A Guide to Understanding Kidney Infections in Dogs

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Kidney infections—medically termed pyelonephritis—can be a serious health issue for dogs, often requiring careful diagnosis and treatment. Explore our guide to gain a thorough understanding of kidney infections in dogs, including what causes them, how to recognize the signs, and the best ways to treat and prevent them.

Causes of Kidney Infections

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Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that occurs when bacteria invade the kidneys. This can happen due to things such as kidney malfunction, kidney stones, a weakened immune system, and urine imbalances. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are another common cause of kidney infections. Typically, these infections travel through the bladder and ureters before reaching the kidneys.

Symptoms to Watch For

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To fight the infection before it worsens, you must know how to detect it early. Of course, you will need a vet to confirm your suspicion. At first, you’ll notice your dog is not “itself” anymore. Then later, it may strain to urinate, catch a fever, feel abdominal pain, have blood in its urine, begin to vomit or lose weight.

Diagnosis Methods

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There is no perfect test for diagnosing pyelonephritis. Your vet may need to perform several tests to make a presumptive diagnosis. Laboratory tests typically include blood and urine analysis. A high white blood cell count in the blood suggests an infection. Urinalysis may reveal white blood cells, protein, or bacteria, all of which can indicate a kidney infection.

Risk Factors

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Certain conditions can increase the risk of pyelonephritis, including ectopic ureters and vesicoureteral reflux. Vesicoureteral reflux involves the backflow of urine into the ureters from the bladder, while ectopic ureters occur when the ureters do not attach properly to the bladder or attach to a reproductive organ instead.

Impact of Age

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Dogs of all ages can develop kidney infections, but middle-aged and older female dogs are particularly at risk. After the age of seven, dogs are more prone to kidney infections. This increased risk in older dogs may be due to the higher likelihood of illnesses that weaken the immune system, making them more susceptible to pyelonephritis.

Preventive Measures

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Preventing kidney infections in dogs is easier than many people think. Ensuring your dog has enough fresh water helps prevent dehydration, which can increase the risk of infection. Regular exercise and a healthy weight are also important, as obesity can strain the kidneys and lead to infections. Let your vet regularly check your pet, too.

Treatment Options

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Antibiotics are used to treat kidney infections. Vets typically start by prescribing a common antibiotic for the infection and then decide which antibiotic to continue with after they see the urine culture results. There are no home remedies. If the dog also has kidney disease, your vet will design a diet to support the kidney.

Supportive Care

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Some dogs may require more than antibiotics in their recovery journey. Intravenous fluids will help rehydrate the dog and flush out toxins from the bloodstream. Meanwhile, a catheter may be used to monitor changes in the dog’s urinary output so the vet can know if the kidney is getting worse. Your dog may also have to take antacids and antinausea meds.

Prognosis

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While the prognosis for most dogs battling pyelonephritis is good or fair, it varies from dog to dog. Those with more severe infections can be hard to treat. The prognosis may be guarded or poor if the dog has long-term urinary tract issues. Preventive measures and early detection will go a long way to improving prognosis.

Recovery

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For most dogs, 10-14 days of antibiotic therapy is all they need to bounce back. At the end of the treatment, your vet may wait one or two weeks before checking your dog again to be sure there are no more signs of kidney infection.

Importance of Early Detection

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The earlier you detect a kidney infection, the less likely your dog is to face complications. With prompt treatment, the progression of the infection is halted, and damage to the kidney is minimized. Early detection is a result of vigilance, so pay close attention to your dog’s behavior and visit a vet if you aren’t sure.

Complications

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When left untreated, kidney infections can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, where the kidneys lose their capacity to filter waste from the blood. This failure can cause a dangerous buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. Infections can also progress to septicemia, a life-threatening condition that can result in death.

Home Care Tips

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Follow the vet’s instructions closely and ask questions if you do not understand anything. When your dogs come home from the vet, you have to take care of them to aid their recovery. Keep watching your dog’s behavior, and if you see any sign that the recovery is slowing down or reversing, contact your vet.

When to See a Veterinarian

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The day you notice any symptom of a kidney infection is the day to see a veterinarian. Immediate attention will prevent all the deterioration to your dog’s health that delaying treatment will bring. Regular vet visits can’t be overemphasized. If you take these visits seriously, your vet may even notice symptoms you’re missing early enough.

Stress Management

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A weaker immune system gives way to infections, and stress is one thing that can weaken your dog’s immunity. When you ease your dog’s stress, you save them from unnecessary illnesses. Making their environment low-stress and maintaining a routine are some ways to save your dog from stress.

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