Acute Renal or Kidney Disease and Failure in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

A synonym for "kidney" is the word "renal" and is frequently the term used in medical jargon. So when you see the word "renal", think kidney. Before starting, it is important to understand the difference between renal disease and renal failure. Because of the large reserve of kidney function the kidneys can be diseased without failing and if the disease does not have other symptoms the disease may go unnoticed until it progresses to the point of kidney failure when about 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the kidney are not functioning.

Acute renal failure means a disease with a rapid onset that effects the kidney to the point where most of the kidney is not functioning and therefore the kidney cannot keep the blood free of toxins, balance fluids and electrolytes. Acute renal failure is a rare but serious disease in the horse, with the possible exception of bladder rupture in neonatal male foals. This article discusses causes of renal failure, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

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