling blood pressure
  • Maintaining blood acidity levels
  • Preventing water loss
  • Keeping a healthy metabolic balance

    • If the kidneys stop functioning correctly, it is referred to as kidney disease. There are stages to the disease. Your Vet would need to investigate to make a correct diagnosis. There are two types of kidney disease which would be acute and chronic.

    An acute illness can generally be cleared or cured once there is treatment. When something is chronic, it cannot be cured, and it progresses until treatment will no longer be available to alleviate the symptoms.

    Symptoms of Renal Disease & Renal Failure in Dogs

    As noted above, chronic kidney disease is kidney disease that has been present for months or years. Signs of chronic disease in dogs can vary from subtle and slowly progressive to severe. They may sometimes appear suddenly and commonly include:

  • Drinking too much and producing large volumes of urine
  • General depression associated with elevation of waste products in blood
  • Overall weakness caused by low potassium in the blood
  • Increased volume of urine in the bladder

    • By the time a dog experiences renal failure, the disease has advanced and you may notice such signs as:

  • Blood in urine
  • Lethargy
  • Pale gums
  • Ulcers in the mouth
  • Intestinal seizures
  • Significant weight loss
  • Drunken behavior or uncoordinated movement such as stumbling
  • Significant decrease in appetite
  • Breath that smells like chemicals
  • Vomiting

    • By the time a dog experiences renal failure, the disease has advanced and you may notice Your vet can examine your dog to determine whether kidney issues or other problems such as diabetes mellitus are causing the symptoms. Factors to be considered may include the type of renal failure your dog may be experiencing, the extend of loss of function in the kidneys, progression of the condition and its underlying causes.

    What Is Chronic Renal Failure in Dogs?

    Chronic renal failure (CRF), renal insufficiency, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are all medical terms used to describe the same condition. It occurs when the kidneys are unable to perform their required tasks at the same level of efficiency as before.

    Dogs have two kidneys located on either side of their abdomen, that play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Additionally, the kidneys serve to regulate fluid, mineral, and electrolyte balance; conserve water and protein; and play an important role in maintaining blood pressure and red blood cell production by making a hormone called erythropoietin.

    Dogs cannot survive without their kidneys, and unfortunately, kidney transplants are yet to be a viable solution. Dialysis (a treatment for failing kidneys including the removal of waste) is often expensive and is extremely rare in dogs. However, early diagnosis and intervention is key to help maintain your dog’s quality of life.

    Once diagnosed, CRF is then classified into four different stages based on severity of clinical signs and laboratory values:

  • Stage I: Clinical signs usually not apparent
  • Stage II: Some clinical signs noted
  • Stage III: Many clinical signs noted, and pets often feel “sick”
  • Stage IV: Majority of clinical signs noted, pets often present as a crisis

    • My dog died from Kidney Failure