Intermittant hemodialysis
What is Hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a procedure which removes metabolic solute and fluid waste from the blood. The dialysis machine pumps blood through a circuit where it then passes through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane is called a dialyzer, or artificial kidney. Metabolic waste diffuses through the dialyzer membrane and out of the blood. The purified blood is then returned to the patient. Dialysis therapy also restores electrolyte and water balance. Dialysis therapy does not "fix" and injured kidney but helps maintain the patient's health and allows the patient to feel better while giving the kidney time to heal.
Leptospirosis in Dogs on the Rise in Western Washington
The VCA Veterinary Specialty Center Dialysis Unit opened in April of 2009 and is currently offering intermittent hemodialysis and charcoal hemoperfusion.
Since 2009, the VSC Dialysis Unit has treated an even mixture of canine and feline patients with ailments ranging from NSAID toxicity, pyelonephritis, leptospirosis, phenobarbital intoxication and acute renal failure secondary to systemic hypotension.
The VSC veterinary dialysis team reached their 150th treatment in December of 2011. The VSC dialysis team is available to answer questions seven days a week. Please call us early in the course of patient management. We encourage consultation as soon as you suspect a patient might benefit from hemodialysis or hemoperfusion. If you suspect a patient might be a candidate for dialysis or have any questions, please contact Dr. Linda Barton, Adriane Evans, or Amanda Adams at (425) 697-6106.
Keeping our patients healthy. . .and happy
Many owners have concerns regarding their pets' comfort during hemodialysis treatments. Is dialysis painful? Is it uncomfortable or stressful? Will my pet have to be anesthetized or sedated? Actually, animal patients tolerate hemodialysis therapy incredibly well. They rarely need sedation and no invasive medical procedures are performed during dialysis. Pets lie on warm, fluffy beds and are allowed to move, eat, drink and sleep as they wish. They receive constant attention, interaction and 'TLC' from all of the professional staff.
For more detailed information on Dialysis and our service please click here
