Canine Chronic Kidney Disease: Retrospective Study of a 10-Year Period of Clinical Activity

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, pathological disease with a higher prevalence in geriatric patients. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of dogs affected by CKD at the Department of Veterinary Clinics over a 10-year period of clinical activity, according to gender, age, breed, and IRIS stage. Males showed a prevalence of 60.17%, while females showed a prevalence of 39.82%; 28.40% of dogs were younger than 6 years, 42.12% were between 6 and 10 years, and 29.46% were older than 10 years. Mixed breed patients showed a prevalence of 31.38%, followed by Boxer (9.36%), German shepherd (7.76%), and setter (5.42%). The prevalence of CKD was 24.25% in IRIS 2, 52.97% in IRIS 3, and 22.76 in IRIS 4. The results showed that CKD represents a more frequent reason for consultation in canine patients than in the past. It is not clear whether the high prevalence of CKD is due to an actual increase in the disease or an increased frequency of early diagnosis.