Hemodialysis in animals: what do owners need to know?

Hemodialysis is used:

Hemodialysis does not cure the kidneys, but it allows you to buy time: to sustain the animal's life while the kidneys have a chance to recover, or to ensure the patient's quality of life for a longer period.

How does the procedurework?

To perform dialysis at the Zoolux veterinary clinic (Kyiv), a special large catheter is inserted into the jugular vein, through which the machine draws blood and returns it after purification. The procedure lasts several hours under the supervision of doctors in the intensive care unit. The patient must remain calm and still, so sedatives or light anesthesia are used depending on their condition.

1. Can dialysis cure kidney disease?

No. Dialysis removes toxic waste products that should be excreted by the kidneys. This keeps the patient in a stable condition until, if possible, kidney function can be restored.

2. What should the patient's weight be for dialysis?

Currently — from 15 kg and above. This is due to technical limitations of the equipment and the volume of blood circulating during the procedure.

3. How long does the procedure take?

Dialysis usually lasts 5 hours or more (not including the time required to insert the catheter and connect/set up the machine).

4. Is hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit mandatory?

In cases of acute kidney injury, it is essential. This is a critical condition that progresses rapidly, so treatment must be carried out in an intensive care unit. Dialysis itself is only part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

5. Is it necessary to insert the catheter into the neck? Can the catheter be inserted into the paw?

A catheter in the jugular vein is essential. It is inserted into a large vessel near the heart to ensure the necessary blood flow. Small catheters in the paw are not suitable: the device will not be able to work, and the procedure will become impossible.

6. Is this procedure performed under anesthesia?

It depends on the patient's condition. The main task is to ensure that the animal does not move and damage the catheter. For this purpose, either sedatives or light surface anesthesia are used.

7. How often can dialysis be performed?

If necessary, every 12–24 hours. In some modes, dialysis can continue continuously for several days. The choice depends on the patient's condition and kidney function.

8. Is it possible to predict the number of procedures required?

No. It depends on the level of kidney function and the ability of the kidneys to recover.

If the readings are very high, several procedures are often required.

If the deviations are minor and the kidneys recover quickly, one may be sufficient.

9. Is it possible to predict the possibility of kidney recovery?

Definitely not. But there is a correlation: the sooner treatment is started after deterioration, and the lower the kidney function was at the start, the greater the likelihood of recovery.

10. Do cats undergo dialysis?

We are currently working on the possibility of performing dialysis on cats. This requires special catheters, which are not yet available in Ukraine, and more complex equipment. As soon as this becomes possible, we will be sure to let you know.

11. Is it possible to undergo dialysis for chronic kidney disease?

Yes, it is possible. However, it is important to understand that dialysis does not improve the functioning of the kidneys themselves. It only cleanses the blood of toxins.

If the kidneys do not recover their function after the procedure (which is typical for chronic diseases), dialysis must be performed regularly — approximately once every 2–4 days for life. This is technically possible, but requires significant financial costs and constant catheter care.

Thus, hemodialysis in veterinary medicine is not a "magic pill," but a high-tech tool that, in certain cases, can save lives or significantly prolong their duration and quality.

• What is hemodialysis?
• Hemodialysis is a method of cleansing the blood of toxic metabolic products that are normally excreted by the kidneys. When the kidneys stop working or work very poorly, toxins accumulate in the body and poison it. In such cases, a special device called an "artificial kidney" is used, which takes blood from the animal, passes it through a membrane, cleanses it of harmful substances, and returns it to the body.
  • When is hemodialysis necessary? When is hemodialysis necessary? When is hemodialysis necessary??
  • in cases of acute renal failure (e.g., following poisoning, infection, trauma, or surgery);
  • when there is an exacerbation of a chronic kidney disease, when the body cannot cope with the elimination of toxins;
  • in cases where it is necessary to quickly reduce the level of urea, creatinine, and other renal indicators;
  • in some cases of intoxication (substances that dissolve well in blood).
  •  Questions/answers about hemodialysis in animals at Zoolux