Homemade dog food for renal failure
Introduction
Chronic or acute kidney disease, also known as renal failure is a severe and sometimes a progressive disease that affects a dog’s ability to rid the bloodstream of toxins and wastes. Epalin : This disease can be acute or chronic renal failure and it badly affects a dogs life. Caring for a dog with renal failure sometimes involves a change of diet and homemade dog food truly do help. A homemade diet can be adjusted to a given nutrient profile of the dog hence a better option for a dog with kidney disease since it has a better control on the portions and types of ingredients to be given. In this article, you will find a detailed analysis of the nutrients required for the diets of dogs in renal failure, which ingredients are ideal or should be avoided and the step by step process of preparing kidney disease dog diets.
Understanding Renal Failure in Dogs Renal failure in dogs is categorized into two types:
They include; acute and chronic illnesses.
Acute Renal Failure:
This type of kidney disease is acute in nature and may be precipitated by poisoning, infections or injury to the kidney. If one recognizes acute renal failure and provides the right treatment, then it could be reversed. Acute kidney wound, also entitled acute renal failure, is consequently a state of concentrated renal function that is rapidly liberal. This disorder receipts place when the kidneys fail to successfully remove surplus products and toxins out of the blood torrent hence a build up of the similar in the body. Acute renal failure, however, occurs over a shorter period, it can take hours, one or two days and can be induced by events such as poisoning, general lack of water, bacterial or viral infections or physical trauma. If it is patterned in good time, it can be upturned, but if not, may principal to chronic kidney impairment, or even be incurable. As much as medical consideration needs to be required as soon as conceivable for treatment of the root source of the problematic, proper and continuous care has to be rendered to the kidneys so that they can recuperate their functionality.
Treatment
The administration of acute renal failure consequently involves dealing with the reasons for illustration abolition of toxins in the body or contagions. Often supplementary treatments, such as intravenous fluids, are accomplished in an application to rehydrate the patient, inspire the removal of the toxins in the body, and arouse the kidneys. Medicines may also be prearranged to treat other indications that are connected with acute renal failure in dogs such as nausea, vomiting and high blood compression. In some of the severe cases, it is necessary to take the dog to the hospital mainly if it has a severe hydration problem or is in a bad condition. Dialysis may also be employed in severe conditions with a view of helping the kidneys remove waste from the blood. This is why constant observation and should have a good eye on its fluid balance, blood pressure and the kidney function in an attempt to enhance maximum recovery. , after the stabilization, the outcome of the dogs with acute renal failure is not predicted. If the cause is known, and treated, the person has a high chance of improving and getting better. But if the kidney is affected to a great extent or if the treatment is not provided at the earliest, then there are chances of long-term sequel or chronic kidney disease. After restoration, one must pay attention to the dog’s health and might have to change their diet and other aspects so as not to overburden the kidneys again.
Chronic Renal Failure (CKD):
This is the most frequent type of kidney disease in dogs especially in the older dogs. CKD is progressive and unlike some diseases it has no known cure that can be administered to halt the progression. The disease is chronic and evolves over time but has easily controllable symptoms when treated via medical intervention and appropriate nutrition plan modifications and changes in the patient’s lifestyle. The kidneys are in charge of filtering the blood to maintain the balance of water and also electrolyte and also producing some hormones. In some cases, when the kidneys are not functioning properly some of their symptoms include, vomiting, loss of weight, lack of appetite, dehydration, fatigue, and foul breath. These symptoms, as well as the progression of the disease can be controlled to a large extent by the management of diet in particular.
CKD also referred as chronic renal failure is long standing and progressive disease characterized by the gradual deterioration of the kidney functions. Acute renal failure develops over a short time, usually days while on the other hand, CKD evolves over a long period of months to years and affects older dogs. When the kidneys are starting to deteriorate, they are also less efficient in the processing of wastes, in controlling electrolytes, and in maintaining the body’s fluids. This results to accumulation of toxins in the blood stream, some of the signs include excessive drinking of water, frequent formation of urine, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness and loss of body weight. The predisposing factors for development of chronic renal failure are many, though genetic factors, old age, or chronic infections. Unfortunately, CKD is uncurable, but with the help of some medications and diet changes it is possible to slow down the degradation of the animal’s condition and keep the dog comfortable. Focal management entails minimizing the renal load in the sense of avoiding the worsening of symptoms, low protein meal, low phosphate intake and maintaining adequate intake of water. It is necessary to visit the veterinarian in a non-stressful manner and execute a blood test to evaluate the kidney’s function and the necessary changes in the treatment plan.
For chronic renal failure, thus one of the major objectives is to limit the further decline of renal function and to treat symptoms. Nutrition therapy is often a component in the intervention plan with consideration being given to the type and amount of protein, phosphorus and sodium. Protein foods that are of high biological value which are not hard for the kidney to process should be taken in small proportions. This is because when phosphorus is lowered, it is difficult for the poison that causes further damage in the kidneys to develop and on the other hand, such poison that causes fluid buildup and high blood pressure due to sodium must be avoided or regulated. However, medications may be given where there are specific symptoms to be controlled or complications that arise from the condition. For example, phosphate binder can be used to control the level of phosphorus in the blood or antihypertensive for hypertension that characterizes many dogs with CKD. Other supplementary foods like omega-3 fatty acids are useful be cause they reduce inflammation within the Kidneys.
Treatment
Therapy of CRF in dogs is centred on treating the disease symptomatically so as to check the progression of the disease hence enhancing the quality of life of the affected animal. CRF is a chronic and irreversible illness, however, treatment focuses on minimizing the load on the kidneys and prevention and control of complications which may be caused by the illness. Dietary Management: One of the interventions involve changing the diet of the dog towards a diet that is favoured by the kidneys. Companies may have to recommend low protein, low phosphorus and low sodium diet for their patrons. Limiting protein also aids in the prevention of forming end products while limiting phosphorus also helps in the control of exacerbation of kidney disease. There are commercial renal diets, and these are prepared to cater for the nutritive requirements of dogs with kidney ailment. Hydration: Royal (2012) also stated that adequate fluid balance is important in the care of the clients with CRF. In the last stages of CRF when the kidneys cannot concentrate urine properly a dog may experience dehydration. They need to make sure that the dog is well hydrated by making the water available and fresh. At later stages of the disease it is good for the owner or vet to use subcutaneous fluid therapy to keep the fluid balance and support the kidneys.
Appetite stimulants: These can be prescribed if the dog is poor eater. Regular Monitoring: Dental hygiene should be performed on a regular basis to ensure that the dog’s kidney health is well checked and treatment given if need be checked accordingly. The processes include blood count, blood chemistries, electrolyte balance, kidney function, liver function, and urine analysis, may be used to monitor the progression of the disease to treaties the current treatment plan. Supplementation: Omega-3 fatty acids and other supplements including antioxidants may be prescribed to help in curtailing inflammations as well as promoting the health of kidneys. Additional potassium supplements may also be something that is required depending on the potassium levels on the blood which tend to be low in dogs with CRF. Managing Complications: A disease has various symptoms in its later stages they include electrolyte imbalances, acidosis or gastrointestinal complications. These are managed on an outpatient basis with the appropriate medication, fluid or diet modification. What is more, although it is impossible to fully heal chronic renal failure, the treatment substantially contributes to increasing the dog’s comfort and enhancing the quality of its life, and therefore the canine may live many years after the diagnosis with proper treatment and care.
