True stories: beloved pets were suggested to be put to sleep. They were given hemodialysis for their second birthday.

A pet that seemed completely healthy and active can change within a few hours – becoming lethargic, losing its appetite, with an apathetic look in its eyes. Kidney disorders and cases of acute kidney failure, triggered not only by babesiosis but also by other causes such as toxin poisoning or blood contamination, are common and can be fatal. Which symptoms are dangerous, and how does treatment for kidney disorders change when hemodialysis is performed?

They had already suggested putting the beloved pet to sleep, but the owners did not give in

Kristina will remember last spring not only because of the worldwide chaos caused by the quarantine. At that time, walking in nature with her puppies was one of her favorite ways to relax, but her calm was quickly turned upside down by the health of her Akita Inu puppy. “My husband and I noticed that the puppy’s appetite had worsened, and by nightfall his condition became even worse – he was trying to run strangely and whimpering, and his gums were pale. We realized we couldn’t wait any longer and rushed to the veterinary clinic,” Kristina recalls the anxious night.

Upon arriving at the veterinary clinic, tests were performed on the pet, babesiosis was diagnosed, medications were administered, and treatment at home was prescribed. However, the pet’s condition worsened. Kristina decided to consult with a veterinarian at another clinic, where tests were conducted again, medications were prescribed, and eventually she says she was offered the option to stop prolonging the animal’s suffering and simply put it to sleep or to go to another clinic where a hemodialysis procedure could be performed. “The thought of euthanasia never crossed my mind. Although it was the Easter period, we were admitted immediately, tests were done. The puppy, a ‘Miniature Schnauzer,’ was scheduled for three hemodialysis sessions at the clinic, and after these, its health began to improve immediately,” Kristina recalls with tears.

According to the interviewee, at that time, it was extremely important for her and her husband to receive support and optimistic predictions. Today, the health of their dog, who will soon turn eight, is excellent. “If you treat your pet as a member of the family, you shouldn’t give up, just look for ways to cure them,” says Kristina.

A similar situation was faced by Scottish Terrier owners Dainius and Eligija. When they went to the countryside and spent time there, their dog suddenly changed – it became sluggish and apathetic, and moreover, a tick had recently attached itself. So Dainius called a friend who works at a veterinary clinic for advice. After receiving a recommendation to take the animal to Kaunas as soon as possible because the situation was serious, they didn’t wait and went to the clinic. “They started IV drips, but it didn’t help. Eventually, the only solution was a hemodialysis procedure. Four hemodialysis procedures were needed, but those were exactly what saved our beloved pet,” says Dainius.

It’s important to know: when to rush to the veterinarian and what treatment options are available?

Babesiosis is a very insidious disease. In some cases, treatment with medication may be sufficient, but if the disease becomes complicated and help is not provided in time, it can be fatal. “After a tick bite, symptoms usually appear after a week. The pet develops a high fever, becomes lethargic, and experiences difficulty breathing. The disease can also be recognized by changed urine color – dark brown – which are signals that the animal requires urgent care,” says Vytautas Siaurys, founder of the veterinary clinic “Siauris Schnauzer” and a veterinary doctor.

During babesiosis, the pathogens multiply in erythrocytes, destroy them, cause inflammation, and hemolysis occurs. Hemoglobin begins to be released, it enters the kidneys, which is why the urine darkens. If the kidney tubules become blocked, the kidneys can no longer perform their essential functions. Predicting and preventing complications is difficult. If prompt medical assistance is not provided, the disease ends in death. According to V. Siauris, the most sensitive breeds with an increased likelihood of complications are: Akita Inu, West Siberian Laika, Siberian Huskies, and Scottish Terriers. Mixed breeds tend to be more resilient.

According to veterinarian V. Siauris, every fifth pet that contracts babesiosis develops complications. In cases of acute illness, kidney failure occurs in 80-90% of animals, and life can only be saved through hemodialysis. In the past, when this procedure was not available, babesiosis complications in animals were a death sentence, as they irreversibly damage the kidneys.

Hemodialysis is used in veterinary medicine and is a progressive treatment in cases of acute kidney inflammation, when the kidneys temporarily fail to function. Hemodialysis helps restore kidney function by cleaning the blood.

“It must be acknowledged that veterinary hemodialysis is much more complex than human hemodialysis because the pet requires not only hemodialysis but also general anesthesia during the procedure. Technically it is challenging, but very effective. Of course, the animal’s body must gradually adapt; initially, the procedure lasts half an hour, and then, based on the results, it is extended. Hemodialysis is only performed when there is no other way to save the pet,” commented V. Siaurys.

According to V. Siaurys, there is no need to fear hemodialysis, although this procedure is only just beginning to be used in Lithuania, in other countries it has already been the most effective way to save pets’ lives for several years. The interlocutor has no doubt that in the future this procedure will be used much more frequently in Lithuania, if we want to not just simulate treatment, but treat pets progressively.