HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE IN DOGS - 29 CASES (1983-1992)

Objective-To assess factors associated with development of hospital-ac quired acute renal failure (HARF) and to determine outcome of and prog nostic indicators for dogs with HARF. Design-Retrospective case series . Animals-29 dogs. Results-The most common inciting causes for develop ment of HARF were exposure to a nephrotoxicant and advanced age. Morta lity was 62%, and factors that contributed to mortality were age and i nitial urine output. Dogs greater than or equal to 7 years old and dog s that were initially oliguric had an odds ratio of mortality of 8.8 a nd 20, respectively. The effect of preexisting heart disease on mortal ity approached significance (P = 0.053). The magnitude of azotemia at the time of diagnosis was not related to the chance for survival. Dogs that died had a significantly higher initial anion gap and serum phos phorus concentration than did dogs that survived. We did not detect a relationship between cause of HARF and outcome (survived vs died or eu thanatized). Clinical Implications-In most cases, HARF is associated w ith a poor outcome. Older dogs may be at increased risk for developmen t of HARF, and once HARF has developed, have a greater chance of dying . Prognosis can not be determined on the magnitude of azotemia al the time of diagnosis or on the inciting cause of HARF.