Dog Kidney Failure Life Expectancy

Dog kidney failure is more common in older pets. The disease may be fatal, but dogs with this problem may live as much as 4 years. Typically, chronic kidney failure progresses slowly. However, the prognosis for dogs with kidney failure will depend on a number of factors.

Dog Kidney Failure

Kidney failure in dogs is a serious condition and affects the capacity to filter waste materials from the blood. The condition may be caused by the accumulation of toxins in the dog's body, which happens over a number of years due to diet or environmental factors. The disease may also be caused by an overdose of drugs or the ingestion of a toxic material. The symptoms of kidney failure may include:

The condition is not reversible and the prognosis is poor. However, if detected early enough, the dog can live a few years.

Factors Determining Life Expectancy

The life expectancy can be greatly modified by a few essential factors:

  • Whether the kidney failure is acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure develops quickly and may result in immediate death. Chronic kidney failure develops at a slow rate.
  • The stage in which the kidney failure was discovered. If the problem is detected when it is already advanced, the prognosis can be very poor.
  • The care given to the dog. A dog that receives medication and proper care may live longer than a dog that doesn't receive the same amount of support.
  • The age of the dog. Younger dogs may be able to regenerate and live longer.
  • The general state of health and the condition of the immune system.
  • The type of treatment administered to the dog.

A dog with kidney failure should receive intravenous (IV) fluids and a special diet. The diet should be poor in proteins, phosphorus and sodium, which will make the task of the kidneys easier. Drugs that filter phosphorus and other toxins from the dog's blood can be used to support the kidneys. Frequent tests should be performed to make sure the dog is eating a suitable diet.

Dog Kidney Failure Life Expectancy

The dog's life expectancy may be normal, provided he receives proper care. This is due to the fact that the dog is already old when the disease occurs and even without a kidney disease, his life expectancy would not exceed a few years. However, most frequently, the dog will die within the following year. Dogs in poor condition will die within the following 3 months. The disease may be fatal if it is acute and certain dogs may die within a few days, because he cannot remove the waste materials from the body and these can lead to immediate toxicity and death.

 

Comments