Which combination of signs most strongly suggests chronic kidney disease in a senior dog?

• A. Decreased thirst, decreased urination, weight gain.
• B. Coughing, sneezing, runny nose.
• C. Increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and decreased appetite.
• D. Hair loss, itchy skin, vomiting.

Answer: (C)

Chronic kidney disease in older dogs often shows both a disruption in fluid balance and systemic illness. When the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine, they can't hold onto water well, so the dog drinks more and urinates more. That fluid loss, plus the buildup of waste products, commonly leads to weight loss and a reduced appetite as the animal feels nauseated or unwell. So a combination of increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and decreased appetite reflects the typical, interrelated signs of CKD.

Other sign groupings don’t fit CKD as well. Coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose point more to a respiratory issue. Hair loss, itchy skin, and vomiting can appear with other conditions or dermatologic problems, and while vomiting can occur with CKD, it isn’t the defining cluster alongside thirst and urination.