Acute Kidney Injury in Dogs
Acute kidney injury, commonly abbreviated to AKI, is a sudden and potentially severe reduction in kidney function. It requires immediate veterinary assessment and treatment.
The kidneys normally filter waste products from the blood, regulate fluid and electrolyte levels and produce urine. When kidney function suddenly decreases, waste products can rapidly build up in the body and urine production may fall or stop.
Common causes include poisoning, infection, dehydration, reduced blood flow to the kidneys and an obstruction preventing the dog from passing urine.
Possible symptoms
Symptoms can develop suddenly and may include:
- Lethargy, weakness or collapse
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Drinking much more or less than usual
- Passing more or less urine than usual
- Straining or being unable to urinate
- Dehydration
- Unpleasant or unusual-smelling breath
- Mouth ulcers
- Abdominal discomfort
A dog with acute kidney injury may initially pass more urine than usual. In severe cases, urine production may become very low or stop completely.
Possible causes
There are numerous potential causes of acute kidney injury, including:
- Ureteral or urethral obstruction which prevents the dog from passing urine
- Antifreeze poisoning caused by ethylene glycol
- Severe dehydration or systemic shock
- Congestive heart failure or poor blood flow to the kidneys
- Liver failure
- Hypotension or very low blood pressure
- Clotting disorders
- Some medicines, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics
- Some insect or venomous snake bites
- Heavy-metal poisoning involving substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic or thallium
- Ingestion of certain toxic plants
- Trauma, severe burns or heatstroke
- Certain rodenticides and other poisons
- Pyelonephritis, which is a bacterial infection of the kidney
- Ingestion of grapes, raisins, sultanas or foods containing them
- Infections, including leptospirosis and, in some circumstances, Lyme disease
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis may involve blood tests, urine tests, blood-pressure measurement, ultrasound scans, X-rays and other investigations to identify the cause and assess the extent of the kidney injury.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Affected dogs may require hospitalisation, carefully monitored intravenous fluid therapy, medication, treatment for poisoning or infection, and relief of any urinary obstruction.
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of recovery, but the outlook varies according to the cause, the severity of the injury and how quickly treatment begins.