Kidney failure usually occurs in older dogs, and there isn’t much we can do about it. Your dog’s kidneys are necessary to maintain the balance of minerals in their body and eliminate waste substances from the bloodstream. Some causes of kidney failure are avoidable, and knowing how to protect your canines from these threats is important. Thankfully, we have gathered some simple tips you can follow to avoid kidney failures in your furry companion. Keep reading below to know more.
Five Tips to Prevent Kidney Failure
It’s distressing when pets do not function like their usual energetic and active nature due to kidney failure or other health problems. However, with the five preventative tips we have prepared, you can better protect your canine from kidney issues.
1. Use tick prevention on your pet
Deer ticks are the cause of Lyme disease in dogs. While 90% of pets exposed to the stated disease don’t actually get sick, those affected may experience an extremely severe and fatal disease called Lyme nephritis. Severe inflammation of the kidneys, called nephritis, occurs when a pet experiences Lyme nephritis, resulting in large protein losses from their kidneys. Lyme nephritis cannot be undone once it happens to your pets.
You may believe vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease can prevent this illness, but this method isn’t always effective. Many veterinarians would recommend using high-grade tick prevention products to keep pets safe from diseases and infections that may be caused by particular parasites. You may visit a facility that offers veterinary services in Concord to know more about tick prevention in dogs.
2. Keep chemicals out of reach
While we know many chemicals might be dangerous to pets (and humans), we often fail to consider how our beloved pets might be at greater risk of direct exposure to hazardous chemicals. Bathroom cleaners, antifreeze, insecticide, and other poisonous substances must be stored away to prevent your canines from accidentally consuming them.
Antifreeze can entice pets due to its sweet taste and scent, and it can significantly harm their kidneys when consumed, even in small amounts. Your dogs might ingest something harmful or poisonous in the most unexpected situations, so it’s necessary to be attentive to their surroundings. If a canine unexpectedly swallows something hazardous, a veterinary surgeon Concord will perform surgery or use methods to induce vomiting, causing the ingested item or chemical to be taken out.
3. Give them the proper food
One simple way to avoid kidney failure in pets is by providing them with the right food. Most veterinarians would recommend feeding a diet low in protein, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium to your puppy, as this can help slow down the development of kidney disease. Moreover, these can help improve and support their kidney enzymes, resulting in a healthier life and lengthier life expectancy.
Avoid feeding chocolates, grapes, avocados, and nuts to your pets, as these might be harmful to them. Additionally, tomatoes, raw carrots, dairy products, spinach, and asparagus must not be fed to your canine as these can aggravate UTIs. Neglected UTIs can lead to dysfunction of the kidney or bladder stones, lower urinary tract, and even kidney failure and infections.
Bringing your dog to a veterinary internal medicine professional when you notice signs of UTIs or kidney problems is essential so they can be provided with the correct treatment right away. Professional guidance and care are needed to guarantee your pets are well taken care of.
4. Make sure they have access to freshwater
Water is beneficial for your canine’s general health and has many good benefits both in and out. Enough water in your pet’s diet helps dilute their urine, permitting them to flush toxins in their bodies with ease and convenience. Guaranteeing your pets have access to fresh water is necessary to keep their kidneys functioning and prevent dehydration.
5. Take good care of their teeth
Taking care of your pet’s teeth can help lower the chances of having kidney complications. Dental disease is among the usual causes of chronic kidney failure in dogs that are frequently neglected. Gum disease hurts your dog’s mouth and increases the risk of heart, liver, and kidney conditions. Brushing your canine’s teeth every day and routinely taking them to a pet dentist can help monitor their oral health and prevent systemic diseases like kidney issues.
