Clinico-biochemical and ultrasonographic evaluation of renal failure in dogs

Abstract

The study on “clinico-biochemical and ultrasonographic evaluation of renal failure in dogs” was conducted on 23 dogs. The parameters studied were signalment, history and clinical signs, physical examination findings, ultrasonography of the kidney, haematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis, urine protein creatinine ratio, urinary enzymes as markers of renal disease, response to treatment, peritoneal dialysis as a treatment option and postmortem examination and histopathology. All the renal failure cases studied were associated with nephrotoxic drugs, microfilariosis, pyometra, prostatic enlargement, pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis or leptospirosis. The cases were divided into renal failure following exposure to nephrotoxic drugs, microfilariosis, pyometra, prostatic enlargement, pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis or leptospirosis. The haematological and biochemical values of the diseased animals varied from that of normal animals and did not show any significant difference with the values measured after seven days of treatment indicating that it was not effective. The most common ultrasonographic pattern was hyperechoic kidneys with lack of corticomedullary distinction indicating fibrotic changes in kidney which was confirmed by postmortem examination and histopathology. Estimation of urinary enzymes NAG, GGT and ALP were done in selected animals. There was a sharp difference between diseased and healthy animals. It was concluded from this study that for effective treatment and management of canine renal diseases, early diagnosis and treatment is a must and that for achieving this goal ultrasonography and estimation of urinary enzymes can be used as effective tools.