Staging of chronic kidney disease in dogs

Abstract

Kidney diseases are very common in small animal medicine. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high death rate among dogs. Initial clinical signs are absent or minimal, making diagnosis difficult, and delaying treatment. An appropriate clinical examination, and laboratory and imaging tests should be carried out to detect early renal alterations. When CKD is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, clinical signs are already present and life expectancy is reduced. To classify the severity of the process, the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) classifies the patient with chronic kidney disease into four stages, progressing according to the increase in serum creatinine and symmetrical dimethyl arginine (SDMA). In addition, IRIS also has two sub-stages that determine greater potential for progression, based on proteinuria and systemic blood pressure (SBP). If altered, the sub-stages can also be interpreted as staging, since the alteration present already classifies it as stage 1. Once the patient has CKD, staging is carried out and monitored, with the aim of stabilizing the patient, slowing down progression and increasing their quality of life.