Kidney disease - Acute and chronic

Common medical conditions

What are the two types of kidney disease?

• Acute kidney injury (AKI).

• Chronic kidney disease.

What is acute kidney injury (AKI) ?

AKI is the sudden damage to kidneys resulting in them becoming unable to filter waste products from the blood. This results in the rapid accumilation of toxins in the blood and associated illness.

What can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) ?

• Toxins (lillies, chemicals).

• Infections (such as leptospirosis).

• Injury (Such as those obtained from RTCs).

What is chronic kidney disease (CKD) ?

CKD is the result of long term progressive damage to the kidneys which results in loss of function and the accumilation of toxins in the blood.

What causes CKD?

The loss of 60 to 70% of nephrons in the kidneys due to:

• Aging/degeneration - natural wear and tear of kidney tissues over time.

• Inresolved AKI.

• Genetics.

• Urinary obstructions and stones.

• Other diseases or infections.

What indicators of health change in an animal with CKD?

• Water intake.

• Food intake.

• Urine production.

• BCS.

• Movement.

• Behaviour.

• Other - vomiting, hallitosis.

How does CKD effect water intake?

Increases.

How does CKD effect Urine production?

Increases.

How does CKD effect food intake?

Normal or Reduced.

Some animals may become fussier.

How does CKD effect BCS?

Loss of condition

How does CKD effect movement

Animals may become slow and lethargic. Muscle tremors (invoulantary shaking that effects the body) may become visable.

How does CKD effect behaviour?

Animals may sleep more, sleep in ventral recumbency (on chest and the belly) or sleep in unusual places (typically in cats).

May be quiter.

How is CKD treated?

• Through diet.

• Using medication.

• Fluid therapy.

How can CKD be treated using diet?

• Specialised prescription diets are restricted in phosphorus and sodium which slows disease and protects the remaing kidney tissue.

• BAsed on proteins that breakdown into less toxins to reduce kidney workload.

• High in omega 3 for anti-inflamitory purposes.

What medicine is used to treat/reduce the symptoms of CKD?

• Drugs to reduce blood pressure.

• Drugs to reduce protein leakage.

• Anti-nausea medications.

• Drugs to bind toxins.