Hereditary nephritis in a miniature bull terrier
Hood, J.C.; Craig, A.J.
Veterinary Record 135(6): 138-140
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7975107 Document Number: 423538
A 4-year-old Miniature Bull Terrier was referred with a 3- to 4-week history of inappetence, weight loss and vomiting. Based on the presence of proteinuria, isosthenuria and azotaemia, renal failure and glomerulopathy was diagnosed. When there was no longer a response to conservative therapy the dog was destroyed. Microscopic examination of renal tissue samples detected lesions characteristic of hereditary nephritis seen in Bull Terriers including glomerular tuft atrophy and cystic dilation of Bowman's capsular spaces; these changes were not, in general, associated with glomerular fibrosis. Analysis of the dog's pedigree identified the presence of Bull Terrier ancestry, a high level of inbreeding and the presence of other affected related dogs. This report presents evidence for the occurrence of hereditary nephritis in the Minature Bull Terrier.