Renal Dysplasia in Dogs

Category: Urinary & Reproductive
Inheritance: Autosomal dominant, incomplete penetrance
Breeds documented: 8
Published sources: 7

Overview

Kidneys that develop abnormally before birth may contain immature, disorganized tissue that cannot work normally. This developmental problem is called renal dysplasia and can affect one or both kidneys. As kidney function declines, waste that should leave in urine builds up in the blood. Affected young dogs may drink and urinate excessively, grow poorly, and develop signs of kidney failure.

Signs to watch for

Drinking much more than usual.
Passing unusually large amounts of urine.
Growing poorly as a puppy.
Losing weight or interest in food as kidney disease advances.
Vomiting or becoming unusually tired.

Waste buildup often becomes evident from 6 months to 2 years old.

When to get help Arrange a vet visit promptly if a young dog drinks excessively, urinates more, or grows poorly.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet considers the age when signs began, examines the dog, and uses blood and urine tests to assess kidney function. Ultrasound may show small or abnormal-looking kidneys. A kidney biopsy can confirm the diagnosis by revealing immature structures and disorganized kidney tissue under a microscope.

Breeds with documented risk

8 breeds

By breed size

2 Small
4 Medium
2 Large

Golden RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group
BoxerLarge · Working Group
Shih TzuSmall · Toy Group
Soft Coated Wheaten TerrierMedium · Terrier Group
Lhasa ApsoSmall · Non-Sporting Group
Nederlandse KooikerhondjeMedium · Sporting Group
Finnish HoundMedium · FCI Group 6 (Scent Hounds)
WhoodleMedium

Inheritance

This condition has more than one known form, and different breeds inherit it in different ways. The sources list the form found in each breed.

Autosomal dominant, incomplete penetrance
Shih Tzu
One copy can be enough, but not every dog with the variant develops the condition, and severity can vary. A DNA result shows risk, not certainty.
As stated by OMIA
Autosomal recessive
Norwich Terrier
A dog is affected only if it inherits two copies of the gene variant, one from each parent. A dog with one copy is a carrier: usually healthy, but able to pass the variant on. When two carriers are bred, on average one puppy in four is affected. A DNA test can tell clear, carrier and at-risk dogs apart.
As stated by OMIA

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.