Kidney Disease in your dog or cat

Kidney disease is one of the most common disorders seen in cats and dogs. Its more common in animals that are eight years or older. While kidney disease can be fatal, it can also be treated and in some cases it can be cured.  Lets take a look at the testing that allows for the diagnosis of kidney disease. 

Blood Tests

• The BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is one of three blood tests used to test for kidney function. This test is good for screening but its not perfect. The BUN only elevates significantly if kidney function has been destroyed by 60% to 70%. It is an inexpensive test to run and is included in most blood panels, the results are also affected by diet, exercise, and muscle mass so your vet will have to take these factors into account. 

• Creatinine refers to an amino acid constituent of muscle protein. Like the BUN, this test also wont show elevated results until kidney function has been destroyed by 60% to 70% and can be affected by diet, exercise, and muscle mass, although its not as affected as it would be with the BUN. 

The BUN and Creatinine tests are not good for an early diagnosis but will work to diagnose at a later stage. 

• SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) tests for the amino acid arginine. These levels elevate very early in the course of kidney disease, It shows up anywhere from 12 - 36 months before BUN and Creatinine. These levels elevate around 25% kidney damage. 

Other tests

• Infectious disease testing- bacterial infections move to the kidneys and cause damage.
• Urine testing- A urinalysis can compliment the results of blood tests, It can detect protein loss through the kidneys. it will also show you if  glucose or ketones are present (indicating diabetes) 

Understanding kidney disease and failure

kidney disease is any infection, trauma, inflammation, poisoning, ect. that affects the kidneys. Kidney failure accurs when 2/3 to 3/4 of both kidneys can no longerfilter toxins from the blood.

There are two basic forms of kidney disease/ failure:

1. Acute Kidney Failure  occurs quickly (overnight or within a few hours to days of kidney damage) This is usually the result of infection, poisoning, or kidney stones. It is difficult to treat but when treated properly it can be cured with no long-term effects for the animal.

2. Chronic Kidney Failure  This usually occurs in older animals, its from years of low-grade insult to the kidneys. The initial insult may be unknown, but chronic vitamin D toxicity from pet foods can be a culprit. (its important to get regular vitamin D testing)  This type of kidney failure is easier to treat but cannot be cured. 

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