Fanconi Syndrome in Irish Wolfhound Siblings.

Three juvenile male Irish wolfhound littermates presented with marked polyuria and polydipsia. The four female siblings were apparently unaffected. Diagnostic testing revealed glucosuria with normoglycemia, generalized aminoaciduria, hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis consistent with Fanconi syndrome. Renal ultrasonographic and histologic findings are presented. Cases were managed with a supplementation regimen based on a treatment protocol for Fanconi syndrome in basenjis. These dogs did not have angular limb deformities as documented previously in juvenile canine siblings with Fanconi syndrome. Fanconi syndrome has not been previously described in Irish wolfhound siblings.

Multiple Genetic Associations with Irish Wolfhound Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs and humans, with dilated cardiomyopathy being a large contributor to this. The Irish Wolfhound (IWH) is one of the most commonly affected breeds and one of the few breeds with genetic loci associated with the disease. Mutations in more than 50 genes are associated with human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), yet very few are also associated with canine DCM. Furthermore, none of the identified canine loci explain many cases of the disease and previous work has indicated that genotypes at multiple loci may act together to influence disease development. In this study, loci previously associated with DCM in IWH were tested for associations in a new cohort both individually and in combination. We have identified loci significantly associated with the disease individually, but no genotypes individually or in pairs conferred a significantly greater risk of developing DCM than the population risk. However combining three loci together did result in the identification of a genotype which conferred a greater risk of disease than the overall population risk. This study suggests multiple rather than individual genetic factors, cooperating to influence DCM risk in IWH.

Long-term tolerability of benazepril in dogs with congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: To test the tolerability of long-term administration of benazepril in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: The study was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 162 dogs with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV heart failure caused by chronic valvular disease (CVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were enrolled. Benazepril (minimum dosage, 0.25 mg/kg) or placebo were administered orally once daily for up to 34 months. In this paper, we report results of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, potassium and urea. RESULTS: The two groups were matched at baseline (p>/=0.18). Plasma creatinine concentrations were lower during treatment with benazepril versus placebo for all dogs (p=0.14) and every sub-group tested (NYHA II, III or IV; CVD; DCM; initial creatinine >124 mumol/L), although statistical significance was not reached (p=0.14-0.6). However, significantly (p=0.035) more cases of creatinine >124 mumol/L during treatment occurred with placebo (47%) as compared to benazepril (30%). Plasma ALT and urea values did not differ between groups for all dogs (p>0.5) or any sub-group (p=0.23-1.0). Plasma potassium values did not differ between groups for all dogs (p>0.5). Although differences approached statistical significance for potassium in some sub-groups (p=0.07-0.1), there were no consistent differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Benazepril was well tolerated during long-term therapy in dogs with CHF and no specific precautions appear to be necessary regarding plasma ALT, creatinine, potassium or urea. The possible action of benazepril in improving renal function (evidenced via lower plasma creatinine) merits further investigation.