“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”
—Roger Caras, former President ASPCA

“A meow massages the heart.”
—Stuart McMillan

Kidney disease

Definition

Kidneys filter and remove waste material from the blood stream. They also regulate the volume and composition of your pet’s body fluids.

Kidney disease may have many different causes, including inherited defects, infections, or toxic substances. Often the cause of kidney disease cannot be determined, but with careful testing by your veterinarian, the disease can be managed. Most treatments are aimed at decreasing the workload of the kidneys, reducing the severity of symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.

Kidney disease is not limited to any particular age or breed, but is one of the most common problems of older cats and dogs and is a leading cause of death for these animals.

Symptoms

If kidney disease destroys the kidney’s ability to perform properly, waste materials accumulate in the blood. Signs associated with kidney failure are:
• Loss of appetite
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination or increased volume
• Poor hair coat
• Depression and/or vomiting

These signs may appear suddenly or develop over time. They may also be produced by other diseases.

How using ThePetCheckup regularly can help

Early detection is extremely important, as if left untreated, kidney disease may develop into kidney failure, or irreversible damage.

Outward signs and recognition are not evident until more than 2/3 of the total kidney function is lost. Kidney damage is usually progressive. Any measure that helps prevent the disease, delays the age of occurrence, and/or slows the progression of the disease will help your animal live longer.

Used in addition to routine veterinary care, ThePetCheckup is an at-home, easy to use urinalysis health screen that enables you to catch potential problems at an early stage—even before your animal is showing any symptoms of illness. When used regularly (we recommend monthly) you can now give your beloved dog or cat a whole new level of preventative care.