Study shows kidney damage found in 25 percent of apparently healthy dogs

Fort Collins, Colo.-A recent study of more than 3,000 veterinary staff-owned dogs from more than 350 veterinary clinics across the United States found evidence of early kidney damage in approximately one out of every four dogs.

The study's sponsor, Heska Corp., says, it is the largest study everconducted on the prevalence of microalbuminuria (small amounts of albuminin the urine) in dogs, and the results indicate that early kidney damagemay be more widespread than previously thought.

In this study, 751 of 3,041 (24.7 percent) dogs tested positive for microalbuminuriaand a statistically significant

(P < 0.0001) correlation between increasing age and positive testresults was observed.

The study found the prevalence of microalbuminuria to be 8.2 percentin dogs that were 5 years of age or younger. However, the prevalence increaseddramatically to 20 percent in dogs 6 to 8 years of age, to 36 percent indogs 9 to 11 years of age and to 49 percent in dogs at least 12 years ofage.

These results indicate that annual screening for microalbuminuria isa valuable addition to regular health exams in dogs 6 years of age and older,Heska says. Annual testing and the treatment of the underlying causes ofmicroalbuminuria may mitigate the long-term impact of kidney damage.

The study was conducted using Heska Corp.'s Canine E.R.D.-Screen UrineTest, an in-clinic test developed to detect microalbuminuria in dogs.

"Kidney disease, a leading cause of death in dogs, is often calleda "silent killer" because by the time the pet begins to show clinicalsigns, 70 ­ 80 percent of the kidney function has already been lost,"says Dr. Wayne Jensen, senior director of research and development at Heska."Early detection of glomerular damage, when underlying causes can beidentified and treated or managed, is critical to preventing progressionto end-stage renal disease."