Download Renal Disease is a very complicated problem but in an attempt to

Renal Disease is a very complicated problem but in an attempt to simplify it, think of the
kidney as a big filter that filters poison out of the body and into the urine. The body can tolerate
some renal or kidney disease but once the kidneys lose more than 2/3 of their filters-the body
will decompensate and symptoms can begin.
The symptoms of kidney failure vary from patient to patient and depend on how quickly the
damage is done. Acute kidney disease is a rapid deterioration and the patient will show
symptoms very quickly but chronic renal failure can occur over months and the symptoms are
vague until the kidneys suffer sufficient damage to put the patient in an acute crisis. The
symptoms of chronic renal disease: weight loss, increase thirst and urination, anemia, poor hair
coat. The symptoms of acute renal failure: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weak. Just
because a patient is still urinating does not mean the kidneys are O.K. Some causes of renal
disease are: antifreeze poisoning, shock, heart disease, bacterial infections, urinary tract
blockage, pyelonephritis, diabetes, anesthesia, hemorrhage,age related degeneration, etc.
Once the patient has been examined, we may perform a CBC blood test to check for anemia
and a chemistry panel to check the kidney function. Three tests are very important in evaluation
of the kidneys: BUN-Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine: they measure poisons that the kidney
should remove and if it can’t; then the values of these two will be increased in the bloodstream.
We also check the phosphorus level which is increased in kidney disease. Radiographs and
ultrasound examination may be used to check the size and shape of the kidneys. A urine
sample checks for concentration ability of kidneys, infection and protein loss.
Treatment for renal failure and the success of therapy will depend on the blood results and
the patient’s symptoms. In chronic renal failure, the aim in therapy is to take the stress off the
kidneys by eating a diet formulated for kidney disease (Hill’s K/D); treating anemia with an
anabolic steroid and increasing water intake-can food or drinking more water to help keep the
portion of the kidney that is still working-flushed out. Some patients will need to take
phosphorus binders, anti-nausea medication, anti-ulcer medications or potassium
supplementation.
Acute renal failure is more serious and requires hospitalization and IV fluid therapy in order
to flush out the kidneys. The patient may be hospitalized for 3-4 days, depending on how well
the kidneys respond. Once the patient has recovered, it will be sent home on the same therapy
as the chronic renal patient.
Some chronic renal failure patients may need to receive fluid supplementation at home since
they can not drink enough water, naturally to keep the kidneys flushed out and functioning
normally. Owners can be taught how to give the fluids, at home.
The prognosis depends on how much of the kidney is still functioning and unfortunately,
there is no test to determine this figure. Response to medicine will determine the future outlook
for each patient.