Cucumber for Dogs
What is CKD Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is defined as kidney disease that has been present for months to years. Chronic renal disease (CRD), chronic renal failure (CRF), and chronic renal insufficiency refer to the same condition.
CKD is not a single disease. There are many different causes of CKD but by the time the animal shows signs of kidney disease the cause may no longer be apparent. Some potential causes of CRF include:
- congenital malformation of the kidneys (birth defects)
- chronic bacterial infection of the kidneys with or without kidney stones (pyelonephritis)
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- diseases associated with the immune system (e.g. glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus))
- acute kidney disease, for example poisoning with antifreeze, that damages the kidneys can lead to CKD
One of the things we deal with CKD with our own dog is overall weakness from low blood potassium.