Nephrosis In Dogs

If you're concerned that your dog might be suffering from kidney woes, you'll need your veterinarian to tell you what's going on for sure. Nephrosis is a condition that's capable of bringing upon kidney troubles in canines -- more specifically, renal failure. A vet can determine if your pet has nephrosis by performing a kidney biopsy.

Degenerative shifts trigger nephrosis in dogs, according to the veterinarian authors of "The Dog Owner's Handbook." These shifts, which involve the deterioration of organ functioning, appear due to poisons and toxins that focus specifically on the kidneys. A condition known as ischemia can sometimes lead to these degenerative shifts in canines. Ischemia is characterized by insufficient amounts of blood traveling to the kidneys. Drugs that possess nephrotoxicity include butazolidin, ibuprofen and aspirin. Some antibiotics are nephrotoxic, as well.

Routine veterinary care is vital for all dogs, regardless of the possible presence of unusual symptoms. If a veterinarian discovers that your pet has nephrosis in a prompt manner, taking care of the triggering factor can often help resolve the issue. Triggering factors include the aforementioned toxins or ischemia. Veterinarians often manage toxic nephrosis, for example, with diuretic medications and intravenous fluid administration. Not only can nephrosis make way for kidney failure, the disease can also bring upon scarring in dogs.

Nephrosis in dogs is often the cause of acute kidney failure, says veterinarian Trevor Turner, author of "Veterinary Notes For Dog Owners." When acute kidney failure occurs, dogs often become extremely sick abruptly. Some indications to look out for include the swelling of the kidneys, excessive throwing up, loss of appetite and sluggishness. Dogs in these situations sometimes exhibit key uremic symptoms, too, including brown coloration of the tongue, cheek ulceration and markedly unpleasant breath. Urgent veterinary assistance is essential for any dog who possess any of these symptoms. Along with nephrosis, nephritis is a common cause of canine kidney failure.

Dogs who have nephrosis also sometimes develop nephrotic syndrome. When dogs have nephrotic syndrome, a variety of factors come together. Nephrotic syndrome entails minimal amounts of protein within the blood, some protein within the urine, and edema, the unusual buildup of fluid in the body. Nephrotic syndrome, more common in canines than in felines, is particularly common in dogs of middle age. Key symptoms of nephrotic syndrome in dogs are breathing troubles, limb swelling and skin discoloration. If parts of a dog's skin take on a purplish-blue tone, nephrotic syndrome could be the culprit.