Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kidney tissue changes and long-term kidney health in dogs
By Heiene, Reidun et al.·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2007·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Renal histomorphology in dogs with pyometra and control dogs, and long term clinical outcome with respect to signs of kidney disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of female dogs with a serious uterine infection called pyometra were examined for signs of kidney damage. The study found that these dogs had more inflammation and damage in their kidney tissue compared to healthy dogs of the same age. While most of the dogs did not show signs of kidney disease later on, two dogs that had high protein levels in their urine at the time of surgery developed severe kidney failure within three years. This suggests that having protein in the urine could increase the risk of kidney problems after surgery for pyometra.
People also search for: dog pyometra kidney disease · dog protein in urine treatment · signs of kidney failure in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in renal histomorphology are described, while the presence of glomerulonephritis in dogs with pyometra is controversial in current literature. METHODS: Dogs with pyometra were examined retrospectively for evidence of secondary renal damage and persisting renal disease through two retrospective studies. In Study 1, light microscopic lesions of renal tissue were graded and compared in nineteen dogs with pyometra and thirteen age-matched control bitches. In Study 2, forty-one owners of dogs with pyometra were interviewed approximately 8 years after surgery for evidence of clinical signs of renal failure in order to document causes of death/euthanasia. RESULTS: Interstitial inflammation and tubular atrophy were more pronounced in dogs with pyometra than in the control animals. Glomerular lesions classified as glomerular sclerosis were present in both groups. No unequivocal light microscopic features of glomerulonephritis were observed in bitches in any of the groups. Two bitches severely proteinuric at the time of surgery had developed end stage renal disease within 3 years. In five of the bitches polyuria persisted after surgery. Most bitches did not show signs of kidney disease at the time of death/euthanasia. CONCLUSION: Tubulointerstitial inflammation was observed, but glomerular damage beyond age-related changes could not be demonstrated by light microscopy in the dogs with pyometra. However, severe proteinuria after surgery may predispose to development of renal failure.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17480218/