Canine kidney disease is a very grave illness that affects many dogs. It can become life threatening very quickly and there are a number of things that cause the problem. Below you will find out what some of the usual causes of canine kidney disease are.
Bacteria is a major cause of kidney disease in dogs. It is pretty common for a dog to suffer from urinary tract infections. Infections like this are caused by bacteria that get in through the urethra and make it to the bladder. When these infections go untreated, then the bacteria can get into the kidneys. There, it will cause injury and loss of function which is irreversible.
Trauma is another common cause of kidney failure in dogs. If your dog is hit by a car or kicked hard enough it could cause kidney failure. Fungal infections can also cause trauma to the tissues of the kidney. There are two main fungal infections that often cause kidney damage, and these are blastomycosis and canine valley fever.
Obstructions in the bladder or urinary tract can also damage the kidney of your dog. These obstructions are most commonly caused by bladder or kidney stones. Stones like this are prone to becoming contaminated with bacteria, which then increases the infection risk. When an obstruction blocks the ability for urine to flow freely, then it can become life threatening in only a day or two.
If your dog ingests toxins, this can also cause kidney disease. It is the job of kidneys to filter toxins but when a toxin is too strong, it can cause them to shut down. The most common toxin ingested by dogs is antifreeze, because it has a sweet taste that dogs like. Other things that can cause renal failure if ingested are heavy metals, rat poison, some types of plants and turpentine. Keep all of these things out of reach of your dog.
Some types of medications that your dog must take can cause damage to the kidneys over time. You can avoid this by only giving your dog all natural medications for whatever medical problem they are having.
As you can see, canine kidney disease has a variety of sources. Some of these can be prevented, and others cannot. The most common cause of kidney failure in dogs is old age, and this cannot be treated. However, as long as you take care of your dog well, they shouldn’t have to get kidney disease for any other reason.
