Renal Dysplasia in Dogs

Renal dysplasia is a heriditary disease that affects younger dogs and puppies. Many different breeds can suffer from renal dysplasia, but it is most commonly seen in the Shih Tzu breed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for renal dysplasia, and the dog inevitably dies or is euthanized.

  1. Renal Dysplasia

    • Renal dysplasia is also known as juvenile renal dysplasia or progressive nephropathy. Puppies that are affected with the disease have abnormal kidney formation; the nephrons in the kidneys are not fully developed and never reach full maturity. Most puppies present symptoms at around 15 months of age, but it is possible for some symptoms to present at a much younger age.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of renal dysplasia can include excessive urination and excessive drinking. Some puppies may be difficult to house train due to the problem with excessive urination. They can also develop symptoms such as weight loss, vomiting, decrease in appetite and dehydration. In severe cases, the puppy will not thrive as it should.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian can diagnose the disease by taking a urine sample. When renal dysplasia is present, the urine will look diluted and will most likely have protein in it. A blood test may be done to show anemia, and upon an ultrasound exam the kidneys may look irregular and small. To obtain a firm diagnosis, a biopsy of the kidney may have to be taken.

    Inheritance

    • For puppies to suffer from renal dysplasia, both parents must be carriers of the recessive gene. When two carriers are combined, 25 percent of the offspring will become ill from the disease, while 50 percent will be carriers of the gene and 25 percent will be neither ill nor carriers, according to the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America. There is no way of knowing if a dog is a carrier of this gene, and dogs may continue to pass the gene on. There is no distinct path that the genetic transmission follows, therefore there has not been much success in trying to prevent the gene from spreading to other generations.

    Treatment

    • The symptoms of renal dysplasia are progressive, and there are no long-term treatments for the disease. Kidney treatments and intravenous fluids may be beneficial in the early stages, but they will not prevent the disease from progressing. The affected dog typically dies between 1 and 2 years of age, if it is not euthanized.