How Kidney and Liver Failures Are Treated In Dogs

As a dog owner, you can attest to the fact that it is not always a smooth sail for your pet. He is bound to fall sick once in a while. But what do you do when your dog’s kidney and liver fails? 

Both the kidney and liver hold a significant role in the body of your dog. The kidney aids in the removal of waste in the blood, whereas the liver, has an essential function of digestion and elimination of body waste.

What does that mean? If the two organs are not working correctly, then there is a problem. The processes will not be executed and will only end up making your dog sickly. 

What is liver failure?

Also known as liver disease, it is a condition which is more or less spontaneous and bars the ability of the liver to function. If the condition escalates, the liver may die. If you notice that your dog is vomiting, having diarrhea, a distended abdomen and seizures, then it might be a sign that it has liver disease. You should, however, not make any conclusions until you visit a vet. 

Treatment

If your dog has been diagnosed with liver failure, the following is the treatment that you should expect for it to undergo.

1. Assessment of the organ function

Before any treatment is administered, the veterinary will have to do an organ evaluation for him to be able to identify the extent of damage and recommend the appropriate treatment. There are several causes of liver failure in dogs, and the disease will be treated based on that.

2. Acute liver disease

For acute liver disease, the recommended treatment is oxygen supplementation, fluid, electrolytes and restricted activity. All these will also depend on the type of toxins that are present in the liver.

3. Severe liver disease

If the condition is critical, it is recommended that your dog goes through enteric or catheter feeding. A course of medication may also be prescribed for your dog.

4. Bile obstruction

If failure is due to bile obstruction, the dog might have to go through surgery or medicated with ursodiol.

5. Failure caused by infections

Antibiotics will be recommended in this case. Antiviral medications may also be prescribed too.

What is Kidney Failure?

If a kidney is unable to remove waste from the blood, then it can be said to have failed.

It is brought about by the build-up of the waste. Kidney failure may occur gradually or suddenly. There are two types of kidney failure: acute and chronic.

Acute failure is more spontaneous and can be reversed if treatment is done aggressively. On the other hand, chronic failure may take some time. The condition is irreversible but manageable. Just like the liver disease, kidney failure is brought about by some causes.

Aging, ureteral obstruction, heart conditions, and Lyme disease are some of the causes. The symptoms include a decrease in the frequency of urination, lethargy, increased thirst, weakness, and weight loss. Again, the only way to establish whether your dog has kidney failure is to visit a vet. If it is diagnosed. The following would be the recommended treatment for it.

1. Failure due to infections

If it has been established that infections are the reasons behind the failure, antibiotics will be administered.

2. Dialysis

Dialysis is done to help the kidneys remove toxins from the blood.

3. Primary treatment

On an outpatient basis, kidney failure can be treated through fluid therapy, a change in diet and other medication. You should not despair. As much as the condition is terminal, it is entirely manageable even as it progresses over months and years.

Prevention is better than cure. There are practices that you can adapt to prevent your dog from having kidney failure. Ensure that he drinks plenty of water, be careful as you breed dogs as some have hereditary kidney failure, bar access to toxins and carry out regular check-ups at the vet.

The guide will help you understand what usually causes liver and kidney failure in dogs. It will go a long way in lessening the chances of it happening. At the same time, you will be able to identify the signs early enough and seek treatment while the condition is still manageable.

As aforementioned, regular check-ups by the vets are vital as you will be able to identify the diseases in their early stages while they are still reversible. Also, you might find that your dog is having other issues like shedding which can easily be taken care of by using authentic dogs home remedies for dog shedding. 

As the dog owner, it is essential that you adhere to the prescriptions given for the treatment since your dog cannot on its own. It will be up to you to ensure that your dog gets the treatment it requires.

 

Featured Image Photo by Bruno Cervera from Pexels

The post How Kidney and Liver Failures Are Treated In Dogs appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://www.valheart.com/how-kidney-and-liver-failures-are-treated-in-dogs/

Coping with Loss – Chris Davis on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™

On today’s show, Chris Davis talks about forever animals, soul work and soul bonding, coping with loss.  Chris is the award-winning author of many much-loved books.

