Juvenile renal disease in related Standard Poodles

Chronic renal failure was diagnosed in 6 young Standard Poodles from 2 related litters. Clinically, the disease was characterized by polydipsia, polyuria, anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, and bony deformities suggestive of fibrous osteodystrophy. Laboratory evaluation revealed azotemia and hypercholesterolemia in all 6 dogs and nonregenerative anemia in 3 dogs. Two dogs had hyperphosphatemia and another 2 were hypercalcemic. Isosthenuria and proteinuria were found in both dogs for which urinalyses were available. The kidneys were characterized pathologically by interstitial fibrosis, variable interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells, tubular atrophy, tubular dilatation, tubular basement membrane mineralization, cystic glomerular atrophy, and immaturity of glomeruli, with inconspicuous capillary lumens.