Familial progressive nephropathy in young Bull Terriers

Abstract

The clinical, clinicopathological and pathological findings are described in three Bull Terrier bitches with advanced renal disease. The bitches were less than four years old and showed variable presenting signs but anorexia, lethargy and polydipsia were the most frequent. All three dogs were azotaemic and isosthenuric. Urinary protein was measured in two of the three cases. Both were proteinuric. At necropsy all dogs had shrunken kidneys. Histological examination revealed nephron loss, atrophy of glomerular tufts, interstitial fibrosis, and mineralisation of basement membranes. The progressive renal disease in these dogs was similar to the condition reported in Bull Terriers in Australia, and is probably familial and inherited.

Familial Glomerulonephropathy in the Bullmastiff

“…In three of 11 samples, IgM immunoglobulin deposition was minor, was present only in occasional glomeruli, and is most likely a secondary, nonspecific trapping of the components in glomeruli damaged by the primary process. The morphologic appearance of the glomerular changes and the immunohistochemical findings are not suggestive of an infectious or primary immune-mediated process but more closely resemble the familial diseases of breeds such as the Samoyed, 1,15,29 Doberman Pinscher, 4,25,30 Rottweiler, 6 Bull Terrier, 17 older Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, 8,21 and Newfoundland dog. 20 This resemblance suggests the possibility of a biochemical or structural defect in the glomerular basement membrane as an underlying etiology, as proven in the Samoyed 29,31 and suspected in the Doberman Pinscher 25 disease.…”

Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs inUKVeterinary Practices: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Survival

“…Although CKD is ultimately a progressive disorder, early diagnosis and management may modify the rate of progression and improve patient quality and quantity of life . Demographic risk factors previously identified for CKD include advancing age, small size, and specific breeds with familial kidney disease, including the Chinese Shar Pei, Bull Terrier, English Cocker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, and Boxer . Periodontal disease has been identified as a clinical risk factor for CKD …”

Progressive Juvenile Glomerulonephropathy in 16 Related French Mastiff (Bordeaux) Dogs

“…Laboratory findings vary considerably but proteinuria is the hallmark of these diseases. The range of lesions observed on light microscopy (LM) often is nonspecific, varies with the stage of the disease and may include glomerular hypercellularity and irregular capillary wall thickening without immune complex deposition, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and renal dysplasia 1–9,16 . Confirmation of the diagnosis often requires electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence studies in addition to LM.…”

“…The range of lesions observed on light microscopy (LM) often is nonspecific, varies with the stage of the disease and may include glomerular hypercellularity and irregular capillary wall thickening without immune complex deposition, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and renal dysplasia. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]16 Confirmation of the diagnosis often requires electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence studies in addition to LM. GBM thickening and focal or diffuse splitting are typical ultrastructural lesions of HN.…”

“…Progressive familial juvenile glomerulonephropathy (JGN) resulting in chronic renal failure has been described in several breeds of dog including the English Cocker Spaniel, 1 Bull Terrier, 2 Samoyed, 3 Doberman Pinscher, 4 Dalmatian, 5 Bullmastiff, 6 Rottweiler, 7 Beagle, 8 Bernese Mountain dog, 9 and mixed breed dogs from Navasota 10 . Most of these diseases are progressive and eventually fatal, and the primary renal defect and underlying mode of inheritance are mostly unknown.…”