Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in pets, especially seniors, but the condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Your pet’s kidneys play a vital role in maintaining their health and wellbeing, and our Colony Veterinary Hospital team explains why early CKD detection is so important for your furry pal.

Chronic kidney disease review for pet owners

CKD is a gradual, progressive kidney function decline. The initiating insult can be caused by many factors, but in most cases the underlying cause is never determined. Wear and tear on the kidney tissue seems to be a contributing factor, because senior pets develop CKD much more often than younger animals. You are likely aware that the kidneys are important, but you may not realize how significant they are to ensuring that the body continues functioning properly. The kidneys are responsible for numerous functions, including water conservation, toxin removal, blood pressure regulation, red blood cell production, protein conservation, mineral and electrolyte balance, and pH regulation. CKD compromises the kidneys’ ability to perform these important functions, leading to serious consequences for affected pets.

Chronic kidney disease concerns for pets

Kidney health is essential, because these organs are responsible for numerous bodily functions. To raise CKD awareness, our Colony Veterinary Hospital team presents these disease facts:

  • CKD is common in pets — CKD is estimated to affect about 1% of dogs and 1% to 3% of cats, and these numbers increase greatly as pets age, especially cats. Approximately 30% to 50% of cats 15 years of age or older develop CKD.
  • Pets don’t exhibit signs — CKD often goes undiagnosed and untreated, because pets don’t typically exhibit signs until the disease is advanced, when more than 70% of kidney function has been lost.
  • Signs are nonspecific — When signs finally manifest, they are subtle and nonspecific, including lethargy, decreased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. You likely won’t realize that your pet is sick, which can further delay diagnosis and treatment.
  • Certain factors increase your pet’s risk — Certain factors, such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), systemic disease, tick-borne illnesses, and hereditary conditions, can increase your pet’s CKD risk.
  • Cats have the highest CKD risk — Adequate water intake is critical to maintain kidney health, but cats don’t have a strong thirst drive, causing them to have a higher CKD risk than dogs.
  • Advanced CKD treatments are limited — Dialysis and kidney transplants aren’t readily available for pets, and treatment is limited to supportive care and treating CKD signs. 
  • Advanced CKD can be deadly — Pets in advanced CKD are at risk for a potentially life-threatening, medical crisis.

Chronic kidney disease detection in pets

Because CKD is so concerning, our Colony Veterinary Hospital team recommends yearly testing for adult pets and biannual testing for senior pets. Regular testing helps our team detect CKD in the early stages when the condition is easier to manage, which helps improve your pet’s quantity and quality of life. Our team may perform the following diagnostic tests:

  • Complete blood count (CBC) — A CBC evaluates your pet’s white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets. When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, their erythropoietin production decreases. This hormone normally functions to stimulate RBC production, so decreased erythropoietin results in decreased RBCs.
  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine — BUN and creatinine are waste products that the kidneys normally filter out of the blood. Elevated BUN and creatinine levels can mean the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, but these changes don’t typically occur until more than 70% of a pet’s kidney function has been compromised.
  • Urine protein — The kidneys are responsible for preserving protein, but when organ dysfunction occurs, protein is lost through the urine.
  • Urine concentration — CKD prevents the kidneys from concentrating urine, resulting in dilute urine.

Symmetric dimethylarginine testing for chronic kidney disease in pets

You may be wondering why veterinarians strongly recommend diagnostic testing if they don’t reveal a problem until 70% of kidney function is lost. However, diagnostic technology has improved in the last 10 years. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an amino acid that the kidneys produce when they break down protein. SDMA is a more sensitive and specific CKD test and can detect the disease when as little as 25% of kidney function has been lost, allowing diagnosis months before traditional tests. 

Early chronic kidney disease treatment in pets

Using the diagnostics discussed earlier, our Colony Veterinary Hospital team determines your pet’s CKD stage on a 1-to-4 scale. Treatment depends on your pet’s CKD stage. When detected early, treatment typically involves:

  • Nutrition — Dietary modification is an important CKD treatment. Renal therapeutic diets typically restrict protein, phosphorus, and sodium, providing high levels of water-soluble vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. 
  • Hydration — Adequate hydration is imperative for CKD pets. We recommend feeding your pet wet food and ensuring they always have access to fresh, clean water.
  • Blood pressure control — CKD pets often have elevated blood pressure, and we may prescribe blood pressure lowering medications.
  • Monitoring — Our team should monitor your pet at least two to three times per year to determine if their CKD is progressing, so we can adjust treatment if necessary.

Advanced chronic kidney disease treatment in pets

CKD is more difficult to manage after it has progressed to the advanced stages. A pet diagnosed as being in CKD stages 3 or 4 typically requires additional treatments such as:

  • Fluid therapy — Fluid therapy is often necessary to maintain an advanced CKD pet’s hydration. This typically involves subcutaneous fluid administration daily or every other day. 
  • Medications — To help effectively control hypertension, stimulate RBC production, decrease blood phosphorus levels, increase potassium, and control urinary protein loss, our team will prescribe appropriate medications.
  • Monitoring — Advanced CKD pets typically must be monitored every one to two months to assess their condition and to ensure their treatment remains effective.

Early detection is the best way to manage pets’ CKD. To have your pet screened for CKD, schedule an appointment with our Colony Veterinary Hospital team.