Peritoneal dialysis for management of meloxicam induced acute kidney injury in dog

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is marked by sudden damage to the renal parenchyma, leading to impairment of the kidney’s excretory, metabolic, and endocrine functions. In small animal practice, dialysis therapy is employed to eliminate metabolic waste products and restore electrolyte balance disrupted by renal dysfunction. Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the peritoneum as a natural semipermeable membrane, allowing the exchange of solutes and fluids between the blood in the peritoneal capillaries and the dialysis solution. The present clinical case deals with an 11-years old, female Labrador retriever presented with past history of difficulty in walking associated with chronic pain in hind limbs for last 3 months. However, the current condition of dog for referral to our TVCC was related to anorexia, melena and hematemesis for last 3 days. History taking revealed that dog was being administered with oral meloxicam tablets for 90 days. Clinical examination revealed dog with dull appearance, poor functional limb mobility and pain on hip palpation. Laboratory findings revealed findings of acute kidney injury with elevated BUN and creatinine values along with normal hemogram. Three cycles of peritoneal dialysis were administered. During the second cycle, the patient’s anuria resolved, and by the end of the third cycle, there was a marked decrease in azotaemia. Overall, peritoneal dialysis achieved favorable clinical outcomes by restoring urine output, reducing azotemia and electrolyte imbalances, and promoting significant clinical recovery.