Showing posts with label Kidney Failure Dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidney Failure Dogs. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Kidney Disease Symptoms

Kidney Disease Symptoms
Some people may not think that they have kidney diseases until they have undergone medical checkups. They don't have the slightest reasons to think that they have it, as the relevant symptoms are not as severe to restrict their day-today activities. Within this backdrop, it is highly important to understand symptoms of the disease to get appropriate treatment before the disease converts to a life-threatening condition such as kidney failure.



The nephrons of the kidneys may get damaged due to various reasons and most of these reasons are still unknown. From the known causes, high blood pressure and diabetics are prominent. The persons who have these diseases should control their blood pressure and sugar level to avoid kidney diseases.



Neglect of symptoms may lead to kidney failure. It is spontaneous but gradual worsening of the situation may cause it. Gaining knowledge of kidney diseases alerts people to undergo medical checkups and it supports to overcome fatal consequences of kidney diseases.



Though some people with kidney diseases may not get symptoms, many may get various symptoms including blood in urine, frequent urination, difficulty in urinating, and urine foam. These changes of the urine are initial symptoms to the diagnosis of a probable kidney disease. The main function of the kidneys is to remove excess water from blood. When this is not happening, body tissues swell. Excess water in the blood causes swelling, which may occur in the arms, legs, face, hands and ankles. Sometimes other areas may also swell.



The kidneys produce the hormone erythorpoietin while filtering the blood. The erythorpoietin is the hormone that alerts the body to have enough red blood cells that transport oxygen. When kidney malfunction occurs, this hormone is not produced resulting in few red blood cells. Insufficient red blood cells, restricts oxygen circulation throughout the body and ailing patients are severely fatigued. This condition is known as anemia.



Kidney diseases also cause itchiness and skin rashes. This happens, as kidneys are unable to cleanse the body wastes. The accumulated waste in the blood causes the skin itchiness. When patients scratch regularly due to itchiness, rashes on the skin are imminent.



Malfunctions of kidneys result in accumulation of toxins in the blood. When excessive toxins are in the body, people feel a foul taste in their mouths. They lack appetite and some people become vegetarians, as they feel an aversion to meat. Lack of food eventually causes weight loss.



In addition, people with kidney disease may suffer nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, difficulty in concentration and leg pains as well. All these should be taken seriously and take the necessary medical checkups to avoid complications. Kidney diseases can develop to fatal conditions. When that happens, it is too late for any treatment.






Kidney Disease Dogs.

Kidney Disease Dogs.
Kidney disease, besides occurring in human beings as commonly known, has also been discovered to occur in dogs. It therefore is important to know about kidney disease in dogs, especially for those people who would like to rear dogs, or have one or several dogs already. As they grow older, kidney disease in dogs is a real threat, and may often lead to kidney failure, just as it is known to be in humans.



There are several causes of kidney disease in dogs. Old age of a dog renders it more vulnerable to kidney failure. A dog is also more prone to kidney failure if it is infected with cancer, as well as if it has been exposed to, and consumed poisoned substances. However, kidney problems can also be caused by other factors too, such as viruses, fungal infections and parasites. Some dogs may also develop kidney disease due to hereditary reasons, particularly if their parents had a predisposition towards the condition.



There are several symptoms that a dog may exhibit to indicate that it might have kidney disease. It is important to note on the onset that these symptoms may be indications of a totally different condition as well, and they are not exclusive to kidney disease in dogs. It would be necessary to watch the dog carefully and scrutinize its behavior patterns, to determine whether it has kidney disease or not, particularly when the dog gets older. Some of the common indicators of kidney disease in dogs include increased water intake while at the same time there is decreased urination, vomiting, poor bladder control and weight loss. In addition, if the dog seems to suddenly become lethargic, one should be on the alert. Generally, the safest bet would be to consult a vet once a dog owner suspects that his dog may be having kidney problems.



Among the common treatment of kidney disease in dogs is fluid therapy. This is where the dog is encouraged to get more water into its system. While at it, the dog should also be monitored, and put on high quality protein diet to help reduce stress on the kidneys. The other way is to ensure that the dog is fed a small number of small meals. This may include things like eggs, cheese and yoghurt. In case the dog has no appetite, it can be given appetite enhancing medication.