A Veterinary Record letter published 16th January 2016 (click image below) from David Walker at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists and Rosanne Jepson at the Royal Veterinary College offer vets a free glomerular filtration rate (GFR) kidney test for dogs with skin lesions.
Dogs with cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV or ‘Alabama Rot’) initially show signs of skin lesions over their legs, stomach, tongue or face. Up to ten days later, dogs develop acute kidney injury (AKI).
It is difficult for vets to make an early diagnosis of CRGV because skin lesions can arise from many causes.
The GFR test is a direct measure of how well the kidney is performing. The test, which indicate early kidney damage, is potentially more sensitive than measurement of compounds like urea and creatinine. Test results are known within 24 hours allowing vets to make an early CRGV diagnosis.
This will allow more dogs to be treated early on before AKI develops - fewer dogs should die of CRGV.
GFR is not a measure of the levels of nitrogen-based compounds, but is a direct measure of how well the kidney is performing. It is potentially more sensitive than measurement of compounds like urea and creatinine.
Thanks Sam, I’ll update the post with this info.