Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Glucocorticoids don't raise urine protein in dogs with inflammatory
By Wood, Cameron J et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·BluePearl Veterinary Partners, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Glucocorticoids do not cause a clinically relevant elevation in the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio in dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (iPLE) were treated with glucocorticoids like prednisone to help manage their gastrointestinal symptoms. While their urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) did increase slightly during treatment, it remained well below levels that would indicate serious kidney issues. The dogs also showed improvement in their clinical signs, with a significant decrease in their disease activity scores. This suggests that glucocorticoids can be safely used in these dogs without causing major kidney problems.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to document changes in the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) in dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (iPLE) undergoing glucocorticoid therapy and with no overt evidence of concurrent renal disease. METHODS: Dogs with histologically confirmed iPLE, a serum albumin level of <2.0 g/dL, gastrointestinal signs for ≥2 weeks, and no recent glucocorticoid use were prospectively enrolled at any of the four referral centers between 24 December 2020 and 25 May 2023. Dogs with azotemia, hepatopathy, urinary sediment abnormalities, or confirmed intestinal parasites were excluded. All dogs received prednisone or prednisolone (1 mg/kg BID), clopidogrel, and a new hypoallergenic or low-fat diet. Repeat urinalysis, UPC measurement, urine culture, blood pressure measurement, and serum chemistry analysis were performed after 1-2 weeks (T1) and 2-3 months (T2). Canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) scores were assessed at T0 and T1 for correlation with UPC. RESULTS: Twelve dogs with iPLE were enrolled. Eight dogs were excluded due to comorbidities, loss to follow-up, or euthanasia. The median UPC increased from baseline (0.10) to T1 (0.25) and T2 (0.30). No dog had a UPC of >0.9. Mean CCECAI scores decreased from baseline (8.75) to T1 (3.08). UPC correlated with CCECAI at baseline [(95%CI) 0.71 (0.22-0.91)], but not at follow-up [T1:(95%CI) 0.04 (-0.55-0.60)] or changed from T0 to T1 [(95%CI) 0.15 (-0.67-0.46)]. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoids increase the UPC in dogs with iPLE to the same extent as has previously been shown in healthy dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinically significant proteinuria in iPLE dogs treated with glucocorticoids should prompt clinicians to consider alternative etiologies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41659955/