Dogs diagnosed with less severe chronic renal failure may be treated at home with medications and dietary changes. A veterinarian usually will prescribe a prescription dog food, which has lower levels of protein, phosphorous, and sodium than regular food and hence reduces the workload on the kidneys. Dogs with chronic renal failure should have fresh water available to them at all times. Medications may be prescribed in order to control nausea, inappetence, mineral and electrolyte imbalances, hormonal deficiencies, and high blood pressure.
Dogs diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic renal failure may require subcutaneous fluid therapy, along with follow-up monitoring by a veterinarian on a regular basis. The frequency of these visits will depend on the severity of the dog's disease and its response to treatment.
Dogs with severe chronic renal failure will require treatment in a hospital with intravenous fluids, nutritional support, and medications. Laboratory values are monitored for indications of improvement during the hospitalization.
Complications associated with chronic renal failure include uremic stomatitis, or ulcer formation in the mouth; gastroenteritis, or inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and intestines; anemia, or a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells; urinary tract infections; and systemic hypertension, or high blood pressure. The combination of chronic renal failure and hypertension may lead to acute blindness.
