Renal Diseases
Azotemia
Azotemia is defined as the presence of nitrogen containing substances such as
and
in the blood due to renal dysfunction.
Both of these metabolic wastes are normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and are excreted from the body in urine. If there is either of these substances in the blood it indicates that there some dysfunction in the renal system.
1. : A reduction in blood flow to the kidneys caused by some dysfunction in the cardiovascular system will cause a buildup of urea and creatinine in the blood as the blood is not reaching the kidneys to have these substances removed from circulation.
2.
:Glomular disease or
can depress the rate of metabolic
waste removal causing the build up of these molecules in the blood.
3. may also cause metabolic wastes to be present in the blood as urine must be produced and excreted for tubular filtration of the blood to occur. : A failure in Dysfunction of the kidneys causes a reduction in the filtration of metabolic wastes from the blood into the tubules for excretion. This is usually progressive as the body continues to produce metabolic wastes which “build-up” in the blood. Horses suffering from chronic renal disease, dehydration or exertional rhabdomyolysis are at higher risk of developing azotemia as these conditions depress renal function. The clinical presentation of azotemia depends on what type they have, pre, renal or post. Signs & symptoms can include anorexia, weight loss, edema, dysuria, polyuria and polydipsia. Diagnosis is made through urinalysis and blood analysis that reveals the presence of metabolic wastes in the blood and low concentrations of those wastes in the urine.
Treatment includes the correction of the underlying cause and supportive care such as IV fluids.
Prognosis is guarded as metabolic wastes may damage other organs and structures.
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