In order to understand why our pets, get kidney disease and its impact on their health, it is important to know what kidneys do. In this three-part series, we will discuss what the kidneys do, what causes kidney failure and how we diagnose it, treat it, manage it and monitor your pet who is living with kidney disease.
Kidneys are made up of units called nephrons; these are responsible for separating the products that our bodies need from those that our bodies have to excrete. When our kidneys need to dispose of waste or toxins these products are dissolved in water and passed when our pets urinate. Kidneys are also efficient at conserving and balancing electrolytes like potassium, which if low can lead to muscle weakness.
Kidneys also play an important role in hydration or water conservation, when your pet is dehydrated the kidneys are still able to manage toxin excretion, they just doing it using leskinds water. On the other side if a pet consumes a large amount of water the kidneys will remove it, which prevents dilution of the bloodstream.
Balancing calcium and phosphorus in the blood is another function of the kidney if these are off balance if can cause weakening of the bones. Kidneys also balance pH balance which requires a fine balance and if not regulated medical intervention is necessary.
Blood pressure is regulated by the kidneys and kidneys need to be working efficiently in order to prevent high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels in the body, including those in the kidney.
Kidneys produce a hormone that regulates red blood cells by telling the bone marrow to produce more. Kidneys also via the nephron filter toxins but conserve the important proteins that circulate in the bloodstream, both these functions play a role in causes of anemia and low protein.
As discussed, the kidney’s function is very important in many areas of the body and vital for good health and quality of life. In the next part of the series, we will discuss the importance of early diagnosis and how and why kidney disease can affect your pet.
Written by Jane Corkum, DVM
