If a dog has problems urinating, this may indicate chronic renal insufficiency.
Diseases of the internal organs are also not uncommon in dogs, especially in older animals. Of particular importance are the organs that are at the center of metabolism, such as the kidneys. As the main excretory organ, they are responsible for the daily production of urine. One of their main functions is the formation of concentrated urine. If the kidneys are chronically damaged, they can no longer fully perform their two main tasks of concentrating urine and excreting urinary substances. Dogs then suffer from chronic hypofunction of the kidneys (insufficiency).
As the urine can no longer be sufficiently concentrated, the amount of urine that has to be passed daily increases. Dog owners notice this particularly quickly because the four-legged friend suddenly can no longer "hold out" at night, for example, or the amount of urine visibly increases when urinating. As a rule, dogs are then also more thirsty, i.e. they drink more water.
The problem with chronic kidney hypofunction is that it is progressive, i.e. the destruction of the kidney tissue cannot be stopped. As the urinary substances that are toxic in the animal's body are no longer excreted, the animal poisons itself, so to speak. The affected animals are then clearly ill. They are not hungry, sleep a lot, tend to vomit and have diarrhea and lose weight. A urine-like mouth odor may also be present.
Treatment for chronic renal insufficiency is varied, but always includes the administration of a diet. Renal diets are essential to reduce the levels of urinary substances in the blood. Renal diets contain less protein than conventional diets so that less urea is formed in the protein metabolism. This can lower the urea content in the blood. In addition, the phosphorus content is also reduced in order to delay the progressive destruction of the kidney tissue.
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