How can I reverse my dog s kidney disease naturally
Can You Reverse Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. Which one you have will determine whether its potentially reversible or not.
If you have kidney failure, it means your kidneys arent able to do important functions, such as filtering and removing excess fluid, salt, and waste from the bloodstream.
Typically, these toxins would go to the bladder to leave your body in your urine. But when the kidneys cant do their job efficiently or at all, these toxins build up in your body and can cause a host of life threatening issues.
Kidney failure can happen gradually from chronic kidney disease or suddenly, which is called acute kidney failure. While kidney damage cannot be undone, acute kidney failure often can be reversed.
Read on for more information about kidney failure and how to reverse it.
Healthy kidneys filter all the blood in the body every 30 minutes, according to the
Acute kidney failure is a sudden loss of all kidney function over a few hours or days and can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- septic shock
- dehydration
- loss of blood
- burns
- pregnancy complications
- a blockage in the urinary tract
- certain medications
Chronic kidney disease leads to chronic kidney failure and occurs over time as the kidneys become damaged. As the damage worsens, the kidneys slowly stop being able to filter out all these toxins from the blood, which leads to dangerous levels in the body. This
Acute kidney failure
In some cases, the kidneys will not recover, which will require dialysis indefinitely or a kidney transplant.
Chronic kidney failure cannot technically be reversed, but you can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease with medications and lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure and high blood glucose from diabetes are the
Other things that can help include:
- maintaining a moderate weight
- being more active
- eating a balanced diet lower in salt
- keeping cholesterol in a target range
- taking medications as directed
- quitting smoking, if you smoke
- getting regular checkups
Symptoms of kidney failure often develop slowly, so you may not notice any signs at first. According to the
- swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
- having little or no urine
- feeling sick to your stomach, not feeling hungry, and losing weight
- having muscle cramps or weakness
- getting headaches
- feeling itchy
- feeling tired but not sleeping well
- having pain, stiffness, or fluid in the joints
- feeling confused
The outlook for people with kidney failure will depend on several factors.
For those with acute kidney failure, recovery is determined by what caused the kidney failure in the first place. If the cause is reversible, its likely an individual will recover fully. Its also possible that people with acute kidney failure will only regain partial kidney function. All cases of acute kidney failure put the person at greater risk for chronic kidney disease in the future.
Chronic kidney failure is also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and theres a much higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease in this case. People with ESRD on dialysis are
That said, statistics dont tell the whole picture, and life expectancy depends on many individual health factors.
How do you deal with kidney failure?
This all depends on whether you have acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure. In both cases, you may need to be treated at the hospital and may need dialysis.
For people with chronic kidney failure, chronic dialysis usually takes place as an outpatient. Acute kidney failure may be reversed once the underlying cause is treated.
How long can you live with kidney failure?
Again, this depends on whether you have acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure. People with acute kidney failure may make a full recovery. For people with chronic kidney failure, life expectancy will depend on a number of individual health factors.
Can my kidneys repair themselves?
No, the kidneys cannot repair themselves if theres damage.
However, acute kidney failure can be reversed, depending on the cause. This means that once the underlying cause is treated, the kidneys may regain their ability to function.
Kidney damage cannot be reversed, but the progression of chronic kidney disease can be slowed with medications and lifestyle changes.
Acute kidney failure is reversible in some cases, but it depends on the underlying cause. Chronic kidney failure is not reversible, but chronic kidney disease can be treated and the progression slowed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Talk with your doctor if youre experiencing any symptoms of kidney disease or have high blood pressure or high blood sugar. These are the main causes of kidney disease and can be managed.
Kidney Disease in Dogs: How to Treat It Naturally
When Red was diagnosed with kidney issues, my first thought was how to treat kidney disease in dogs naturally.
Ive been interested in alternative treatments for myself and then later for my pets, for quite some time. Due to various circumstances I wasnt able to pursue that for my dogs until recently.
