Can Dogs Recover From Kidney Failure?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

When your dog’s kidneys stop filtering blood efficiently, it causes chaos. Waste products from digestion, which are normally expelled in urine, build up in your dog’s blood and make them sick. Common symptoms of kidney failure in dogs include increased thirst, lethargy, diarrhea, excessive urination, and dehydration.

Kidney failure, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a progressive disease, meaning a dog’s kidney function gets worse over time. While kidney damage can’t be reversed, it can be slowed down to give you more time with your dog.

“Identifying CKD early can help delay the progression of the disease, allowing your dog to live a longer and healthier life,” says Dr. Andrea Johnston, a veterinarian at The Vets.

Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about kidney failure in dogs and how to care for a dog with the illness.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs?

Kidneys are very resilient organs. Often, your dog won’t show symptoms until two-thirds of their nephrons (filters in the kidneys) have been damaged. However, blood tests may be able to detect kidney dysfunction before that point.

Early symptoms

Dogs with early CKD may become thirsty and need more bathroom breaks. Their damaged kidneys don’t clean blood as efficiently, so they make diluted urine. A lot more fluid will need to cycle through your dog’s body to clean their blood.

Later symptoms

As CKD progresses, toxic waste products build up in your dog’s blood and cause more widespread dysfunction. Once 75% of your dog’s nephrons are damaged, your dog may develop symptoms like:

• Lethargy
• Foul breath
• Lack of appetite
• Mouth ulcers
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Because of these symptoms, your dog may become dehydrated or suddenly lose weight. Additionally, high blood pressure (hypertension) and all its related symptoms are common in dogs with advanced CKD.

What Are the Stages of Kidney Failure?

There are four stages of kidney failure. Veterinarians determine your dog’s stage by measuring their blood creatinine and SDMA levels.

Often, dogs progress from one stage to the next as time passes. However, a short-term (acute) kidney injury can also speed up CKD and push your dog into the next stage.

What Causes Kidney Failure in Dogs?

A number of health issues can lead to kidney failure. “The most common is chronic interstitial nephritis, a low-grade inflammatory/degenerative process,” says Dr. Zac Pilossoph, consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Essentially, your dog’s immune system forces certain parts of the kidney to stay swollen for long periods, which interferes with kidney function.

Infections or blood circulation issues can also contribute to CKD. Unfortunately, the exact cause of kidney failure is unknown.

What Are the Risk Factors for Kidney Failure?

Chronic kidney disease affects around 7% of dogs. Generally, it’s more common among older and smaller dogs.

Additionally, research has found some of the most vulnerable breeds to kidney failure include:

1. Shetland Sheepdog
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Pomeranian
4. Shih Tzu
5. Miniature Pinschers

iStock/Martinns

How Does a Vet Diagnose Kidney Failure?

The classic test for kidney failure is a blood creatinine test, which measures waste products from protein digestion. The higher the creatinine level, the more advanced the disease. Meanwhile, a newer, more sensitive blood test for CKD measures symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). This test can detect early-stage kidney failure in dogs nearly 10 months before a traditional blood creatinine test.

Additionally, early-stage kidney failure can resemble other conditions like hyperthyroidism or diabetes. Sometimes, vets discover CKD accidentally through imaging scans while checking your dog for other conditions.

Lastly, veterinarians can confirm CKD by examining your dog’s blood. They may also take a urine sample to check for excess protein in your dog’s urine (proteinuria).

Is Kidney Failure in Dogs Treatable?

Treatment for kidney failure depends on your dog’s overall health and the stage of disease. Here are the four most common treatments vets might prescribe for your pup.

1. Medications

While kidney failure doesn’t directly cause pain, Dr. Johnston says it can make your dog feel uncomfortable, nauseous, lethargic, or full (especially in the later stages). Therefore, medications during these stages of kidney failure usually focus on reducing these symptoms and making your dog comfortable.

For example, a proton pump inhibitor can lower stomach acidity and make your dog less nauseous, and erythropoietin can give your dog energy if they have CKD-induced anemia.

Overall, your veterinarian can help you find the safest and most effective combination of medications for your dog.

2. Medical procedures

Dogs with late-stage kidney failure often have trouble keeping food and water down. So, they may need a feeding tube or fluid therapy, an IV that helps them stay hydrated.

However, more intensive treatments, like dialysis and surgery, usually aren’t appropriate for dogs. Dr. Johnston says while dialysis is life-saving for dogs with acute kidney injuries, it’s not the ideal option for chronic kidney disease.

Finally, dogs with CKD generally aren’t good candidates for kidney transplants. They tend to have many complications with the immunosuppressive drugs that prevent their bodies from attacking the new kidney.

3. Dietary changes

Pilossoph says there are a few dietary changes that can help dogs with CKD:

• More hydration: Fluids help your dog’s kidneys function at their best. Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water.
• Low-phosphorus food: “A low-phosphorus diet has been found to be important, as phosphorus is thought to contribute to stress on a kidney that is not otherwise healthy,” Dr. Pilossoph says.
• Omega-3 supplements: Omega-3s, often found in fish oil, help your body fight inflammation. At the right dose, Pilossoph says they can help slow the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases like CKD.

4. End-of-life care or euthanasia

Even with palliative care, a dog’s well-being can decline significantly with advanced kidney failure. Dr. Pilossoph tells pet parents that if their dog is experiencing more bad days than good, it’s a sign that their quality of life is no longer sufficiently adequate. At that point, you might start considering euthanasia.

Euthanasia is a very challenging and personal choice. While your vet can help you explore all your options, only you can make the final call when it’s time to say goodbye.

How Long Can a Dog With Kidney Failure Live?

While it’s impossible to predict your dog’s precise lifespan, you can make a reasonable guess based on their stage of kidney failure. Researchers analyzed the survival times of 545 dogs, classifying them based on their blood SDMA level.

Remember: These numbers are estimates, not deadlines. Plus, every dog has individual factors, like age and health, that affect their lifespan. Additional factors include:

• Early CKD treatment
• Weight maintenance
• Healthy phosphorus levels

Your vet can examine all these factors and give you the most accurate estimate of your dog’s remaining life.

iStock/Nadya Tkach

Can You Prevent Kidney Failure?

Dr. Johnston says you can take several steps to help prevent kidney failure in your dog:

1. Proper hydration: Giving your dog clean water helps maintain proper kidney function. Water fountains are a great way to ensure constant water access.
2. Balanced diet: Feeding a high-quality, balanced diet appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, and health condition is crucial.
3. Regular veterinary check-ups: Routine vet visits allow for early detection of any potential kidney issues. Blood tests and urine analysis can help monitor kidney function.
4. Maintain healthy weight: Obesity can lead to metabolic diseases, which may exacerbate kidney dysfunction.
5. Avoid toxic substances: Prevent your dog’s exposure to toxins such as antifreeze, certain plants, and certain medications, which can damage the kidneys.