My dog has high protein in her urine. What causes it and how to treat?

Poor girl. Depending on how much protein was found in the urine and her urine protein ratio, as well as clinical symptoms, a biopsy may not be needed. In addition, biopsies are indicated when there is detectable abnormal looking organs. So if the kidneys look abnormal on ultrasound, then a biopsy can be done to definitively diagnose the kidney condition. However, in some cases a biopsy isn't needed if it is obvious what the condition is. I would recommend starting with the ultrasound and also I would then consult with another vet who can go over all her lab findings and come up with a game plan for Dotty. If you wish you can also get all her medical records and then request a consultation with one of the experts here to go over her case more in detail. I hope that your pet Dotty has some improvement with her values soon. Best wishes and take care.

If a UTI has been ruled out by urine culture, then protein losing nephropathy can be suspected as the cause, and an ACEI such as enalapril or benazepril can be used. I believe there is a newer medication on the US market for this purpose in dogs, but I can't remember it now! I just learned about it at a lecture a few months ago. I don't typically treat borderline high BP, but if the PLN is real then the ACEI will certain help lower the BP to decrease protein loss. Beta blockers would be the next step, but I haven't needed to use them personally. Here is an article you may find helpful on canine hypertension: https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnosing-and-treating-hypertension-proceedings-0 And another for PLN: https://www.dvm360.com/view/protein-losing-nephropathy-proceedings

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Oaklee. That particular diet is great for skin disease and is worth a try if you have not had luck with her previous treatments. The protein in the urine is unlikely related to the skin disease. It can mean several things. First, if she has a urinary tract infection, that will increase the protein level in the urine. If this is not the case based on the urinalysis, then I recommend a test known as a urine protein creatinine ratio to measure the exact amount of protein in the urine. If this ratio comes back elevated, then she will need treatment to help limit the protein loss in the urine as it is an indicator of kidney disease in a dog. I typically will measure blood pressure next and run bloodwork if it has not been done recently. Then I will start a medication. I hope this information helps!

Poor Peanut! I'm assuming that he's been diagnosed with either PLE (protein-losing enteropathy) or lymphangiectasia - both of these disorders would cause the symptoms that you describe, and are unfortunately fairly common in Yorkies and Yorkie mixes. You are correct that many dogs with these problems can benefit from an additional immunosuppressant drug like azathioprine (Imuran) in combination with prednisone. Many vets are reluctant to do this without a definitive diagnosis via biopsy since there can be some dangerous side effects to these medications, but it's definitely something that you could discuss with your veterinarian. Vitamin B12 is also helpful in many cases, and I would definitely suggest starting this with Peanut since there are no risks or side effects with it. Many dogs also benefit from a prescription hypoallergenic diet like Hills z/d or Purina HA, so this is also something that you could discuss with your vet if you haven't already.

Yes a hydrolyzed diet such as royal canin hypoallergenic can be very helpful. In cases which respond well to treatment a near normal quality and life expectancy can exist. Some cases are less responsive and can struggle to maintain health and fitness despite immunosuppressive and chemotherapy medications but it would take 10-12 weeks before any assessment could be made on her progress

Protein loss typically occurs either though the GI tract or the kidneys, and will lead to edema as you are describing. The first step to figuring out where the protein is going is to do a urinalysis. If there are significant amounts of protein in the urine, this points to the kidneys as the source of the protein loss. Tick borne disease - most typically Lyme disease - will cause this, and treatment doesn't usually reverse this complication. Other causes of renal protein loss include glomerularnephritis and renal amyloidosis. These diseases must be diagnosed with a biopsy of the kidney, and typically have a poor prognosis. If there is no protein being lost in the urine, chances are good that the protein is being lost through the GI tract. These diseases can be diagnosed with a biopsy of the GI tract, but ultrasound examination of the intestines can provide a clue that this is what is going on. Typically these types of conditions respond to a diet change and sometimes treatment with steroids. I urge you to get Dixie examined by a veterinary internal medicine specialist, who can do some advanced diagnostics and figure out what can be done to help Dixie at this point.

It doesn't look like Pitambar received a urinalysis. This test needs to be run to help stage the renal disease or if dehydration is present and causing the increase in the renal values. Talk with your veterinarian about having this test run asap: https://www.petcoach.co/article/urinalysis-testing-a-urine-sample/ There is another test called an SDMA which will help stage renal disease: https://www.idexx.com/en/veterinary/reference-laboratories/sdma/ Pitambar should also have a urine protein:creatine ratio run to check for protein loss and the need to medication to control that if it is present. This website discusses how renal disease is staged: https://www.idexx.com/en/veterinary/reference-laboratories/sdma/sdma-iris/ Kidney disease is serious and if caught early, many pets will respond to easy treatment and this will not only slow down disease process but will also increase the life expectancy. Often the first step is changing the diet to a prescription diet meant for pets who have kidney disease. These diets have lower protein, phosphorus and high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, higher amounts of antioxidants and have a higher calorie amount. Supplementing with an additional omega 3 fatty acid can also help. Pitambar will need followup bloodwork and a urinalysis 4-6 weeks after starting treatment. As things progress, other treatments will be needed. https://www.petcoach.co/article/kidney-disease-causes-signs-diagnosis-and-treatment/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.