Familial renal disease in Soft‐coated Wheaten Terriers

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn two litters of Soft‐coated Wheaten Terriers, having the same parents, chronic renal failure developed in five out of ten dogs. The dogs died, or were destroyed on humane grounds, at 7 to 30 months of age.Clinical signs were inappetence, weight loss, vomiting, depression and, in two cases, polydipsia and polyuria. The laboratory data revealed isosthenuria, non‐regenerative anaemia, extremely high serum urea nitrogen, and creatinine values.Pathoanatomical findings included small kidneys with an irregular and pale external surface. Cortical lesions were mostly segmental in distribution, and consisted of loss of glomerular elements and increased interstitial connective tissue. Medullary lesions were severe, diffuse in distribution, and consisted of loss of tubules and proliferation of connective tissue.The clinical, laboratory, and pathoanatomical findings show similarities to renal diseases seen in young dogs of other breeds.