Glomerulonephritis in Dogs

Glomerulonephritis in Dogs

By: Dr. Arnold Plotnick

Section: Information In-depth

The kidneys filter waterFresh Flow Pet Fountain
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Glomeruli can be damaged by inflammation and become leaky. This is called glomerulonephritis. Very large things, such as red and whiteCrystal Eye 4oz
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Glomerulonephritis occurs when large numbers of immune complexes – these are antigen-antibody complexes – circulating in the bloodstream become trapped in the glomeruli as they attempt to pass into the urine. Deposition of immune complexes triggers an inflammatory reaction that damages the glomeruli and results in proteinuria. The antigens bound to the antibodies in the immune complexes arise as a result of some chronic infectious, inflammatory or cancerous disease process. Several diseases have the potential to result in glomerulonephritis.

The clinical symptoms of glomerulonephritis are quite variable.

  • Affected dogs may have no symptoms at all. In this instance, glomerular disease first is suspected by the finding of proteinuria on a routine urinalysis.

  • Some dogs may have signs of chronic kidney failure such as poor appetite, lethargy, weight loss, poor hair coatHerbal Groom Shampoo 12 oz
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  • Some dogs may have symptoms related to sudden blockage of major blood vessels by a blood clot (thromboembolism). Vessels commonly blocked include the lung arteries, which causes rapid breathing or panting, rapid heart rate and high body temperature, and iliac arteries, which causes sudden loss of use of the rear limbs. Thromboembolism is a medical emergency and your pet should be seen by a veterinarian promptly.

  • Some dogs may have symptoms related to systemic hypertension. Often the first symptom recognized is acute onset of blindness due to detachment of the retina or bleeding into the retina. This complication is a medical emergency and your pet should be seen by a veterinarian promptly.

  • Some dogs may have symptoms of an underlying infectious, inflammatory or cancerous disease process that predisposes the animal to glomerulonephritis.

  • Some dogs may have symptoms of subcutaneous edema, including swollen paws, face, hocks (ankles) or scrotum in males, or a swollen abdomen caused by fluid accumulation, known as ascites.

    Causes

  • Viral infections
  • Infectious hepatitis in dogs (canine adenovirus 1)
  • Bacterial infections
  • Lyme disease (borreliosis)
  • Ehrlichiosis (an infectious disease transmitted by ticks)
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (another disease transmitted by ticks)
  • Brucellosis (an infectious disease)
  • Dermatitis (infection of the skin)
  • Gingivitis (infection of the gums)
  • Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves)
  • Prostatitis (infection of the prostate)
  • Pyometra (infection of the uterus)
  • Chronic fungal infections
  • Heartworm disease
  • Leishmaniasis (a protozoal infection rarely encountered in the United States and transmitted by sandflies)

    Non-infectious inflammatory diseases that have been associated with glomerulonephritis include:

  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Immune-mediated polyarthritis (inflammation of the joints)
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disorder)
  • Neoplasia (cancer)
  • Lymphosarcoma
  • Mast cell tumor
  • Other tumors

    Despite the long list of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic disease processes that can result in glomerulonephritis, in as many as 75 to 80 percent of dogs and cats with glomerulonephritis, the underlying cause cannot be identified and the disorder is referred to as "idiopathic."

    Many other medical problems can lead to symptoms similar to those encountered in petsStain and Odor Remover
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