Kidney Infections in Dogs
Kidney Infections in Dogs
Have you ever taken a urine sample from your dog? Ever take his/her temperature? Monitor his/her urinary habits? Maybe you should, it could mean he state of their kidneys, perhaps even the state of their life. A dog’s kidneys remove waste and absorb nutrients, kind of like a filter. While balancing electrolyte levels, the kidneys maintain red blood cell production. The kidney infections can be caused by an inconsistent diet, a congenital disease, or contaminated water. Make sure that your dog maintains a strict diet, gets regular check ups, and wash out your dog’s water bowl everyday. In order to maintain a healthy system within your dogs body, you must follow several of the following tips.
1. Location: First and foremost you must know the location of your dog’s kidneys. Each dog has two kidney bean shaped kidneys on either side of their spine. Keep an out for any potential swelling, abrasions, or lesions in that specific area.
2. Urine Samples: Once every two months obtain a urine sample from you dog. Take this sample and have you local veterinary run tests for the correct nutrients, anti bodies, and the hopefully non existent infections. If you know how to take a sample, make sure you place it in a cool, dry, container.
3. Belly Test: If your dog has any sort of kidney infection he/she will feel immense pain around the area of his/her lower stomach. In order to test this, one must lightly massage the lower stomach area, and note any flinching or slight irritation in the dogs demeanor.
4. Sick Dog: Keep a close eye on your dog if he/she has vomited. Although it could have only been the result of a faulty food, a choke, or eating to quickly, it could also be the result a kidney infection. If this action of vomit becomes constant, your dog could suffer from dehydration, making him/her more likely to suffer an infection.
5. Temperature: In a average week you should take your dogs temperature once a week. If not know how to take your dog’s temperature or what it should be, consult your local veterinarian. A normal temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees. If you happen to take the temperature through the ear instead of the rectum, the temperature should range from 100.0 and 103.0.
6. Water Intake: If your dog has an abnormal increase in their appetite for water, it could be a sign of dehydration. When a dog dehydrates, it has lost the ability to maintain nutrients and flush out germs, rendering it open to infections.
7. Monitor Habits: The greatest sign a dog gives off during a kidney infection is constant urination. Monitor your dog’s urinary habits. If your dog happens to suffer from an infection, he/she will only urinate a bit and strain to do so.