How do my pet's kidneys work?
Balls of tiny capillaries called glomeruli filter waste products from the blood, then the waste fluid passes through a series of tubules that reabsorb water and salt that is needed by the body.  The remaining fluid (called urine) passes from the kidneys to the bladder via tubes called ureters.

What causes kidney disease in pets?
Chronic renal disease often develops gradually as the kidneys become less efficient with age, but it can also develop secondary to other diseases (eg, cancer or diabetes).  Kidney disease can also develop rapidly because of poisons, toxins, or infections.

What is the difference between renal insufficiency and renal failure?
Renal insufficiency is when the amount of urine increases to make up for decreased efficiency at removing waste products.  Renal failure is a severe form or renal insufficiency that is associated with other signs of illness.

How is kidney disease in pets diagnosed?
Your veterinarian can diagnose kidney disease using a combination of blood and urine tests. 

How is kidney disease in pets treated?
Kidney disease is treated with fluids and medications that increase the flow of urine.  Your vet may also prescribe a special protein-restricted diet so that the kidneys do not have to work as hard at eliminating waste products from the blood. 

***Credit: Written and reviewed by John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD and Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS ***

Oral tumors are common in dogs and cats and range from benign masses such as viral papillomas to very aggressive malignant tumors. Malignant oral tumors frequently recur and spread to other parts of the body, even with aggressive therapy.

Benign papillomas are pink swellings on the gums or other parts of the mouth and have a "wart-like" appearance. Most malignant tumors appear as swellings on the gums that often ulcerate, bleed, and become infected. Other common signs include drooling, bad breath, tooth loss, and facial swelling. Many pets have difficulty chewing, swallowing, and eating. Nearby lymph nodes may be swollen and painful. Tumors in the back of the throat are particularly painful and can prevent swallowing.

X-rays and CT scans may be useful in detecting whether tumors have invaded the bones and in guiding surgery. Loss of bone next to the tumor usually indicates malignancy, but a biopsy is needed to confirm the specific type of tumor.

Benign viral papillomas usually regress on their own without therapy. Most other oral tumors are treated by surgical removal. Malignant tumors are often difficult to remove completely, and large pieces of the jaw bone may need to be removed. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other more specialized treatments may be useful. Surgery usually improves survival time if there is no evidence that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or lungs.