Eventually, some of the substances supposed to be removed from the blood by the kidneys begin to build up. These increases can be measured by routine blood analysis. High BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus levels can cause a loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. This occurs in many dogs with renal dysplasia between the ages of 1 and 3 years. Renal dysplasia is not a curable disease, and is ultimately fatal in severely affected dogs.
Treatment is limited to controlling the signs of the chronic renal failure.
We attempt to do this by using drugs to combat the anemia, anorexia, and dehydration associated with chronic renal failure. For years we have believed that a diet low in protein was beneficial to patients with chronic renal failure. Current research suggests that restriction of dietary phosphorous may be more important that protein in the management of the condition. Because it is an inherited, incurable, and often fatal disease, renal dysplasia must be combated at the breeder level. Responsible breeders of these breeds must screen their breeding animals for the disease, and remove carrier animals from their breeding programs.