Acute Kidney Failure After Heavy Fighting or Training

Acute Kidney Failure After Heavy Fighting or Training
Excessive exercise, especially in a state of dehydration, forces the body to rely on anaerobic energy pathways (glycolysis), leading to a massive buildup of lactic acid. This causes fatigue, cramps, stiffness, and importantly, can lead to Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of skeletal muscle). This condition releases toxins into the bloodstream and is a primary cause of acute kidney failure.

In fighting cocks, this condition causes severe muscle pain. Initially, decreased urination is observed, but there is an increased excretion of uric acid in the urates (the white part of the droppings). It leads to cramps, muscle spasms, weakness, and slow gastrointestinal motility or indigestion. In severe cases, neurological symptoms may also occur, such as a twisted neck (torticollis), staggering, and falling, along with general weakness and muscle issues. Birds that survive severe symptoms will require a long recovery period. If they do not fully recover before returning to activity, they have a high risk of a relapse, which can be more severe and even fatal.

Causes of exercise-induced kidney failure include:

Rhabdomyolysis: Occurs when there is severe muscle damage (from heavy exercise, dehydration, hot weather, or high humidity resulting in low oxygen). Intracellular muscle components, especially myoglobin (as well as creatine kinase and other uremic toxins), leak into the bloodstream and become toxic to the kidneys. Normally, the body only excretes a small amount, but when muscle cells are destroyed, large amounts of myoglobin are released, causing acute toxicity.
Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: This reduces blood flow to the kidneys, forcing them to overwork and ultimately sustaining damage.
Insufficient Oxygen: This includes inadequate or improper training to improve oxygen utilization efficiency. As a result, the delivery of oxygen for bodily metabolism is low, which negatively affects the function of the heart, circulatory system, air sacs, and lungs.
Overexertion: This is especially common during matches that last for multiple rounds.
Use of Anti-inflammatory Drugs: These medications often cause the capillaries supplying the kidneys to constrict, significantly reducing blood flow to the organs.
Prevention: Prevention involves providing adequate drinking water before a match, administering electrolyte replacements, and gradually increasing the intensity of exercise. Ensure thorough and proper training (optimal conditioning) so the bird's body fully adapts, and stop immediately if any signs of abnormality are noticed.

In addition to muscle breakdown and the resulting kidney damage, the liver is another organ that can be severely harmed, along with the nervous system and even the skeletal structure.

Article by: Veterinarian Pongphak Phithakphon (DVM)