Introduction
- The renal cortex is particularly susceptible to toxins because it receives 90% of the renal blood flow and the tubular renal cells are exposed to high concentration of toxins due to renal excretion of toxins and reabsorption of water and other solutes.
- Early recognition is important to limit renal damage.
- Cause : Different toxins cause renal damage at different sites, but ultimately cause acute renal failure
. - Treatment : Emesis, gastric lavage, intravenous fluids, specific treatment of underlying cause if appropriate.
- Prognosis : Guarded.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Oliguria/anuria.
- Anemia (due to hemolysis causing hyperhemoglobinemia).
- Signs associated with cause of hypercalcemia (neoplasia, hyperparathyroidism, urolithiasis).
- Signs of acute renal failure.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Causes of acute renal failure .
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Guarded.
Expected response to treatment
- Resolving signs of acute renal failure.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Severe renal damage progressing to death from uremia, or recovery to chronic renal failure which is progressive.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Mealey K Let al(1994)Nephrotoxicosis associated with topical administration of gentamicin in a cat.JAVMA204(12), 1919-1921.
Other sources of information
- Rumbeiha W K (2000)NephrotoxinsIn:Current Veterinary Therapy XIII.Ed: Kirk Bonagura. Philadelphia: W B Saunders, pp 212-216. ISBN: 0 7216 5523 8.
