Kidney disease is defined as ANY destructive process within the kidney. Your pet’s kidneys filter and remove waste materials from the blood stream. The kidneys also regulate the volume and composition of your pet’s body fluids. Kidney disease can strike old or young, dog or cat, and any breed. It is, however; the most common medical problem of our geriatric pets and the leading cause of death among this group.

The signs of kidney disease will not become evident with casual observation until more than two-thirds of your pet’s total kidney function has been lost. Once any amount of kidney damage has taken place, regeneration of kidney tissue will not occur. Kidney damage is usually progressive and the majority of all adult dogs and cats have some measure of kidney damage.

At Ojai Pet Hospital diagnosis of kidney disease is just the beginning. Ongoing management of the disease is the true key to success.