The most important function of the kidneys is to filter nitrogen and other waste products out of the blood. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, toxic wastes can build up to dangerous levels. This is called “azotemia.” Many things can damage the kidneys – some happen suddenly, while others develop gradually over time. Acute or sudden-onset renal failure (ARF) is the less common of the two types of kidney failure in dogs. ARF is a clinical condition characterized by some severe and unexpected insult to the kidneys, usually to both of them. Uremic toxins, which normally would be filtered by functional kidneys and excreted in the urine, quickly accumulate in the bloodstream, causing serious imbalances in the electrolyte composition of blood and other bodily fluids. Acute renal failure may be reversible if it is caught quickly and treated aggressively, although more often than not it ultimately is fatal. Chronic renal failure, which is the more common, slowly-progressive form of the disease, is almost always irreversible. With either acute or chronic renal failure, the primary waste product that builds up in circulation is blood urea nitrogen, known as “BUN” in medical circles.
Domestic dogs can develop acute renal failure (ARF) for a number of different reasons, the most common of which is ingestion of some sort of toxic chemicals. Other causes include: shock, trauma, hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s Disease), blood clotting/coagulation disorders, adverse reactions to medication (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); others), prolonged exposure to general anesthesia, prolonged exposure to temperature extremes (hyperthermia; heatstroke; hypothermia), high blood pressure (hypertension), insufficient blood flow to the kidneys, adrenal gland insufficiency, congestive heart
The symptoms of acute renal failure typically come on suddenly, as its body tries to compensate for the kidneys’ inability to filter and flush toxins out in the urine. Among the first signs noticed by most owners are increased thirst and water intake (called “polydipsia”) and passage of unusually large amounts of urine (called “polyuria”). Sometimes, housetraining accidents start to happen. Occasionally, owners will notice a smaller urine output than normal, especially in late-stage disease;
Acute renal failure (ARF) can be tricky to diagnose, because many of the signs of this disease mimic those caused by other ailments. However, given time and a willing owner, veterinarians have the skills and the tools to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Dogs with ARF that is severe enough to cause noticeable signs usually arrive at the veterinary clinic with a normal hair coat and in good body condition. Their owners bring them in
Acute renal failure (ARF) shows up suddenly as the result of some severe insult to the kidneys. The goals of treating this condition are to alleviate the symptoms of uremia, correct life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities and dehydration, restore proper urine production and concentration, delay progression of disease if possible and improve the dog’s overall comfort. It is critical to flush circulating toxins and waste products from the blood of a dog in acute renal failure. Most