Familial idiopathic glomerulonephropathy in Dogs

Breeds documented
1
Published sources
3

Overview

This family-associated kidney disorder damages the glomeruli, the tiny structures that filter blood. A report of related Doberman Pinschers described progressive disease with inflammation and thickening inside these filters. Affected dogs often first drank and urinated more and lost weight. Damage to these filters can let protein escape into urine and lead to chronic kidney disease.

Signs to watch for

  • Drinking more than usual
  • Passing more urine than usual
  • Unexplained weight loss

In one reported Doberman family, signs often appeared by one year of age.

When to get help Book a vet visit soon for increased thirst, increased urination, or unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets investigate persistent protein loss in urine and use blood tests to assess kidney function. The family history helps identify a possible familial pattern. A kidney biopsy, meaning a small tissue sample, can identify the filter damage and distinguish it from other kidney diseases.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size
  • 1 Large

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. merckvetmanual.com
  3. Doberman Pinscher: vin.com