August 2009

08
Text

 

History: Dog, German shepherd, 17 months.

Diagnosis: Progressive juvenile nephropathy

Description: Both kidneys were shrunken, pale and firm. The surface was pitted and showed a multifocal to coalescing fine white stippling. The cut surface exhibited small cysts up to 5 mm in diameter. The cortical glomeruli appeared prominent white and mineralized.

Comments: Progressive juvenile nephropathy has been described in young dogs of several breeds. Although in most dogs a familial tendency is demonstrated, the mode of inheritance has been determined in only a few dog breeds. The disease usually occurs in dogs not older than 2 year. Breeds affected by the disease comprises Cocker spaniels, Norwegian elkhounds, Doberman pinschers, Samoyeds, Lhasa apsos, Shih Tzus, Soft-coated Wheaten terriers, Bull terriers, Poodles, Miniature schnauzers, German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes, Keeshonds, Golden retrievers, Weimaraners and Chow chows. Typical renal histological lesions are dysplasia, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Author: Philipp Olias, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany