Change of feed in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CNE)

• …preserve the still functioning kidney tissue for as long as possible and have a positive effect on the disease.
• …optimize your dog’s quality of life.
• …Relieve symptoms.
• …help your dog to live well with the disease for years to come.

The kidney – a miracle organ

The kidneys fulfill numerous vital tasks in the organism. In a healthy state, they are very efficient and can compensate for a dysfunction for years. What they have in common is that 70% of kidney tissue permanently damaged is before it noticeable symptoms Once this happens, all the toxins that the kidneys can no longer excrete accumulate in the body, further destroying the kidney tissue.

One early diagnosis and an immediate and lifelong therapy often leads to a slowing of the progression of the disease.

That is why it is all the more important Regular kidney checks (blood count, urine values, ultrasound if necessary) from the age of 5 at the latest to be carried out by the vet, even if the dog does not yet show any symptoms*.

*For dog breeds with a hereditary predispositionto develop CKD, kidney checks should be started earlier.

What is the function of the kidney in dogs?

The largest filter system your dog's two kidneys.
They have a variety of functions in the body:

• Purification of the blood of toxins and waste products, especially breakdown products of protein metabolism, in the so-called nephrons (renal corpuscles). Dogs have an incredible 180,000 – 400,000 of these filters per kidney.
• Regulation of blood pressure, fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance
• Urine production
• Distribution of certain Hormones
• Biosynthesis of Erythropoietin to form red blood cells

Causes of CNE in dogs

Congenital kidney damage

Racial predisposition: Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Beagle, Lhasa Apso, Samoaeds, Rottweiler, Doberman, Chow Chow or Golden Retriever as well as all terrier breeds such as z.BYorkshire Terriers have a genetic predisposition to kidney problems

Medications: Long-term medication can trigger CKD

Age: The filtering capacity of the kidneys decreases with age

Feeding: Excessive protein or phosphorus concentrations in food can cause further problems in dogs that already have kidney problems

Diseases: Infections, diabetes, infectious diseases such as leptospirosis, Lyme disease, leishmaniasis, uterine suppuration, diseases of the urinary tract (such as bladder and ureter), kidney stones, kidney cysts, tumors

Traumatic influences: Injuries or temporarily poor blood circulation to the kidneys caused by an accident

Environment: Chemicals and toxins that can cause kidney damage

Symptoms of CKD

One of the easiest signs to recognize is frequent drinking and, as a result, frequent urination.

As the disease progresses, toxins accumulate in the blood (azotemia), d.h.There are increased concentrations of urea, creatinine or other nitrogen-containing substances in the blood, which in turn leads to poisoning of the entire organism and a variety of symptoms.

Only in the advanced stages of the disease do further symptoms appear

Increased drinking and urination

Lack of appetite, possibly with weight loss

Lack of energy, listlessness, weakness

Urine-like bad breath, pale mucous membranes

Inflammation of the mouth and throat

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa

Recurrent diarrhea and/or vomiting

Dull fur

Susceptibility to disease, frequent infections

high blood pressure

Diagnosis – what tests are necessary?

Your veterinarian will first conduct a thorough General examination with blood pressure measurement on your dog. This will be followed by further tests to determine whether and to what extent your dog's kidneys are diseased:

• Blood analysis: creatinine and urea levels are increased because these waste products can no longer be sufficiently filtered out of the blood due to impaired kidney function. Sodium and phosphorus values also provides information about the degree of damage. The biomarker SDMA (Symmetrical dimethylarginine) helps to detect CNE at an earlier stage.
• Urine test: blood, protein and sugar content provide information about kidney function and the severity of the disease
• X-ray or ultrasound: Changes in the structure, shape and position of the kidneys become visible

What does the therapy look like and what does it all have to do with nutrition?

For long-term successful treatment, it is crucial to regularly monitored by your veterinarian allow.

• Drug therapy: Helps relieve kidney strain, alleviates symptoms, slows down the progression of the disease, and reduces fluid, electrolyte, vitamin, and mineral imbalances, as well as acid-base balance.
• Special kidney diet: What is crucial is a reduced phosphorus and protein content, with high protein quality, the palatability of the feed and the Meeting energy and nutrient needs
• Drink enough: Your dog with kidney disease must always have sufficient water available. day and nightHe can no longer concentrate his urine sufficiently and therefore loses too much fluid. If he cannot compensate for this fluid loss, life-threatening dehydration threatens.
• Diseases that cause CKD (see causes) prevent and treat

What does the special kidney diet look like for your dog with CKD?

IMPORTANT: The Kidney diet and the prescribed Medications have to keep thinking about the current blood values your dog adjusted become.

Above all, the Feed change should early implemented, not only when serious clinical symptoms occur.

Reduced protein content with high protein quality

Protein is broken down into urea and excreted through the kidneys. The aim of a kidney diet is to collection of the urea in the blood to reduce and your dog at the same time enough protein To ensure that there are enough essential amino acids for healthy cell regeneration, the Proteins are very easy to digest (less toxin formation) and a high protein quality have.

Plant protein can also be a good alternative for CNE, provided it is optimally open-minded For this purpose, a suitable feeding plan should be drawn up by a veterinarian specializing in animal nutrition.

Reduced phosphorus content, possibly also sodium content

There are two ways to reduce the phosphorus content of feed:

• Use of a low-phosphate feed
• Use of a phosphate binder, whereby excess phosphate is bound in the intestine and then excreted in the feces

Your veterinarian will decide what makes more sense in your case.

Bones, bone meal, offal, yeast or whey have a high phosphorus content and are unfortunately taboo for CNE dogs.

Since sodium excretion is also impaired in CKD, the sodium content may also need to be reduced. z.B. by omitting salt-containing food components. Please be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian beforehand. They will determine whether low-sodium food is necessary based on blood test results.

Reduced phosphorus content, possibly also sodium content

Due to the increased excretion of water-soluble vitamins in CNE, you should definitely ensure an adequate supply of vitamins and trace elements and Intake of B vitamins, vitamin D, possibly potassium and iron regard.

Since the accumulation of toxins Impact on the sense of taste and smell your dog and the appetite This often reduced you should especially tasty food with a high energy content feed.

2-3 meals throughout the day relieves the metabolism and is advisable for CNE. Your Treats and chews Don't forget them! They are part of the kidney diet and may even need to be omitted. With the right immediate measures, your dog can live a good and happy life even with CKD. Lots of love, attention, delicious food, and good canine companions will make your dog's everyday life with such a serious illness much easier.

We have summarized the most important points with which you can help your dog here:

General tips for dogs with chronic kidney disease:

• Have your dog's condition monitored regularly by your veterinarian
• Avoid stressful situations for your dog
• Always discuss medication administration with your veterinarian to avoid worsening renal blood flow
• Change the feed to a kidney diet early, not only when serious clinical symptoms occur
• Your dog with kidney disease must always have sufficient water available – day and night

Your VEGDOG team

A change in diet should always be discussed with a veterinarian. If you have any questions about this condition, please contact our veterinarians at tierarzt@vegdog.de.