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- High Creatinine in Dogs and Kidney Problems
- Kidney disease in dogs
- Kidney disease in dogs: symptoms
- Kidney disease in dogs: treatment
- Kidney problems in dogs: care
If your dog is sick or old, it is possible that your veterinarian will extract a blood sample to analyze during the consultation. This clinical test will allow to know the general condition of the dog and, above all, if it presents any abnormality in the functioning of its organs.
One of the analysis parameters is creatinine. In this PeritoAnimal article, we will explain what the high creatinine in dogs, symptoms, causes and treatments.
High Creatinine in Dogs and Kidney Problems
Elevated creatinine levels in dogs indicate that the kidneys are not working properly. The role of the renal system is fundamental, as the kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, cleaning impurities and eliminating it through the urine.
The kidneys can fail as a result of some illness, disorder or deterioration caused by age. The renal system can self-compensate for a long time, that is, although it starts to fail, the animal will not show any symptoms. That's why it's so important review, at least once a year if your dog is over 7 years old.
Also, if you notice any anomaly, it is essential that the dog receives early treatment. You should know that just high creatinine in dogs does not necessarily mean that there is kidney damage. high urea in dogs, creatinine and phosphorus are the data used to diagnose kidney disease.
Kidney disease in dogs
Urinary tract obstructions, bladder ruptures or intoxications, when affecting the kidney, can alter functioning. In these cases, the frame is of a acute kidney disease. If treated, it is possible that kidney function will recover and the dog will not have sequelae, however, at other times, the structure of the kidney is irreversibly damaged, causing major kidney problems in dogs.
These dogs will suffer from a chronic kidney disease for a lifetime that will require follow-up and treatment. This kidney dysfunction is responsible for high creatinine in dogs and causes the symptoms we'll look at next.
Kidney disease in dogs: symptoms
High creatinine in dogs is one of the parameters used by veterinarians to determine severity of kidney disease, as it can differentiate into 4 stages. The symptoms that we can observe in our dog are the following:
- Weight loss and bad appearance in general;
- Increased water intake;
- Changes in urine elimination, which may excrete large amounts or none;
- Vomiting and diarrhea;
- Dehydration;
- Ammonia-scented breath;
- As the disease progresses, complications such as edema or coma may occur.
Kidney disease in dogs: treatment
High creatinine in dogs can constitute a vital emergency. In acute cases, levels can be rampant. In this situation, the veterinarian will explain how to decrease high creatinine in a dog, following the following measures:
- The dog will be dehydrated, so the fluid therapy becomes necessary.
- There is no remedy that reduces high creatinine in dogs, however, if it is known, it is possible to treat the cause of its elevation. For example, a bladder rupture that requires surgical intervention.
- There are a few drugs that can be used to control other symptoms and make the dog feel more excited. Thus, an animal with vomiting may need antiemetics or gastric protectants.
These are measures for acute cases. If the dog recovers and there is irreversible kidney damage, he will become a chronic kidney patient, as we'll see in the next section.
Kidney problems in dogs: care
High creatinine in dogs, except for exceptionally high creatinine, as in acute cases, is what animals with chronic diseases usually have. In these cases, the treatment consists of maintain creatinine, urea and phosphorus at the lowest levels reached for as long as possible, knowing that they will not return to normal.
The veterinarian, through data from blood tests, urine and other additional tests such as x-ray or ultrasound and blood pressure measurement, will determine what stage of the disease the dog is and, depending on the diagnosis, will prescribe some pharmacological treatment.
Also, dogs must have a food for dogs with kidney failure. It is necessary to ensure that they remain hydrated, drinking or eating moist food, go to the vet in case of any symptoms and this will help in a periodic follow-up.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.