This can be a hereditary condition in Miniature Bull Terriers. You can get a UPC test done (urine protein:creatinine ratio) test carried out (it costs about £13) to test your dog’s kidney function. For breeding purposes this should be less than 0.3. (SEE THE HEALTH PAGE FOR DETAILS OF TEST CENTRES)
TO TRY AND ERADICATE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THE SMBTC STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL IT’S MEMBERS CARRY OUT A UPC TEST AND/OR ULTRASOND SCAN OF THE KIDNEYS PRIOR TO BREEDING AND DO NOT BREED FROM ANY DOG WITH A UPC OF 0.3 OR MORE OR THAT SHOWS SIGNS OF POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE
A simple way to work out the UPC ratio is as follows;
I have had some people calling recently concerned that their UPC tests were coming back as surprisingly high, especially as the same dogs had tested normal only a few months previously. It appears that some laboratories have changed their measurement system and that this has changed the way the results are reported. This may have implications if you are applying for an interbreeding pass, so I thought I would set out how to go about converting your readings as follows: Both the Urine Protein result and the Urine Creatinine result must be in the same measurement to be able to work out the ratio – ie. both measured in mg/dL or both in g/L. To work out the conversion you need to know that 0.01 g/l = 1 mg/dL (for example a reading of 0.29 g/l converts to 29 mg/dL). 1 umol/l = 88 mg/dL (for example a reading of 35740 umols/l converts to 406.13 when you divide it by 88). Now that both readings are in the same value ( ie mg/dL) you simply divide the SMALL number by the LARGE number (in this case 29 divided by 406) and this gives you the UPC ratio (in this case 0.071).
**It is important to remember that the UPC test only tests the kidney function at that point in time and is not an indicator of future disease.
Terry Heath has rather wonderfully started a fund towards research into kidney disease by the Animal Health Trust to be able to find a DNA test for Bull Terriers. She has very kindly agreed to include Miniature Bull Terriers. The target is £11000 and so however small your donation it will be greatly appreciated.
You can find a link to her site below:
http://www.justgiving.com/Terry-Heath/?fb_ref=fundraising-page-top&fb_source=profile_oneline
If your Mini has suffered kidney disease or is diagnosed as having kidney disease it would be incredibly valuable and kind if you would ask your vet to take a DNA sample for the AHT. It is a simple cheek swab in the same way as the PLL test was and you should be able to do this at home instead if you wish, as instructions are provided. If you would like a kit you can either contact the Bryan McLaughlan at the Animal Health Trust or me and I will obtain you a kit.
PLEASE HELP WITH THIS STUDY IF YOU CAN AS I AM HEARING OF MORE CASES OF KIDNEY DISEASE IN MINIS AND IF WE CAN HELP TO GET ANOTHER DNA TEST FOR OUR LOVELY BREED IT WILL BE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD.
Jane Peakin – Secretary SMBTC