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World-leading animal hospital launches canine kidney recovery unit
Grateful owners hail work of dedicated vet medics who saved beloved Cavapoo
A specialist unit for dogs recovering from kidney problems has been launched at a world-leading animal hospital in Hertfordshire.
The Renal Recovery Clinic is based at the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) and is dedicated to follow-up care for canine companions recovering from acute kidney injury (AKI).
An RVC spokesperson said the service provides comprehensive monitoring and expert advice from vets during the crucial months after an AKI diagnosis, which can leave pets at risk of complications such as hypertension, even after treatment.
Recovery can take up to three months.
The spokesperson said the RVC is the only centre in the UK offering both comprehensive medical management of AKI and access to renal replacement therapies such as haemodialysis.
Access is via vet referral.
Among the dogs to benefit from the Renal Recovery Clinic, which has been open for less than two months, is Nala, a four-year-old Cavapoo, from East Sussex, whose life was saved by the RVC and who continues to be monitored thanks to its services.
Relieved owners Holly and Henry Webb, in a joint comment welcoming the renal unit's launch, said: "Two years ago, we nearly lost our little dog Nala, but the Royal Veterinary College saved her life and we couldn’t be more grateful.
"To have the opportunity to return for the Renal Recovery Clinic and benefit from the support of the phenomenal vets who kept an eye on her kidney health has been a big reassurance for us as her owners.
"We will continue to track her perfect progress with the help of the wonderful team at RVC and are so delighted that our Nala is able to continue living life to her fullest."
Dr Laura Cole, an RVC lecturer in emergency and critical care, said: "We see many dogs at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals who present to our emergency service with acute kidney injury (AKI).
"Dogs with AKI often have intensive support and treatment, but for a long time, being discharged from hospital was seen as the endpoint in this journey.
"But actually, we know that the full recovery period can take many months and that ongoing care is needed, for example, management of concurrent issues, such as hypertension and proteinuria, decision making around optimal nutrition and also monitoring for long-term consequences such as chronic kidney disease."
Professor Rosanne Jepson, who specialises in small animal nephrology and internal medicine at the RVC, said: "The RVC’s new AKI Renal Recovery Clinic gives us an opportunity to provide this expanded level of care, to monitor response to treatments after AKI and for us to better understand how we can optimise recovery.
"We hope that clients who are keen to attend this clinic will be willing to also participate in a study so that we can keep in touch with owners and dogs that have been treated for AKI, monitoring their clinical response and also quality of life, so that in the future we can better understand and continually give the very best care in this important recovery period."
Owners attending the new clinic also take part in research into the long-term health of dogs who have suffered AKI, with a view to improving future care and recovery.
