Daisy’s family suspected something was amiss when the seven-year-old Beagle began drinking water every half an hour. Her breath smelled terrible. After an exam, the vet diagnosed the dog as suffering from hydronephrosis.
What is hydronephrosis?
According to PetPlace.com, hydronephrosis is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in a dog’s kidney. This causes distension and outpouching of parts of the organ. As urine builds up due to an obstruction of the ureter, the dog can start passing bloody urine.
The condition can be the result of anything that manages to block the dog’s ureters, such as narrowing, scarring or cancer. Stones in the urinary tract, enlargement of the prostate and mistakenly tying off the ureter during surgery are all potential causes. Other reasons for hydronephrosis include masses in the area around the kidneys as well as in the area of the bladder where the ureters empty.
Symptoms
PetMD.com suggests that many dogs show no obvious symptoms of this condition. In others, owners might notice anorexia, restlessness, excessive thirst, diarrhea or excessive urination. Some dogs have noticeable blood in their urine, show the signs of uremia and have foul breath.
Vomiting, mouth sores, abdominal or lower back pain and distention of the abdomen are all common.
Diagnosis
Before performing a physical exam, a vet will want to get as much information as possible from the owner about the dog’s recent activities. The standard lab tests to help make a diagnosis are a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and urinalysis to rule out other conditions.
Vets also rely on abdominal X-rays and ultrasound. They’re able to use a small camera to look at the inside of the dog’s vagina or the urethra (the two tubes that drain fluid from the kidneys to the dog’s bladder).
Treatment
Once the vet suspects canine hydronephrosis, the dog is usually treated on an inpatient basis. This includes supportive care like fluids and antibiotics while completing testing. If the dog shows signs of really excessive thirst, the vet will adjust IV fluid levels to compensate and make the pet more comfortable. Depending on the circumstances, some pets are able to receive outpatient instead of inpatient treatment, however.
If the dog has signs of kidney failure, modification of his or her diet is important. Based on the results of lab tests, the vet might prescribe antibiotics.
While most dogs don’t require surgery, for some, it’s the only effective treatment. This could mean removing the affected kidney and ureter.
Vets normally use shock wave therapy to break up any kidney stones. For some dogs, this can be an alternative to surgery. Sometimes inserting hollow plastic tubes between the kidney and bladder holds the ureter open so that it can drain.
Treatment decisions must take into consideration causes such as disease and how they are being medically or surgically handled.
Home care
Once the dog’s obstruction has been medically or surgically resolved, the treating veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments every two to four weeks. Blood work during these appointments will be necessary to show the dog is maintaining normal nitrogen and blood creatinine levels.
The vet will also want to discuss how the dog is adapting to any dietary modifications to prevent the development of future stones and additional episodes of hydronephrosis.
