One of the puppies i bred( now age 1) just went to get spayed today but the vet called to say her blood test for renal function was high.all other tests were normal.They scanned her and found out she had abnormal anatomy and believe its congenital.They put her on iv fluids for the day then sent her home on a special diet until the specialist appointment.Her owners are devastated and so worried they will lose their dog,they adore her.Has anyone else gone through this and may be able to shed some light on what it could be good or bad.The dogs mother who i own has had bloods done in the past and is fine but im concerned its herediatary and can be carried because she is pregnant just now( same sire).If they find out its hereditary is there any tests that can be done on young pups? I would not want any one else to go through what they are going through and of course im upset myself.I also want to know if there are any other treats or food at all she would be allowed other than the renal diet food or has it got to be just that food? Any advice or information appreciated,thanks x

Does your breed have FRD or any other familial renal disease?

Unfortunately only cockers have a DNA test for the form of FRD, it appears in other breeds including my own, Shi Tzu's etc, but the mode of inheritance is unknown.

I certainly would not want to continue with a  repeat mating (in case it is inherited, or a problem with that particular combination of parents) if it would be possible to use Alizin to terminate the pregnancy (which can be done up to 6 weeks).

The only way to know for sure if kidneys are abnormal structurally usually is by biopsy, which is not something you would do just for assessment as it's an invasive procedure.

> They scanned her and found out she had abnormal anatomy and believe its congenital.

Congenital means the condidion was present at birth. It does not necessarily mean it was hereditary. I would speak to the vet and ask for more information about what caused the condition before doing anything as drastic as terminating the pregnancy

No its not known in my breed otherwise i wouldve have my girl tested,she is tested for everything her breed should be tested for.No she is quite far on so not willing to termninate and the vet even said without knowing he cant say whether its hereditary or simply just one of these things.He said there is no cure but doesnt know what exactly it is,says only the specialist can tell us that.We are just hoping whatever is it although no cure she can lead a comfortable life even if it means a plain diet and meds x

>No its not known in my breed otherwise i wouldve have my girl tested,

As I said before, you can't test for kidney issues in most breeds, other than a basic kidney function which tells you very litte and won't show up abnormal results until the kidneys are very compromised.

Juvenile Renal Dysplasia is a hereditary condition, there is a genetic test for it, but of course you don't know if that is what your pup has. Some breeds are more prone than others.  Good luck with the specialist.

>Juvenile Renal Dysplasia is a hereditary condition,

Yes, possibly.

>here is a genetic test for it,

Yes, if the dogs are Cocker Spaniels (not sure if there is a DNA test for any other breed, certainly isn't oen for ours.

Unfortunately the same conditions in different breeds may be due to totally different genes or modes of inheritance, or may not even be inherited.

http://www.dogenes.com/

This company has reputedly developed and is using a genetic test for RD. It isn't limited by breed as far as I can see, I know of people who have used it for GSD for JRD.

I believe there is some issue as to validity of these tests, I know that one company was offering tests that were not actually proven to work.

I keep my ear to the ground re breakthroughs and I think we'd have all been dancing in the isles if this test had been developed for all breeds, As FRD has occurred in my breed.

KC list of available DNA tests http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/14688/dnatestsworldwide.pdf

We don't know the OP's breed.

Im still in touch with the whole litter,would it be any help getting the other owners to blood test their dogs just to rule out maby being hereditary and others being affected? x

Again a standard blood test would only show an issue if the kidney function was really bad (my vet says down to under 20%) so this is not a good test as a 'screening test' for kidney disease.

It may be reassuring the dogs don't have a problem on a given day but won't tell you if you really have an issue

What breed are we talking about as this really does matter..

They are miniature poodles x

Brainless....That's why I use the word 'reputedly', since I have no knowledge of how effective/valid this test is. I am rather wary of some private companies claiming some tests. I notice that standard poodles appear on the list for JRD, but not miniature or toy.

I think the OP should contact the breed clubs health co-ordinator, (that is wha5t they are there for) and find out if research has been done (as originally all sizes were one breed) to see if the problems cross over and if the test would apply to other sizes than standard.

