Background: The prevalence of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephropathy (ICGN) in dogs with proteinuric kidney disease is approximately 50% in the United States and Europe. In Australia and New Zealand, the prevalence of ICGN in these dogs is unknown.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ICGN in dogs biopsied for proteinuric kidney disease in Australia and New Zealand. Animals: 50 client-owned dogs.
Methods: Retrospective case series. Reports from renal biopsies submitted to the Texas and International Veterinary Renal Pathology Services from dogs in Australia and New Zealand between 2007 and 2023 were reviewed. Dogs were included if the biopsy was performed for investigation of proteinuric kidney disease where the urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) was >1.0. Clinical data were reviewed and descriptive statistics created.
Results: Among 50 dogs (median age, 6 years; interquartile range [IQR], 4-10 years) with proteinuric renal disease (median UPCR, 4.1; IQR, 2.8-9.0; median serum creatinine concentration, 2.0 mg/dL; IQR, 1.1-3.4 mg/dL), 15 dogs (30%) had ICGN and 35 (70%) had non-ICGN. The most common category of ICGN was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (5/15; 33%). Glomerulosclerosis was the most common category of non-ICGN (17/35; 49%).Conclusions and clinical importance: The prevalence of ICGN is lower in Australian and New Zealand dogs biopsied for proteinuric kidney disease compared to the United States and Europe, potentially due to lower prevalence of infectious disease such as tickborne disease. The lower prevalence of ICGN highlights the importance of renal biopsy in these dogs to optimize treatment.
