The daily temperatures are slowly starting to rise all across North America, bringing with them abundant sunshine, blooms in flower and heavenly cool breezes. Yes, ‘dog days of summer’ is surely here!
This is the time when you will most notice that your cat and dog will display a bout of energy that is quickly followed by a longer bout of sleeping in the shade or in a cool spot inside the house so that they can have a reprieve from the heat. However, should your pet display this behavior a bit more often than usual, then your cat or dog may have kidney disease.
But what is Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease most commonly consists of kidney failure and/or kidney stones. Of the two, kidney failure is the most fatal. This is not to say, of course, that kidney stones are not as important. In fact, kidney stones should be treated immediately as they can lead to further damage to your pet’s kidneys that can then create kidney failure.
Kidney stones are very tiny mineral deposits that build up on top of each other. When there is too many of them, they can act as a wall and will block and/or irritate your pet’s delicate urinary tract. This irritation can cause the urinary tract to become inflamed and infected. Thankfully, it is far easier to diagnose kidney stones than it is to diagnose kidney failure. Kidney failure can be extremely life threatening to your cat or dog and it usually gradually develops at a slow pace over a few months. Unfortunately, this usually means that by the time you’ve truly noticed any of the signs and symptoms of kidney failure that your pet is exhibiting, and taken your pet to the veterinarian for treatment, it may be harder for your pet to make a full recovery. The earlier that kidney failure is diagnosed, the better the prognosis will be.
Protecting your Pet’s Kidneys
Kidneys that are considerably unhealthy are often victims of kidney disease and it is no wonder that kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death among dogs and cats alike.
Your pet’s kidneys need to function at an optimal level so as to rid their body of any harsh toxins and chemicals. Whenever the kidneys stop performing properly, all of those toxins will start to pile up and it will be near impossible for them to be excreted out of your cat or dog’s body through their urine. This will then create kidney stones and can lead to death.
Some pet owners who usually provide their pets with a home cooked meal, dislike being in the kitchen during the summer heat and so will instead resort to giving their pets more dry kibble or poor quality canned food. But dry kibble is rather unappetizing and dogs and cats will also suffer under the summer heat. Their appetite and thirst will usually decrease. Consuming a mostly dry food diet, along with a decreased water intake, can quickly create kidney issues in dogs and cats. This occurs because your pet is essentially dehydrated, which results in less urination. The less opportunities that your pet’s body has of ridding itself of the harmful toxins, the more chances these toxins have of piling up.
Veterinarians treat more cases of bladder infections and urinary tract infections in dogs and cats during the summer months than during any other season. When not treated immediately, these infections can create detrimental damage.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Although it may seem a daunting task to attempt to discern between typical summertime behavior in your pets, and symptoms of kidney disease, there are a few signs and symptoms that are easily recognizable:
A decrease in appetite
A loss of weight
Either a decrease in, or an increase, in your pet’s urination
Blood that is evident in your pet’s urine
Apparent discomfort or pain whenever your pet attempts to urinate
Urinary tract infections that never seem to heal up properly
Treating Kidney Disease
If you recognize any of these signs and symptoms in your pet, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately so that they can offer an accurate diagnosis. The vet will run a few tests such as urine sample tests, ultrasounds and even x-rays.
Once a diagnosis has been made, the vet will typically prescribe a course of antibiotics for your pet to take on a daily basis for a certain period of time. If your cat or dog has a severe case of kidney stones, then usually the only way to treat them is to remove them via surgery. If your pet’s issues are far more serious, then your vet may suggest the use of intravenous fluids, dialysis, and in extreme cases, kidney transplants.
You can do your part to prevent kidney disease in your pets this summer by making sure that they have continual access to fresh, clean and cool water to help them stay hydrated all day long, and provide them with a nutrient-rich diet.
Homeopathic remedies can also be given to your dog or cat to help support their kidneys. Such herbal ingredients to look out for include:
Gravel Root - To act as a purifying and restorative agent that targets your pet’s genitourinary organs.
Marshmallow - An anti-inflammatory herb to ward off bacterial infections, as well as to help relax irritated tissues.
Wild Hydrangea – To reduce the development of urinary calculi. In addition, Wild Hydrangea also works like a urinary antiseptic and also soothes your pet’s irritated tissues.
Related Products:
Tripsy for Dog Kidney Disease and Cat Kidney Disease