Familial nephropathy in Bracchi Italiani: 8 cases (2012–2019)

OBJECTIVE To characterize the signalment, clinical signs, clinical pathological and histologic findings, and outcome in 8 related Bracchi Italiani with proteinuric kidney disease. ANIMALS 8 client-owned Bracchi Italiani. PROCEDURES Health records submitted to the Bracco Italiano Health Foundation and the Bracco Italiano Club of America between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed for dogs with evidence of nephropathy for which histologic diagnoses were obtained. Pedigree, signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic test results (including microscopic examination of kidney tissue samples collected ante- or postmortem), and outcome were acquired. Results were presented as descriptive statistics. RESULTS The most common clinical sign in affected dogs was inappetence. All dogs were proteinuric, and 4 dogs were azotemic. Seven dogs developed clinical signs of kidney disease and were euthanized a median of 75 days postdiagnosis. Six dogs had glomerular amyloidosis, and 1 dog each had nephrosclerosis and nonamyloidotic fibrillar glomerulopathy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that the clinical presentation may vary in affected dogs, and proteinuria in young or middle-aged Bracchi Italiani should raise the concern for hereditary nephropathy. Prognosis is likely poor once clinical signs are noted.

Early diagnosis of familial nephropathy in English cocker spaniels

Two litters of English cocker spaniels (ECSs) produced by familial nephropathy (FN) carriers were evaluated to characterize the early features of this disease. Three puppies developed FN. Proteinuria, which began when these puppies were five-to-eight months old, was the first abnormality detected. Proteinuria persisted while each puppy's growth rate slowed, and renal function gradually deteriorated. The interval from onset of proteinuria to development of azotemia was two-to-nine months. Characteristic glomerular capillary basement membrane (GCBM) lesions were seen with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of renal biopsy specimens obtained during this interval. Ultrastructural GCBM lesions progressed substantially during the interval from biopsy to necropsy. However, routine light microscopic findings did not allow definitive diagnosis of FN in either biopsy or necropsy specimens. Detection of FN can be accomplished by screening at-risk ECSs for proteinuria. Renal biopsies are required to confirm the diagnosis in dogs for which proteinuria cannot be explained otherwise. Percutaneous needle biopsy specimens sufficient for TEM must be used to examine the GCBM to make a definitive diagnosis.