Kidney Disease in Dogs
Chicken Jerky Strips from China and now Dental Chews as well?
In September 2007 and December 2008, the AVMA issued a warning about chicken jerky strips from China possibly causing kidney failure in dogs. Note that these products often appear to be made in the US, but if you search carefully, you'll find "Made in China" in tiny print somewhere on the bag.
In May 2009, researchers in Australia reported a possible link to Veggie Dents dental chews as well.
See Recalls for more information.
Introduction
My interest in kidney disease stems from being involved with a breed, the Chinese Shar-Pei, that is prone to genetic kidney disease (renal amyloidosis), and belonging to a family that also has genetic kidney problems (my grandfather, father, uncle and sister all have had Polycystic Kidney Disease).
I have compiled information here on diet, supplements, and medical treatments for dogs with some degree of kidney disease. One of my main goals is to provide alternatives to feeding your dog k/d, which I believe is inappropriate for dogs with early-stage kidney disease. It is also a problem if your dog does not want to eat it, as many dogs do not.
The first section is about the Tests Used to Diagnose Kidney Disease. This information will help you to understand your dog's diagnosis, and decide whether additional tests might be advisable. It is important to know the severity of your dog's problem to best understand how to treat it, and it can also be meaningful to find the cause of the problem, especially in younger dogs, who may be suffering from Acute Renal Failure (ARF) rather than Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).
Next is Diet for Dogs with Kidney Disease. This section will not provide specific diets, but will give you the information you need to create your own diet that is right for your dog.
Is Feeding a Low Protein Diet Necessary or Desirable? provides links to and excerpts from a number of different articles and studies that show that feeding a low protein diet will not prolong your dog's life or slow the progression of the disease.
A Table is provided that lists nutritional values for a number of different foods you may want to feed.
Sample Daily Diet provides specific diet diet guidelines, and Nattie's diet talks about the diet and treatment that I used with my own dog.
I have also included information on Prescription Renal Diets and Non-Prescription Commercial Diets that may be able to be used for at least part of the diet for dogs with early-stage kidney disease.
Information on Supplements for dogs with kidney disease is also provided.
Last is information on Medical Treatment, including the use of Sub-Q Fluids.
Links to More Information
Diet Information
NAT Nutritional Analysis Tools and System Calculate the nutrient content of various foods in a mealUSDA Nutrient Database or Nutrition Facts Database Look up the nutrient content of individual foods
Raw Meaty Bones Analysis Lists the nutrient content of several different raw meaty bones
Nutrition Counter Lists the amount of sodium (Na), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus in various foods
Phosphorus and Calcium Guidelines Lists the amount of calcium and phosphorus in various foods
Potassium and Sodium Guidelines Lists the amount of potassium and sodium in various foods
A Guide to Good Nutrition Links to information on various foods and nutrients (human oriented)
Dietary management of chronic renal failure General information on the role of protein, phosphorus, fat, sodium, potassium and calcium in the diet of dogs with chronic renal failure.
Web Sites with Current Information on Kidney Disease
International Renal Interest Society (IRIS)See IRIS Guidelines for clearly written information on staging of CKD and treatment recommendations.Dogs with kidney problems Excellent article on kidney disease in dogs, written by a vet
Kidney Failure in the Dog and Cat Good overview of the different types of kidney failure and their causes
Chronic Renal Failure: What You Should Know Another good overview with information on test results and treatment options
Managing a Renal Crisis
Chronic Renal Failure and Diabetes
Plan of Action for Amyloidosis Although this article is geared toward Shar-Pei with amyloidosis, it has a lot of information about various medications and dosages used to treat dogs with chronic kidney disease.
Very Technical
Chronic Renal Disease and Failure (CRD, CRF) Very technical but lots of good information.
Class Notes from WSU College of Veterinary Medicine Highly technical but very good information.
Class Notes and Links from UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Excellent resource, plus lots of links.
The Canine Kidney from the Waltham Course on Clinical Nutrition.
Chronic Renal Failure Class notes, highly technical but informative.
Chronic Renal Failure Very complete overview of different tests and treatments for various problems relating to kidney disease.
Prolonging Life and Kidney Function Very thorough overview of treatment for various aspects of kidney disease from 2009 conference proceedings.
Phosphatemia: Management in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease, A Roundtable Discussion (2006) Detailed information regarding phosphorus restriction and the use of binders.
Feline oriented
Tanya's UK Feline Chronic Renal Failure Information Centre Feline oriented, but lots of good information
Feline CRF Information Center Feline oriented, very informative.
Chronic Renal Failure from Holisticat
More Links
Kidney Disease in Dogs Lots of links to information of all kinds. Also includes some homemade diets near the bottom of the page.
Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology Page Links to more info
Glomerulonephritis
GlomerulonephritisGlomerulonephritis in Dogs (pages 1-4; click Close Windows on the popup)
Glomerulonephritis and Allergies Article from Good Dog Magazine
New Thoughts On Proteinuria And Management Of Glomerulonephritis
Lyme Disease
What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Lyme Disease
These sites are technical, but provide very good information:
Glomerulonephritis remains an important cause of renal disease in dogs (be sure to see both pages)
Glomerulonephritis in Dogs and Cats
Diagnosis and Management of Canine Glomerular Disease
Proteinuria and Renal Disease: A Roundtable Discussion
Strategies for Protein Losing Nephropathy
Assessment and Management of Proteinuria in Dogs and Cats
Glomerulopathy (glomerulonephritis) (GN)
Protein Losing Nephropathy: An Overview
Protein Losing Nephropathy
Leptospirosis (Acute Renal Failure)
LeptospirosisLeptospirosis in Dogs
Update on Leptospirosis
An Overview of Canine Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis posing new threat for canine hepatic, renal disease
Lethargic Chesapeake Case study of a dog with lepto
Serovars that may cause disease in dogs Table of the serovars commonly transmitted by a variety of different animals
Links to more info
Email Groups
K9KidneyDietK9Kidneys
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. My name is Mary Straus and you can email me at either or