Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Day-to-day urine protein variation in female dogs with hereditary
By Nabity, Mary B et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Day-to-Day variation of the urine protein: creatinine ratio in female dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria caused by X-linked hereditary nephropathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 48 female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (a genetic kidney condition) were studied to understand how much their urine protein levels varied from day to day. The researchers found that if the urine protein levels were stable, a single test could be enough to get a reliable reading when the levels were low. However, if the levels were high, they recommended taking multiple tests to get an accurate picture. This information can help veterinarians better interpret urine tests for dogs with kidney issues, ensuring they provide the best care possible.
People also search for: dog kidney disease symptoms · female dog proteinuria treatment · urine protein test results in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Interpretation of serial urine protein:creatinine (UPC) values is confounded by a lack of data regarding random biologic variation of UPC values in dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria. HYPOTHESIS: That there is minimal day-to-day variability in the UPC of dogs with unchanging proteinuria and the number of measurements needed to reliably estimate UPC varies with the magnitude of proteinuria. ANIMALS: Forty-eight heterozygous (carrier) female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) causing stable proteinuria. METHODS: Urine samples were obtained daily by cystocentesis for 3 consecutive days on 183 occasions (549 samples). The UPC was measured for each sample with a single dry-film chemistry auto-analyzer. Data were analyzed retrospectively by a power of the mean model because the variance of UPC values within the 3-day evaluation periods increased as the magnitude of proteinuria increased. RESULTS: To demonstrate a significant difference (P < .05) between serial values in these proteinuric dogs, the UPC must change by at least 35% at high UPC values (near 12) and 80% at low UPC values (near 0.5). One measurement is adequate to reliably estimate the UPC when UPC <4, but 2-5 determinations are necessary at higher UPC values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These guidelines for interpretation of serial UPC values in female dogs with XLHN may also be helpful for interpretation of UPC values in dogs with other glomerulopathies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17552446/