Kidney Disease
Kidney disease may have many different causes, including inherited defects, infections, toxic substance exposure and nutritional factors. Old age is also a common factor in kidney disease and is the primary cause of death in pets that live a long life.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
When the kidneys cease to function correctly waste material builds up the bloodstream.
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Loss of appetite
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Increased water drinking
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Increase frequency of urination (the kidneys cannot control the water retention)
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Poor hair coat
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Depression
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Vomiting
Often the exact cause of a pet's kidney problem cannot be determined, but with careful examination and testing, the severity of the disease can be evaluated and the best method of management prescribed. Some of these tests might include:
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Urine analysis
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Urine cultures - to identify the type of infection
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Blood tests
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X-rays of the abdomen - to measure the size of the kidneys
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Special x-ray dye injection - to evaluate the filtering ability of the kidneys
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Biopsy of the kidney itself - to enable microscopic determination of the tissue