Familial Protein‐Losing Enteropathy and Protein‐Losing Nephropathy in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers: 222 Cases (1983–1997)

Abstract

Records and pedigrees of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers (SCWT) with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) or protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) were studied retrospectively. Criteria for inclusion were defined based on analysis of blood (panhypoproteinemia for PLE, hypoalbuminemia for PLN) and urine (proteinuria for PLN) and histopathologic examination of tissue. Two hundred twenty-two affected dogs (female:male ratio = 1.6, P < .001) were clinically identified. Dogs were diagnosed with PLE earlier (P < .005; mean +/- SD age: 4.7+/-2.6 years, n = 76) than with PLN (6.3+/-2.0 years, n = 84) or with both diseases (5.9+/-2.2 years, n = 62). Clinical signs included vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, pleural and peritoneal effusions, and less commonly thromboembolic disease. Dogs with PLE generally had panhypoproteinemia and hypocholesterolemia; intestinal lesions included inflammatory bowel disease, dilated lymphatics, and lipogranulomatous lymphangitis. Dogs with PLN generally had hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria, hypercholesterolemia, and azotemia; renal lesions typically showed chronic glomerulonephritis/glomerulosclerosis, and less commonly endstage renal disease. Dogs with combined PLE/PLN had intermediate mean values (P < .001) for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol but had a higher mean urine protein:creatinine ratio than did PLN dogs (P < .05); intestinal and renal lesions in these dogs were similar to those in the other groups. Two dogs had incidental mild renal dysplasia. Pedigree analysis from 188 dogs demonstrated a common male ancestor, although the mode of inheritance is unknown. Both PLE and PLN are common diseases in this small breed population. The prognosis is poor. Compared with previously reported intestinal and renal diseases in dogs, a new, distinctive familial predisposition for both PLE and PLN has been recognized in the SCWT breed.

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.…”

“…Glomerulopathies in the dog are transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait in the Bull Terrier; 12 as autosomal recessive traits in the Bernese Mountain Dog, 26 Cocker Spaniel, 10 Shih Tzu, 13 and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier; 21,24 or as an X-linked dominant trait in the Samoyed. 15 In the present study in Bullmastiffs, both sexes were affected with about equal frequency, and clinically normal parents produced male and female dogs with glomerular disease.…”

Evaluation of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsy samples from cats and dogs in an adapter-modified Ussing chamber

“…Some breeds are known to be pre-disposed to gastrointestinal disorders, such as Siamese cats, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, Boxers, and German Shepherds [15,18,22]. This study included one Siamese cat, one Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, two German Shepherds, and one Boxer.…”

Renal dysplasia and urinary tract infection in a Bull Mastiff puppy

“…2,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Familial and juvenile nephropathies are known or suspected to be inherited and the primary lesion may be a glomerulopathy or a tubulointerstitial nephropathy in the presence of minimal inflammation. A small proportion of familial and juvenile nephropathies, such as the familial nephropathy of Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers, Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu dogs, 22,23 may be defined as renal dysplasia.…”