Problems in Maintenance of Chronic Bilaterally Nephrectomized Dog

Abstract

After bilateral nephrectomy, 15 dogs were maintained on a low-salt diet by intermittent perit. dialysis for 5-111 days. Special problems concerned in maintaining such animals are discussed. Dehydration, especially during the 1st wk., must be prevented if the dogs are to survive. Three consecutive 2-hr. dialyses beginning early in the morning are preferred for the 1st wk.; 2 daily dialyses are given subsequently. Animals so treated will live for a mo. or longer without any marked abnormality in plasma electrolytes or blood vol. Plasma nonprotein N and creatinine remain high but do not interfere with extended survival and general well-being. All dogs developed anemia and those living a wk. or longer developed hypertension. Vomiting can be prevented by feeding one-half the synthetic diet at least 2 hrs. after completion of dialyses and the other half 4-5 hrs. later. Transfusions of cells suspended in saline soln. must be given every 10 days to 2 wks. to counteract the anemia that develops. The extensive gastrointestinal bleeding, congestion, and enteritis reported by others was not seen in most of these animals. The progress of a dog living for 111 days is descr. in detail.