I finally got to a holistic vet 3 weeks ago, and Im excited about this new journey for Red. My vet, Dr. Ortega from VetYVet in Malaga, has replaced 2 medications with natural remedies. Shes on a lot of drugs so replacing/reducing will be a lengthy and gradual process.
Red has been on a prescription kidney diet for a couple of years now, but my new vet believes a homemade diet will be significantly better for her. When he first mentioned it I wasnt thrilled. I dont like to cook so having to do even more of it was not something I was looking forward to, but for Red I would do it. Thankfully he told me its freezable so last night I made a huge batch and well see how long it lasts. The good news is shes loving it. Its a recipe created specifically for Red, based on the results of comprehensive blood tests. It is made up of chicken, quinoa, brown rice, olive oil, cooked broccoli, raw apples and raw carrots.
A kinder, gentler, more natural approach
Whether your dog has just been diagnosed with kidney disease or been living with it for awhile, now is the perfect time to learn all you can about it so your dog receives the best possible care. Of course your trusted vet has sat down with you and explained the what, where and whys right? If youre not loving your vet, now is the time to find a great one.
There are the treatment options recommended by traditional vets that may include a prescription kidney diet and perhaps some medications. On the flip side there are the recommendations a holistic vet will make, and that leads me to this article called Kidney Failure In Dogs Natural Treatment Options.
In this very informative post, you will find treatment recommendations from several holistic vets I believe are worth considering. If you like what you read and are interested in learning more, I suggest you find a holistic vet and make an appointment for a chat. Dont think you have to make a choice between exclusively holistic or exclusively traditional. Find the things youre comfortable with and see if you can incorporate the two disciplines.
For example, you may feel more comfortable with a prescription kidney food or some medication, but you like the idea of acupuncture or adding some herbs to your dogs treatment plan. The vets I have met were comfortable with that, so if thats how you want to start, make sure your vet agrees as well.
Some practices have holistic vets on staff, while other vets practice both types of medicine. The best thing you can do for your dog is find a vet you like and trust, and is always ready to listen to your concerns.
Kidney disease in dogs conclusion
I know it can take time to get used to believing illnesses can often be treated as effectively with herbs and acupuncture for example, as with medication. If its an avenue youd like to explore, I hope this article has given you a helpful place to start. I find it comforting knowing, kidney disease in dogs can be managed naturally.
Do you have a holistic vet? Was there a particular incident that led you to seek alternative treatment? Have you been considering a more natural treatment plan for your dog? Id love to hear your story, and sharing helps others, so please tell us in the comment section below. In the case of a senior dog, you can leave a post on my Facebook page as well.
How to Address Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs Naturally
Chronic kidney disease is one of the top 10 reasons people take their dogs to the vet. Unlike acute kidney failure which is usually the result of one particular cause, such as urinary obstruction or ingesting a toxic or poisonous substance chronic kidney failure can take months or even years to show up. In fact, most dogs dont even show symptoms of chronic kidney failure until 70-75% of kidney function has been lost! Were going to take a deeper look at chronic kidney disease in dogs and how to support your pups health naturally.
Common symptoms of chronic kidney disease
If youre wondering if your dog has chronic kidney disease, there are some common symptoms to look out for:
If you see these symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet so they can do a blood test and urinalysis. In the event of a chronic kidney disease diagnosis, there are some things you can do to support their body so they can live as healthy a life as possible. Unfortunately, theres no known cure for chronic kidney disease.
Understanding the kidneys
To better understand your options in managing chronic kidney disease, its helpful to understand how the kidneys work. Kidneys are part of the bodys filtration system. They help filter the blood by getting rid of waste products and extra water. The waste products and extra water become urine.
The kidneys are capable of sifting out a huge amount of waste. However, if there are too many toxins in the body, they might not be able to filter all the toxins and other waste products out quickly enough. When this happens, the kidneys can get clogged. Eventually, if this keeps happening, the kidneys can become compromised and damaged as a result of being overworked. Usually, this results in chronic kidney failure.
