How is protein loss nephropathy diagnosed?
PLN is diagnosed through genetic, urine and blood testing. Additional tests, including blood pressure and abdominal ultrasound, may be recommended based on your dog’s clinical signs. There are secondary causes of PLN not associated with genetic mutations.
What is protein losing nephropathy?
PLN is a broad term that describes diseases of the glomerulus (or rarely other parts of the kidney) that cause protein loss into the urine. Unfortunately this protein is toxic to the kidneys and if the losses cannot be controlled, PLN ultimately leads to chronic renal disease (CRD, see CRD handout).
How do you treat protein loss nephropathy in dogs?
Perhaps the single most beneficial therapy for PLN is angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. ACE inhibitors have been proven to decrease proteinuria and delay onset of renal failure in dogs. Enalapril (0.25-0.5 mg/kg PO q 12-24 hrs) is a commonly used drug; benazepril is showing promise.
How do you treat protein loss nephropathy?
What is the normal protein to creatinine ratio?
A-F
| Urine collection method | Normal | Proteinuria or Macroalbuminuria |
|---|---|---|
| Total Protein | ||
| Spot urine protein:creatinine ratio | <200 mg/g | ≥200 mg/g |
| Albumin | ||
| 24-hour excretion | <30 mg/day | ≥300 mg/day |
When to use an ERD test on a dog?
The ERD test is used when the routine urine test for protein is negative and your veterinarian wants to: 1 look further for traces of protein in the urine. For example, in a dog at high risk for kidney disease. 2 do a comprehensive health screen to detect hidden illness in a dog. More …
What are the symptoms of excess protein in dogs urine?
When symptoms do appear along with excess protein in the urine, they depend on the underlying cause of the dog’s proteinuria. Some of these symptoms that can occur along with excess protein in the urine include:
What kind of test can I do on my dog’s urine?
The most common test that will be administered is a urine dip test strip, which reviews its content and make up. If glomerular disease (a condition where the kidneys cannot process waste) is suspected, a kidney biopsy may be recommended.
What kind of test do you do for excess protein in urine?
In this situation, there is clearly excess protein in the urine and an E.R.D. test will not provide any additional information. The veterinarian may suggest doing a protein-to-creatinine ratio test, which is the best test to do when larger amounts of protein are present in the urine.
The ERD test is used when the routine urine test for protein is negative and your veterinarian wants to: 1 look further for traces of protein in the urine. For example, in a dog at high risk for kidney disease. 2 do a comprehensive health screen to detect hidden illness in a dog. More
What causes a dog to lose protein in the urine?
Protein losing nephropathy may be caused by autoimmune disease, kidney disease and other conditions. The next step would be to have blood tests and possibly x-rays to see what is happening. If the urinalysis doesn’t indicate infection it would be irresponsible for your Veterinarian to prescribe antibiotics. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
When to test a dog’s urine for protein?
All dogs should have their urine tested when they visit the veterinarian to determine its composition and to identify any abnormalities. If abnormal levels of protein are found in the urine, the dog should be carefully monitored.
In this situation, there is clearly excess protein in the urine and an E.R.D. test will not provide any additional information. The veterinarian may suggest doing a protein-to-creatinine ratio test, which is the best test to do when larger amounts of protein are present in the urine.