7 Key Management Essentials and Preparation Criteria for Canine Peritoneal Dialysis Recommended by Veterinarians

KidneyTop PicksMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Peritoneal dialysis is an important option for managing chronic kidney disease in dogs. I’ve outlined effective management products and criteria.

What is Peritoneal Dialysis for Dogs?

A dog with a peritoneal dialysis catheter inserted into its abdomen.

Peritoneal dialysis for dogs is a treatment that removes waste products and excess fluid by infusing dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity and then draining it out when kidney function is compromised. It serves as a reasonable alternative therapy when hemodialysis is difficult or when the patient is too small for reliable vascular access, such as in cases of acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.

Principle of Peritoneal Dialysis: The peritoneum acts as a semipermeable membrane. When dialysis solution with a higher osmotic pressure than plasma (due to added glucose) is introduced, toxins and excess fluid are removed through diffusion, osmosis, and ultrafiltration.

Need for Long-Term and Intensive Management: This is not a short-term intervention but requires hospitalization for repeated exchanges of dialysis solution, along with rigorous infection prevention and catheter management. Regular monitoring is essential.

Characteristics of Specialized Treatment: Since automatic dialysis machines (cyclers) for veterinary use are not currently commercially available, the procedure must be performed directly by veterinary staff at clinics equipped with specialized catheters and sterile techniques. Precise skill and strict cleanliness are mandatory.

Note: Peritoneal Dialysis is an Intensive Treatment Administered in a Hospital

Peritoneal dialysis for dogs isn’t a home-care procedure you manage by purchasing equipment yourself; it’s an intensive treatment administered during a hospital stay. Therefore, the key is not choosing a “product,” but verifying that the hospital and veterinary team can provide safe, effective care. There are essential criteria to check when selecting a facility:

Dedicated catheters and aseptic technique: The hospital must be equipped to insert a dialysis catheter into the abdominal cavity and maintain strict aseptic conditions.

Precise control of dialysate infusion and drainage: They should use volume-regulating pumps to accurately manage both the amount of fluid infused and drained.

Leakage and infection prevention protocols: Established management protocols must be in place to prevent leakage around the catheter site and reduce the risk of infection.

Continuous monitoring: The team should frequently monitor fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and vital signs.

Experience and facilities: Ideally, the hospital has experience in intensive renal care and offers 24-hour inpatient monitoring.

Use these criteria to compare and choose the right hospital for your dog.

The soft silicone tip and securing device of the peritoneal dialysis catheter

Check 1: Availability of Facilities and Specialized Personnel for Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis isn’t a home-based treatment you manage by purchasing equipment; it’s an intensive therapy administered in a hospital setting for critical conditions such as acute kidney failure. Because the procedure involves instilling and draining dialysis fluid from the abdominal cavity to remove waste products, it requires specialized facilities capable of performing dedicated catheter placement and managing dialysis protocols, as well as an experienced medical team. When choosing a hospital, first verify whether they have experience with peritoneal dialysis or intensive renal care and whether they offer 24-hour inpatient monitoring.

An informational image showing whether the facility has the equipment and specialized staff needed for peritoneal dialysis.

Check 2: Catheter Infection Management and Aseptic Technique Competency

With peritoneal dialysis, leakage of dialysate around the catheter is the most common complication, and infections related to the catheter—such as exit-site infections and peritonitis—are serious risks that require careful attention. Therefore, strict adherence to aseptic technique during catheter insertion and dialysate exchanges is crucial to treatment success. When choosing a veterinary hospital, verify that they have established infection-control protocols and a systematic approach to daily catheter-site monitoring for early detection of abnormalities, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or cloudy effluent. Facilities with robust aseptic practices and infection management are better equipped to minimize the risk of complications like leakage and infection.