Addressing kidney failure
So, what do you do if your dog has chronic kidney failure? First and foremost, its vital to reduce the toxins the kidneys have to deal with. To do this, make sure your dog doesnt encounter toxic substances. This includes over-the-counter flea and tick medications, conventional heartworm medications, pesticides, and herbicides, among others. Its also important to ensure your pet gets clean, pure water, and that they eat a species-appropriate raw food diet.
Dietary considerations
Most treatments for chronic kidney disease include dietary changes. For dogs, this means a raw, high-quality protein diet. By feeding your dog a diet that includes raw meat, bones, organs, and even glands, you ensure their bodies can easily absorb the nutrients in their food, and that they arent subjected to the toxins commonly found in kibble.
Sodium
Another benefit to feeding your dog a raw food diet is that its naturally low in sodium. This means your pets kidneys wont be taxed trying to filter out excess sodium they were never designed to handle. Unfortunately, many processed food diets are high in sodium, which can be detrimental to a dog with chronic kidney disease.
Phosphorus
If your dog has chronic kidney failure, its worth watching how much phosphorus they ingest. Offer meatier bones (i.e. poultry breasts and/or thighs) and avoid bones with less meat (i.e. poultry backs and/or wings) to dogs whose chronic kidney disease has progressed. You can feed eggshells instead of bone, and you might want to avoid beef or pork ribs.
Calcium
Calcium is especially important because it binds to phosphorus and therefore helps to remove excessive amounts of phosphorus from your dogs body. Fattier meats can also help reduce phosphorus levels, but make sure theyre fed raw, not cooked.
Magnesium
Providing magnesium can help dogs with kidney failure if theyre showing signs of depression, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Magnesium is present in lots of whole food sources, including chicken, rabbit, pork, turkey, goat, bison, beef, sardines, eggs, and more.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s help support the kidneys, which makes them especially important if your dog has chronic kidney disease. Fish such as whole, raw sardines and fish oil are great sources of omega-3s for your dog. Whereas, flax seed oil while high in omega-3s is really difficult for your dog to break down and assimilate. Stick to the species-appropriate food sources to avoid overtaxing your dogs digestive system and putting more strain on the kidneys.
Probiotics
Probiotics and digestive enzymes can be very beneficial to dogs with chronic kidney disease. Raw green tripe is packed with both digestive enzymes and probiotics, and the fact that its in whole-food form makes it a great choice. If you want to give your dog a probiotic/enzyme supplement, find one thats specifically formulated for dogs.
Exercise
In addition to dietary considerations, its important to make sure your dog is getting appropriate exercise to help keep their systems functioning as normally as possible. If your dog is very weak, try a short, slow, gentle walk. If theyre too weak to go for a walk, you can try holding them in your arms while very gently bouncing on a trampoline. The gentle movement can help flush out the circulatory system.
Water
Giving your dog clean, pure water is especially important if they have chronic kidney disease. Most tap water in America is loaded with toxins. Giving filtered water helps ensure your dog isnt adding to their toxin load every time they take a drink.
CoQ10 supplementation
Some researchers have found evidence that 1 milligram of CoQ10 per pound of body weight daily can help reduce creatinine levels. In a dog whose kidneys are functioning normally, creatinine (which is the waste product of creatine) is normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. However, when the kidneys are damaged, they can no longer sift out the creatinine effectively. Some small studies have shown that CoQ10 may help with that. As always, discuss the proper course of treatment with your veterinarian.
Supporting a dog with chronic kidney disease
While its true that, in general, damage done to the kidneys cant be reversed, there are lots of things you can do to support your dog and your dogs kidneys if they have chronic kidney disease. Of course, in addition to whats mentioned here, its a good idea to see a holistic veterinarian or a certified animal naturopath if your dog is diagnosed with chronic kidney failure.
