When pets die of kidney disease, it is a gruesome death regardless of how strongly we veterinarians try to intervene. With kidney disease, wastes are not cleared from the pet’s body and they accumulate in the blood and are flushed out onto the skin. This causes intense itching, and the skin has the odor of urine. Just as the skin is flooded with wastes, the brain is flooded with wastes, and pets become confused. Most are weak and disoriented so they urinate where they lay. Without nursing care, they die in pain, in puddles of their own waste.
Unfortunately, kidney disease is not rare. In fact, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the number one genetic cause of death in cats. About 40% of Persian cats worldwide have PKD. Dogs also die from PKD, and terriers, including Bull Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and Westies, are especially vulnerable.
Humans are equally afflicted with PKD. PKD is more common than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Huntington's disease or sickle cell anemia. PKD is twice as common as multiple sclerosis. PKD is actually the most common of all life-threatening human genetic diseases.
In our area, there is a walk organized to support PKD research on Sunday, April 29th, 2007. This is the Faske Family Walk for PKD. The walk is at TY Park, 3300 N Park Road, Hollywood, FL. For information, call 954 816 8269. By participating in the walk, we will be taking steps toward eradicating kidney disease and improving the lives of cats, dogs, and humans. Come join us, or join a walk in your area. You’ll find one through the national PKD Foundation.
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