kidney failure

wvhunter · Post by **wvhunter** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:08 am

how do or can you prevent kidney failure?

show dog · Post by **show dog** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:15 am

Some basics to have good canine health- maintain a proper weight (not too fat or too thin), exercise and the best diet you can afford. Be careful with use of medicines including flea and worm products and vaccines. Whole foods seem to be better for humans so why not for dogs too? Try living on Lean Cuisine or McDonalds for your whole life and see what your kidneys and liver do!!! Carolyn

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:03 pm

First off, feed a food that does NOT contain "Meat and Bone Meal". This particular ingredient has a very high ash (mineral) content which can cause renal dysfunction. Ensure that your dogs get PLENTY of fresh, clean water DAILY! This not only keeps the dogs urine "cycled" but also helps with the pH and concentrations, not to mention keeps the bacteria at bay that can cause urinary tract infections that can lead to struvite crystals and high pH levels. Avoid high calcium intake in the diet! Excess calcium can cause hypercalciurea (too much calcium in the urine). This can tax the kidneys and cause renal failure from calcium deposits (kidney stones) that permenantly damage the kidneys.

Here is a link that should help!

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... 130600.htm