Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common, but often silent, condition that affects pets as they age. Because kidney degeneration occurs over time, the signs’ onset is also gradual, making early detection challenging. To learn CKD’s ins and outs, read our Pets & Friends Animal Hospital team’s guide to identifying this disorder, and ensure you get your pet the help they need at the disease’s earliest stage.

How chronic kidney disease affects your pet

Although more common in senior cats than in dogs, CKD can affect any pet at any age. Younger pets may develop CKD because of congenital abnormalities, or after suffering an acute kidney injury such as toxicity or infection. Senior pets typically develop CKD because of progressive kidney degeneration after a lifetime of use. As kidney function fails, many bodily processes are affected, including:

  • Urine production
  • Water conservation
  • Metabolic waste filtration
  • Electrolyte regulation
  • Blood pressure regulation
  • Red blood cell (RBC) production

Why early detection of chronic kidney disease is important for pets

Early detection of any disease is important for preserving your pet’s health and quality of life (QOL), but doing so is especially important for CKD. Standard kidney function testing does not detect abnormalities until 75% of kidney function has been lost, at which point many pets show signs. CKD’s early detection benefits pets in the following ways:

  • Slowed disease progression — Early diagnosis and intervention slow the disease’s progression and preserve kidney function for a longer period.
  • Additional treatment options — A wide array of treatment options are available during CKD’s early stages, because the treatments are more effective and easier to administer. For example, subcutaneous fluid administration is more effective and easier to administer during the disease’s early stage than intravenous (IV) fluid therapy after the disease has progressed.
  • Improved QOL — By successfully managing CKD in its earliest stages, you can circumvent many of the illnesses associated with declining kidney function such as nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, and lethargy.
  • More cost-effective — Treating any disease during early stages is much more cost-effective than battling advanced disease. Late-stage CKD requires more intensive and costly care, which is less effective at slowing disease progression.

Common chronic kidney disease signs in pets

Recognizing a pet’s CKD signs can be challenging, as the disease typically progresses slowly, and signs’ onset is gradual and subtle. To detect the disease in its early stage, be on the lookout for the following common CKD signs:

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Muscle mass loss
  • Bad breath
  • Oral ulcers

How to detect early chronic kidney disease in your pet

Kidney disease is often not detected until only 25% of a pet’s kidney function remains. However, when you ensure your furry pal has regular wellness visits during which we perform early detection screening tests, our Pets & Friends Animal Hospital team can spot kidney dysfunction early in the disease process. We will evaluate your pet’s kidney function and overall health by performing the following diagnostic tests:

  • Regular physical exams — During a physical examination, we will assess your pet’s body condition and muscle mass, palpate their kidneys, and evaluate their mucous membrane color.
  • Standard blood work — Standard blood work consists of a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry panel. These two tests check for anemia, dehydration, kidney function, and myriad other health issues. While these tests provide important information, they do not reveal kidney value changes until about 75% of the organs’ function is lost.
  • Symmetric dimethylarginine assay (SDMA) testing — By performing an SDMA, we can detect kidney dysfunction much earlier than when we only do a CBC and blood chemistry panel. SDMA is a naturally occurring biological kidney function marker that begins to increase when the kidneys have lost 40% of their filtering ability. Unlike with other kidney function tests, muscle mass, lipemia, hemolysis, or icterus do not affect SDMA.
  • Urinalysis — Your pet’s urine sample reveals important information about their kidney health and function. A urinalysis allows us to evaluate the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine and process proteins.

Another effective way to detect whether your furry pal is developing CKD, is for you to monitor your pet at home. Keep a close eye out for changes in your pet’s:

  • Water consumption 
  • Appetite
  • Behavior and attitude
  • Activity
  • Urination and defecation habits

Closely monitoring your pet’s organ function over the years through annual or biannual screening tests is critical for detecting CKD in its early stage. Schedule your pet’s wellness visit and early CKD detection screening tests with our Pets & Friends Animal Hospital team.