Kidney Disease:
The kidneys filter through blood to remove the waste materials and keep the good substances such as serum in the bloodstream. They also regulate calcium, vitamin D, and sodium levels (maintain healthy blood pressure). They secrete a hormone called erythropoietin which stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged and are no longer able to efficiently concentrate the urine and remove wastes. This causes an increased need for water intake to help flush out the toxins. Eventually no amount of water will be successful in flushing all the toxins and this means there is excessive damage to the kidneys.
Symptoms include: increased water intake and urination, vomiting, lack of appetite, anemia, weight loss and oral ulcers.
Feeding a biologically appropriate diet low in protein and phosphorus is the surest way to keep your dog`s kidneys healthy, and/or get them back to being healthy! For more information on kidney disease and its causes check out our blog here!
