Kidney Disease and Hydration Tips
Kidney Disease- What is it?
Like our own, our pet’s kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from their blood, which are then excreted in their urine. When kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up causing other health problems.
Common signs associated with kidney disease:
- Drinking more (polydipsia)
- Urinating more (polyuria)
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Weakness
- Loss of muscling
- Dehydration (see tips below)
- Vomiting
- Night vocalising / dementia signs secondary to hypertension
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Urinary issues (blood in urine, straining)
- Mouth ulcers
I think my pet has kidney problems. How can I check this?
We can perform a simple fasted blood test and urine test to assess your pets kidney function. We also have the SDMA blood test. This detects problems even earlier than standard urea and creatinine kidney tests. It is also recommended to check your pets blood pressure as hypertension is a common component of kidney disease
Call us to find out more or book and appointment today
My healthy pet is not showing any signs, should I still do a test?
Every pet has a different “normal value”. It is recommended to run a blood test to determine your pets “normal” and to pick up any early abnormalities. Clinical signs often present only when moderate damage has occurred to the kidneys. This means that your “healthy pet” may have early stage kidney disease.
Top Tips from our Vet Karen on checking symptoms and keeping your pet hydrated:
Kidney Disease- What is it?
Like our own, our pet’s kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from their blood, which are then excreted in their urine. When kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up causing other health problems.
Common signs associated with kidney disease:
- Drinking more (polydipsia)
- Urinating more (polyuria)
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Weakness
- Loss of muscling
- Dehydration (see tips below)
- Vomiting
- Night vocalising / dementia signs secondary to hypertension
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Urinary issues (blood in urine, straining)
- Mouth ulcers
I think my pet has kidney problems. How can I check this?
We can perform a simple fasted blood test and urine test to assess your pets kidney function. We also have the SDMA blood test. This detects problems even earlier than standard urea and creatinine kidney tests. It is also recommended to check your pets blood pressure as hypertension is a common component of kidney disease
Call us to find out more or book and appointment today
My healthy pet is not showing any signs, should I still do a test?
Every pet has a different “normal value”. It is recommended to run a blood test to determine your pets “normal” and to pick up any early abnormalities. Clinical signs often present only when moderate damage has occurred to the kidneys. This means that your “healthy pet” may have early stage kidney disease.