Uremia is intoxication, during which the excretory system of the animal is unable to remove metabolic products, in particular, nitrogen metabolism. If you translate the term literally, you get "urine in the blood."
Uremia is divided into two types. It can be acute or chronic. Acute develops with lightning speed, acute renal failure resulting from trauma, burns, intoxication or urinary retention leads to it. Chronic uremia develops gradually and can take a long time. It depends on how long chronic renal failure will develop due to pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, diabetes mellitus, congenital anatomical abnormalities, intoxication and neoplasms. Symptoms of uremia may include vomiting, refusal to eat, weight loss, depression, odor of urea from the mouth, or lack of urination.
Diagnosis of uremia
1) Biochemical and general blood tests. With their help, you can assess the levels of creatinine, urea, phosphorus, identify changes in the electrolyte composition, and also identify the presence of inflammation and anemia.
2) ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. With its help, it is possible to assess the anatomical structure of the kidneys, to identify whether there are or are absent suspensions and calculi in the bladder, whether the ureters and urethra are dilated.
3) X-ray of the abdomen to visualize radiopaque stones in the kidney, urethra, or bladder. Chronic renal failure is usually found in older animals. Young patients are faced with uremia due to acute urinary retention or due to inherited pathologies - amyloidosis, polycystic kidney disease.
Effects of uremia on the animal body
Chronic renal failure changes the structure of the kidneys gradually. Some nephrons stop working, intoxication (uremia) accumulates gradually. Due to the absence of symptoms, the changes can be overlooked. The more nephrons die off, the more pronounced the symptoms are: thirst and frequent urination, uremic gastritis and sometimes stomatitis. Often, owners seek help too late, when most of the working nephrons die off.
The higher the level of intoxication, the greater the likelihood of developing secondary pathologies. These are non-regenerative anemia, electrolyte and endocrinological disorders, cardiological and neurological problems. The worst consequence is uremic coma.
Treatment of uremia and chronic renal failure
Treatment begins with intravenous drips to correct electrolyte balance and combat dehydration. Treatment is accompanied by tests, including laboratory monitoring of blood gases. Meals are prescribed dietary with a low protein content. Prescribed drugs include drugs that lower levels of urea and phosphorus, as well as antihypertensive drugs and drugs aimed at treating and preventing anemia.
Disease prevention
A blood test to detect both renal failure and the early stage of uremia is recommended to be taken periodically, when the animal reaches 6-7 years of age.
What to do with acute urinary retention
The consequence of urolithiasis, prostatitis, trauma, cystitis and bladder atony can be acute urinary retention. It is easy to determine it - the abdomen is enlarged, there is no urination or the urge to urinate is unproductive, vomiting appears, the animal refuses to eat. In this case, emergency specialist help is required, aimed at restoring the outflow of urine with the correction of electrolyte disturbances using intravenous fluids. All this takes place under the control of analyzes and ultrasound.
Uremia is a serious condition. It requires immediate diagnosis and medical intervention. Identified in the early stages, it will not harm the pet.
