Diagnosis and therapeutic management of renal failure in dogs

Abstract

newline The present investigation was aimed to study the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of renal failure in dogs. The study was conducted on 3311 dogs presented in the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Palampur. On the basis of history, clinical examination, haemato- biochemical profile, urinalysis and imaging studies, 140 dogs were suffering from renal failure thus representing an incidence of 4.2%. Out of 140 affected dogs, 16(11.42%) dogs suffered from acute renal failure (ARF) whereas 124(88.58%) were of chronic renal failure (CRF). 52 (37.14%) dogs were in Stage III whereas 88 (62.86%) were in Stage IV of renal failure. Maximum incidence of ARF was reported in 5-8 years whereas CRF was most prevalent (75/124; 60.48%) in dogs more than 8 years of age. Labrador was the most common breed affected followed by Pomeranian and German Shepherd. Major clinical signs observed were anorexia, vomition, dehydration, halitosis, hypothermia and anaemia. Pre renal, renal and post renal causes were present in 12.5%, 6.25% and 18.75% dogs with ARF whereas these were 1.61%, 62.10% and 3.22% respectively in CRF dogs. Dogs suffering from ARF were having leucocytosis, marked elevation of BUN (129.20 ± 8.06mg/dl) and Creatinine (5.40 ± 0.45 mg/dl) whereas potassium was marginally increased with no alteration in acid base status. Urinalysis revealed presence of proteins, glucose, RBCs and decreased urine pH. CRF dogs had lower values of Hb, PCV, TEC, markedly elevated BUN (114.23 ± 5.16 mg/dl), Creatinine (8.60 ± 0.95 mg/dl) and phosphorus (9.32 ± 0.31mg/dl) along with marked decrease in blood pH, bicarbonate (HCO3) and Base excess(BE) indicating metabolic acidosis. Urinalysis revealed presence of blood, protein, glucose, decreased specific gravity with increased urine protein creatinine ratio. Microbiological examination of urine revealed presence of Leptosira illini in 3 dogs through Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E.coli was the predominant bacteria followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus e