Pet Hemodialysis Increases Discharge Probability for Acute Kidney Injury Patients to 70%

When a pet stands at the crossroads of life and death due to a sudden decline in kidney function, hemodialysis is an important treatment that helps survival by temporarily replacing the role of the kidneys. In a video released on September 9, 2026, on the YouTube channel 'Veterinarian Lee Tae-ho', Director Ahn Un-chan of Signature Animal Medical Center explained in detail the purpose of hemodialysis, its actual therapeutic effects, and the key elements in the treatment process.

‘Buying Time’ for Kidney Function Recovery… Effective for Acute Kidney Injury

Hemodialysis in animals differs in purpose from the treatment of end-stage renal failure in humans. While humans undergo long-term dialysis to wait for a transplant or to maintain life when kidney function is completely lost, in pets, it is mainly performed in cases of 'Acute Kidney Injury' where the kidneys suddenly deteriorate, or when sudden worsening occurs in a state of chronic renal failure. Director Ahn Un-chan explained, "Since kidney transplants are not realistically easy for dogs or cats, we recommend dialysis when we judge that the crisis can be overcome because the kidneys have suddenly worsened."

Ahn defined hemodialysis as "a treatment that temporarily replaces the function when the kidneys are not working, maintaining the body's balance and holding out until the kidneys recover." In other words, the core is to buy time until the kidneys reach a state where they can work on their own. Ahn emphasized that the ultimate goal of dialysis is to restore the kidney's self-function and create an 'Independent' state where they do not rely on dialysis, saying, "We perform dialysis so that they can live later without hemodialysis."

The actual therapeutic effects have also been shown to be significant. According to research results mentioned in the video, in the case of acute kidney injury patients, the probability of discharge reached approximately 70% when they received dialysis treatment. Patients with acute worsening superimposed on chronic renal failure (Acute on chronic) also showed a discharge rate of about 58%, suggesting that dialysis is of great significance for survival. In particular, for critical patients requiring dialysis, the survival rate drops to less than 5% if dialysis is not performed, and the key to the treatment is that this can be raised to the 50–70% range through dialysis. However, Ahn added the need for a cautious approach, noting, "Not everyone improves just because they undergo dialysis, and there is a probability of about 40–50% that they do not improve or that the process is given up on."

Establishing a System for Same-Day Dialysis and the Treatment Process

In hemodialysis, 'timing' is as important as technical proficiency. Ahn stated that the biggest challenge was establishing a system so that dialysis could begin as quickly as possible when a patient arrives at the hospital. This is because dialysis takes a lot of time to assess and prepare the patient's condition, and the prognosis can worsen the longer it is delayed. Ahn said, "While we focused on overcoming technical hurdles in the early stages, we later put effort into building a system to ensure same-day dialysis can be performed when a patient arrives."

The dialysis system at Signature Animal Medical Center operates in a way that the emergency intensive care team is immediately activated. While the guardian undergoes consultation, the medical staff simultaneously proceeds with assessing the patient's condition and testing for the cause of renal failure. If dialysis is judged appropriate based on the test results, the surgery, internal medicine, intensive care, and imaging teams collaborate to decide on the dialysis. Ahn shared, "Because the guardian must accurately understand the dialysis to have the strength to continue treatment, we assist with the decision along with sufficient explanations."

The dialysis process varies depending on the patient's condition, but it usually requires a process of inserting a tube from a blood vessel in the neck to the heart. This is because a much larger amount of blood must be moved than in general fluid treatment (20–30ml per hour) to circulate the blood quickly. Most lethargic patients are fitted with the tube without anesthesia, and light sedation is used only if there is severe resistance. On the first day, it proceeds for about 4 to 8 hours for the patient's adaptation, and from the second day, dialysis continues for about 6 to 8 hours depending on the patient's condition. After the tube is stably inserted, dialysis can be performed without anesthesia or sedation.

High Cost and Difficulty in Continuing Treatment

Hemodialysis belongs to the high-cost treatments among pet medical care. Ahn honestly admitted, "The biggest hurdle is the cost." This is because, due to the nature of intensive care, precise monitoring is required every day, and treatment must be continued for a certain period until the kidneys return. However, he added that the hospital is working to reduce the cost burden so that guardians can continue treatment without stopping. Ahn explained, "It is not simply about setting a high cost, but we are striving for a reasonable approach by considering how the patient can hold out for a long time and how the guardian can continue the treatment."

Ahn recalled meeting many patients while continuing hemodialysis treatment over the past 10 years. He shared the fate of a veterinarian caring for intensive care patients and the sense of accomplishment felt when patients recover and leave, saying, "Whether they get better or worse, children receiving dialysis inevitably form an emotional bond through close communication with their guardians." In particular, he expressed that as a medical professional, he was able to grow while watching the process of children who had started treatment with anxious hearts in the early stages recover healthily.

This video features Director Ahn Un-chan of Signature Animal Medical Center, covering in detail the medical principles and actual clinical application cases of pet hemodialysis.