Guidance image on catheter infection management and aseptic technique competency

Check 3: 24-Hour Monitoring and Critical Care System

During dialysis, it’s essential to frequently check fluid balance, electrolytes, blood pressure, and body temperature, and respond immediately to any changes. That’s why a critical care system capable of continuous monitoring and emergency response, including overnight, is crucial. When choosing a hospital, verify the level of inpatient monitoring, emergency response capabilities, and whether they provide transparent explanations to pet owners about the condition and costs. Since peritoneal dialysis requires long-term, systemic management, it’s best to choose a facility that offers comprehensive care for kidney disease.

Informational image on 24-hour monitoring and critical care management system

Checklist for Choosing a Hospital for Peritoneal Dialysis

Item	Recommended Criteria
Facilities & Experience	A facility with experience in peritoneal dialysis/intensive kidney care and 24-hour inpatient management
Infection Control	A facility with aseptic technique and infection control protocols for catheter insertion and replacement
Monitoring	A facility that continuously monitors fluid balance, electrolytes, and vital signs and can respond to emergencies
Explanation	A facility that transparently explains the treatment course and costs

This is not a table recommending specific products or hospitals, but a reference for when you consult your veterinarian. Decisions about treatment and testing must always be made together with your veterinarian through an examination.

Precautions: Beware of Infection Risks During Peritoneal Dialysis

Infection during peritoneal dialysis can be life-threatening. If you notice redness, swelling, or a high fever at the catheter site, seek veterinary care immediately.

Peritoneal Dialysis Management Tips

Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment administered by veterinary staff during hospitalization, but there are several key points that pet owners should understand.

Understanding aseptic technique: Strict hand hygiene and aseptic procedures must be followed every time dialysate is exchanged to minimize the risk of infection.

Monitoring the catheter exit site: Abdominal bandages are typically removed every 24 hours to inspect the catheter site for redness, swelling, or discharge.

Maintaining dialysis records: Record the volumes of fluid instilled and drained, along with vital signs, to track changes in your pet’s condition.

Dietary management: Adjust the diet, particularly salt and protein intake, according to the guidelines provided by your veterinarian for managing kidney disease.

Regular check-ups: Have your pet’s condition and kidney function re-evaluated on the schedule set by your veterinarian.

Addressing these aspects together with your veterinarian will greatly support long-term care.

The guardian gently cleans the area around the puppy’s peritoneal dialysis catheter with a sterilizing solution.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is peritoneal dialysis painful for dogs?

Dialysis involves infusing and draining dialysate through a catheter. Most pets adapt well once the catheter is in place. Whether pain management or sedation is needed depends on the individual patient’s condition, so please consult your veterinarian to determine the best approach.

How many times a day should dialysis be administered?

The frequency of dialysis sessions and the volume administered per session vary depending on the patient’s kidney function and body size, and are carried out according to a protocol established by the veterinarian during hospitalization. To minimize fluid leakage, the first exchange may be delayed by 12 to 24 hours.

Where can I get dialysis fluid?

Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment administered in a hospital setting, where the medical team prepares and manages the dialysis solution, catheter, and equipment. It is not a procedure that pet owners can perform at home on their own.

Is peritoneal dialysis a lifelong treatment?

In cases where kidney function recovers, such as with acute kidney injury, the treatment can be discontinued once recovery is achieved. However, the timing of discontinuation varies depending on the individual case, such as in chronic kidney disease, so it should be determined in consultation with your veterinarian.

How should I administer dialysis when going out?

Peritoneal dialysis is not a treatment you can do at home with a portable device; it is an intensive therapy that must be performed while your pet is hospitalized. Since there are currently no commercially available automated dialysis machines (cyclers) for veterinary use, the procedure must be carried out in a hospital equipped with sterile facilities and a dedicated medical team.

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References

[1] Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed. (2023). Wiley-Blackwell.

[2] Feldman, E. C., & Nelson, R. W. (2022). Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology. Elsevier.

[3] American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). (2021). Consensus Statement on Peritoneal Dialysis in Dogs.