• We talked about her amazing forever dog, Martha, and how Martha and an Angel inspired her to write and illustrate her first book after Martha died tragically. 
• We talked about using your Angel Eyes to hear, see and intuit life so that everything makes sense.
• We discussed our Soul’s work together, and I shared the heartwarming and inspiring story of Sierra the Wonder Horse and the magical pennies.

This episode will touch the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the soul bonding of a forever animal soulmate companion or has been devastated by their loss. Or who may be seeking comfort and healing.

“Grief, like a wave, has a rhythm of it’s own.  At first, it comes sweeping in, then it recedes, leaving us in quiet peace with the treasures of memory, love, and strength…”

Are you dreading your pets coming transition and need help determining whether an animal is ready to pass over and how you can ease the pain and suffering?

Or are you grieving your pet who has crossed over and want help reconnecting with them?

I can help!  Please click here to sign up for a session to get more understanding

Photo by Pete Johnson from Pexels

If you found this show helpful you may also enjoy this Blog Post;

Coping with pet loss & a greater understanding of death, dying & transitions

The post Coping with Loss – Chris Davis on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™ appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://www.valheart.com/coping-with-loss-chris-davis-on-the-real-dr-doolittle-show/

How to Keep Your Cat Healthy

Having at least one cat in the household keeps everyone entertained with their soft fur, playful antics and purring confirming their happiness. When you are a proud cat owner, keeping your cat healthy ensures that they will be around this year and the next to share every day with you. Here are some ideas on how to keep your cat in the best health.

Cats with Sensitive Stomachs

Some cats are picky eaters. However, this can sometimes be due to the fact that they dislike getting an upset stomach every time they eat. There is some good sensitive cat food available from retailers such as Nature’s Menu – much of it free range and well balanced – to deal with the problem. Varieties of healthy food include those with tuna, turkey, duck, chicken, and high protein versions too.

Avoid feeding your cat too much dry food in their diet. It can often contain an excessive amount of carbohydrates that will make them put on weight in an unhealthy way. With overeating, cats can develop Type II Diabetes in just the same way that humans do. Also, bear in mind that unlike with dogs, cats cannot be vegetarians; nor can they handle a carbohydrate-heavy diet plan.

Brush Their Fur to Reduce Malting

Brushing your cat’s fur to remove loose hair is an excellent way to promote their grooming. When it feels like their fur is taking over your home, this is one way to combat it. It keeps their loose fur in the brush and not all over the sofa and everywhere else.

Not every cat will instantly love the idea of getting brushed, however. Lay the brush down on the floor to stop it being a threat and let them sniff it to get comfortable with it. Slowly get them used to the idea that they will receive a treat or an early meal when they let you brush their coat. Eventually, they’ll understand the association and go with it. Your vacuum will thank you, too.

Play Games with Your Cat

Even for a cat that isn’t overly playful, they can usually be tempted by a long piece of string, a ball or another cat toy. That’s especially true if they contain catnip, even if they can only smell it but can’t quite get at it.

Playing with your cat is not only fun, but it brings the two of you closer together. You get down to their level and have fun with them. They need some regular daily exercise just like dogs and humans too. This avoids them putting on weight, keeps their heart in good condition and helps their joints stay flexible to jump on chairs or climb up trees.

Helping your favourite four-legged companion to stay healthy and live a long life is the responsibility of the owner. While cats take care of themselves pretty well, there is always more that their owner can do to promote better health. That way, they can be an enjoyable presence around the home for years to come.

 

Ever need to tell your kitty something important but you don’t know how to convey the message?  

Start here! Get your free ebook so you can have a stronger bond & improve your relationship with your pet!

The post How to Keep Your Cat Healthy appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://www.valheart.com/how-to-keep-your-cat-healthy/