Even fi the test is not relevant, sadly it is only with affected animals that research to prevent issues can be done, so the silver lining when issues occur is that if DNA can be saved from affected animals, and more collected from relatives it may help research and the opportunity should not be wasted.

Agreed, hopefully the breed club health co-ordinator can help. I know of only one dog personally that had JRD, a GSD who died at 4, such a shame for an otherwise beautiful vibrant young dog.

The dogs owner took her back to have blood done again this time the urea was still high at 14 but the creatinine although the higher end of normal at 150 was still within normal range,if it were something serious would it be within normal range.She asked about scan and they are now saying they dont have a scanner there and seemed a bit shifty when questioned couldnt give her the details she was given before ,she is starting to think a scan was never done so has a second opinion on tues,she hasnt got an appointment through for specialist yet

Quick update,instead of going to a specialist they took her to another vet for a 2nd opinion and they then contacted me saying vet there is 99%sure its polycystic kidney disease but im confused as to why they have come to that conclusion with no scan,biopsy,nothing.Out of the 5 pups in her litter 3 have passed their blood tests although i realise this doesnt necessarlry rule them out,the other pup gets his bloods done on friday.The litter from the same mum i have due i was hoping to keep a pup to show.This isnt my main breed,im actually quite new to this breed but know there is no dna test fro the breed.To have PKD diagnosed what tests would need to be done?

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is not as common in dogs as it is in cats. PKD is an inherited disease which is irreversible. The disorder is often present at birth and can result in renal failure. Cysts slowly grow and replace normal kidney tissue, causing the kidney to enlarge. Cysts are sacs filled with air, fluid or semi-solid material. Once these cysts form, normal kidney function declines and may cause kidney failure. PKD can affect dogs of all breeds but the Cairn Terrier, Bull Terriers and Beagle seem to be more frequently affected. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but abnormal genes seem to play a role. Symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease

It may be difficult to detect polycystic kidney disease until the cysts become large and numerous. Many dogs do not have any symptoms during the initial stages of the disease. Signs are non-specific. Most symptoms seen in dogs mimic renal failure from any cause.

http://www.vetinfo.com/polycystic-kidney-disease-dogs.html

If polycystic kidney disease is suspected, fluid will be removed from the kidney via a needle and then evaluated. Other tests include abdominal ultrasounds, a urine analysis and examination of the cystic fluid.

Thanks Brainless,would the other littermates have passed their blood test if they had the same condition?

Yes, as they may even if affected not yet have the function compromised enough to show up.

The owner of this dog is just taking the word of the vet that its most likely PKD and not going to a specialist,can anyone tell me what is the best way forward,would scanning all the litter mates show something? I have a litter due with the same dam and sire so i desperately need advice how i can find out for sure if this is something hereditary.I feel sick with worry anny advice appreciated Thanks

Might be worth contacting the Geneticist Bruce Cattanagh who is doing work on this primarily in  in Boxers, and advises that specific gravity testing can work quite well as a screening tool.

There is a letter from him in this weeks Our Dogs on the subject.

If a specialist could offer a definite diagnosis are you in a position to offer to pay for it? or is it not the money but what the test involves that means they don't want it?

I have already offered to pay for the specialist but they are simply happy with what the vets have told them and the dog is now on a renal diet but i need to know for sure.Are there any kidney diseases that show abnormal kidneys on a scan that are not passed on from the parents?

I have already offered to pay for the specialist but they are simply happy with what the vets have told them and the dog is now on a renal diet but i need to know for sure.Are there any kidney diseases that show abnormal kidneys on a scan that are not passed on from the parents?

Again breed predisposition, or emerging condition, clinical presentation and symptoms can vary.  What breed are we discussing??

As Bruce Cattanagh is looking into this issue I am sure he could help or put you onto who can.

I have emailed him on genetic questions (just colour and pattern inheritance) and he is the sort of person to reply.

I was just reading a post on another forum about a young dog with jrd and another member asked if the dog had been born by section but she never replied and it was a very old thread.Does anyone know why she would ask this,is there a connection with kidney disease and pups born by section because the dog im posting about actually was born by section