Juvenile renal disease

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Age predisposition, Sex predisposition, Breed predisposition, Special risks (e.g. anesthetic), Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Prevention, Prophylaxis, Group eradication, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Phil Nicholls BVSc BSc PhD MRCVS MRCPath

Introduction

  • Cause : juvenile renal disease is usually caused by a congenital (developmental) or hereditary renal abnormality.
  • The diseases include renal dysplasia, renal agenesis, renal cortical hypoplasia or glomerulopathies.
  • Signs : the animals present with signs of chronic renal failure; stunted growth; dysphagia.
  • Diagnosis : radiography.
  • Prognosis : guarded.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Stunted growth.
  • Same as chronic renal failure Chronic renal failure :
    • Polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, weight loss, hypothermia, pale mucous membranes, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, non-regenerative anemia and inappropriately dilute urine.
  • Rubber jaw.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Same as chronic renal failure Chronic renal failure.
  • Hypothyroidism (stunted growth).
  • Congenital dwarfism (decreased growth hormone).
  • Hypophosphatemic ricketts (stunted growth, decreased opacity skeleton).
  • Congenital porto-systemic shunt (polyuria/polydipsia, stunted growth).

Sequelae

Prognosis


Good
  • If enough normal functioning renal tissue is present, eg in agenesis of one kidney.
  • Renal telangiectasia may only develop problems quite late in life.
  • Some Shih Tzu have lived several years before developing clinical signs.
Poor
  • Once renal failure develops, disease usually progresses quite rapidly.
  • Mean age at death is 2 years or less.

Expected response to treatment

  • Stabilizing azotemia and general demeanor of the animal.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Peeters D et al(2000) Juvenile nephropathy in a Boxer, a Rottweiler, a Collie and an Irish Wolfhound. Aust Vet J 78 , 162-165.

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