Archives

Kidney disease refers to the inability of the kidneys to work properly. Kidneys perform several key functions in the body, the most important of which is filtering waste products from the blood. Kidneys also maintain the balance of electrolyte levels in the body (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), maintain blood pressure, and produce urine. Damage to the kidneys can result in the buildup of waste products to dangerous levels in the blood, also known as azotemia. There are two main types of kidney disease – acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Acute kidney injury was formerly called acute renal failure (ARF) and refers to sudden damage to the kidneys causing a dysfunction. AKI often lasts only for a short period of time and can even disappear completely once the underlying cause is treated. However, pets that have been diagnosed with AKI are at risk of developing permanent damage to their kidneys which can lead to CKD.

A fever is an abnormally high body temperature. A normal body temperature for a cat or dog is between 100 and 102.5°F (37.8 to 39.2°). A cat or dog is considered to have a true fever if their body temperature ranges from 103 to 106°F (39.5 to 41.1°C). When to see a veterinarian: If your pet has a temperature between 102.5 to 104.5°F (39.2 to 40.3°C), consult your veterinarian. For temperatures above 104.5°F (40.3°C), seek immediate veterinary attention.

The medical term for blood appearing in urine is called hematuria. While there are many possible causes for the presence of blood in your pet’s urine, it is often due to the inflammation or infection of the urinary system. The urinary system consists of an upper and lower tract – the upper urinary tract contains the kidneys and ureters (tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder) while the lower urinary tract contains the bladder, urethra, prostate (males), and vagina (females). The diagnosis and treatment for hematuria will depend on the location of the bleeding.

Any abnormal change in your pet’s eating habits should never be ignored. The medical term for a loss in appetite is called anorexia (not to be confused with the human eating disorder called anorexia nervosa). It can be normal for a picky cat or dog to skip a meal or two so long as they are acting normally otherwise. If the change in appetite is sudden or accompanied by other clinical signs, this can indicate a medical problem.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is found in everything from chewing gum to peanut butter to ice cream to toothpaste. It’s often listed under other names, including birch sugar, birch extract, or wood sugar. While considered safe for humans, xylitol is highly poisonous to dogs. If a dog consumes xylitol, blood sugar can drop dangerously low, resulting in seizures, liver failure, and even death.