Page 9 - Hobe Sound Reflections - April '25

Hobe Sound, Page 9

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Kidney Disease anemia can develop, blood pressure problems may occur, Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
and urine concentration decreases. Decreases in urine for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
concentration is an early sign of kidney insufficiency. surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
Clinical signs of chronic kidney insufficiency can medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
be vague and may mimic other diseases. The most Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
common symptoms usually noted are increased thirst medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
and increased urination with other symptoms including owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and poor hair www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
coat. These symptoms may be slowly progressive, and, Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
if mild, may go unnoticed by a pet owner. Lab work may
reveal abnormalities before obvious clinical signs are
evident, which may allow treatment to be initiated sooner
and provide the best quality of life for the pet.
Several treatment options can be utilized to help
Chronic kidney insufficiency is one of the most pets with chronic kidney insufficiency maintain a good
common diseases affecting older pets, especially cats. quality of life. Special prescription diets are a primary
Many causes exist for chronic kidney insufficiency, with means to help maintain appropriate protein levels, certain
age-related kidney deterioration being one of the more electrolyte levels, and a better longer quality of life.
common causes. Chronic kidney insufficiency indicates These diets are available through veterinarians. Another
that a condition called azotemia has been present for treatment option is fluid therapy, either subcutaneous
months or years. When azotemia is present, toxins have fluids or intravenous fluids. Subcutaneous fluids, which
accumulated in the bloodstream, and lab work will indicate are placed under a pet’s skin, can be used at home or in
abnormalities. Approximately 70 percent of kidney the clinic to help maintain hydration; subcutaneous fluids
function must be lost before lab work abnormalities can be utilized long-term to help with quality of life.
are noted. Azotemia does not necessarily mean a pet is Some pets will benefit from subcutaneous fluids up to
experiencing a reduced quality of life, but with uremia the several times a week, while others may need fluids less
patient is exhibiting clinical signs of kidney disease and often. Intravenous fluids are usually reserved for pets
may be reducing their quality of life. The goal in treatment who need more aggressive fluid therapy. Some pets with
of chronic kidney insufficiency is to prevent, postpone, chronic kidney insufficiency may have blood pressure
or resolve uremia, to ensure the pet experiences the best issues, and these pets may benefit from blood pressure
possible quality of life. Azotemia associated with chronic medications. Depending on the chronicity and severity
kidney insufficiency may not be reversible. of kidney insufficiency, pets can experience anemia. If
The kidneys perform several important functions: this occurs, medication may be needed to help correct the
1.) Filtering waste products, primarily urea and creatinine. anemia.
2.) Regulating electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, Chronic kidney insufficiency is a common disease
phosphorus, and calcium. in older animals; however, pets can live with a good
3.) Producing erythropoietin, which helps stimulate the quality of life for many years after diagnosis with proper
bone marrow to produce red blood cells. management. Annual lab work may reveal indications
4.) Producing renin, which helps control blood pressure. of chronic kidney insufficiency well before a pet shows
5.) Producing and concentrating urine. clinical signs. Please check with your veterinarian to see
When kidney function begins to decline, waste products if your pet is due for his or her lab work.
accumulate in the blood, electrolyte imbalances occur, Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical

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