Familial Renal Disease, Familial Glomerulonephropathy

Familial renal disease, also known as "hereditary nephritis" and "familial glomerulonephropathy", is associated with abnormalities in the glomeruli, the tiny tufts of capillaries that filter blood in the kidneys by removing fluid and waste products from the blood. When the filters are not working effectively, protein and red blood cells pass into the urine.

In some dogs (Samoyeds), glomerulonephropathy is caused from inheritance of abnormal X-linked (sex chromosome) genes resulting in abnormal type IV collagen (major component of glomerular capillary basement membrane). If this case, males are more severely affected and develop chronic kidney failure by 8-16 months of age. Affected females show less severe clinical signs.

In Bull terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Cocker Spaniels, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Newfoundlands, Shar-Peis and Beagles, familial glomerulonephropathy is associated with inherited autosomal recessive trait. The disease affects males and females similarly. Norwegian Elkhounds may develop kidney failure as early as 3 months of age.

Signs of Familial Renal Disease

Dogs affected with glomerulonephropathy present with weight loss, loss of appetite, apathy, vomiting, increased thirst and urination. Clinical signs include mild to severe proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, and occasionally glycosuria at 6 weeks to 2 months of age and eventually chronic kidney failure near 6-10 months of age.

Treatment of Familial Renal Disease

In dogs with hereditary nephritis treatment is directed to decreasing proteinuria, improving kidney function. Salt-restricted and protein-restricted diets are also recommended. Despite urine protein loss, dietary protein supplementation is not advisable as proteinuria can worsen. Dogs and cats with fluid buildup (edema) or ascites should be treated with cage rest and dietary sodium restriction. Sometimes, there may be a need for tapping the abdominal cavity with a needle in order to draw off accumulated fluids if animals experience difficulty breathing and abdominal discomfort. Overzealous use of diuretics (furosemide) may cause dehydration and acute kidney insufficiency. Plasma transfusions provide only temporary benefits.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis, sometimes called "nephritis", is an inflammation of the glomeruli. In dogs, infectious diseases such as brucellosis, dirofilariasis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, borreliosis); tumors, and inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis, polyarthritis, and prostatitis can cause the disease. As most affected dogs develop proteinuria as puppies, it is important to include urine analysis in their health screening. There are often no clinical signs associated with nephritis. The prognosis for dogs with glomerulonephritis is generally poor, although early recognition and appropriate therapy can extend the lives of these patients.