Arterial blood pressure, proteinuria, and renal histopathology in clinically healthy retired racing greyhounds.
BACKGROUND
Physiologic peculiarities of Greyhounds as compared to other dogs make interpretation of laboratory results in this breed challenging for veterinarians. Hypertension in retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) can contribute to microalbuminuria (MA), overt proteinuria, and renal histologic lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinicopathologic findings, hemodynamic status, and renal histology in a population of healthy RRG.


METHODS
RRG presented to Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for inclusion in a spay and neuter program.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. RRG were classified as normotensive (<160 mmHg) or hypertensive (>160 mmHg) based on blood pressure (BP) determinations using Doppler and oscillometric methods. Of the dogs evaluated, 62% (n = 29) were hypertensive and 38% (n = 18) were normotensive. Health status was evaluated using routine clinicopathologic tests (CBC, serum biochemistry, urinalysis) as well as evaluation of fractional excretion of electrolytes and MA determinations. Adequate renal biopsy specimens (n = 15) were evaluated using light, immunofluoresence, and electron microscopy.


RESULTS
All serum biochemistry results were normal in 45/49 dogs, but MA was more common in hypertensive (84% positive for MA) as compared with normotensive (18% positive for MA) RRG. Observed renal lesions were mild and renal biopsy scores were low in this sample of RRG.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is common in RRG and might be breed-related. It is associated with MA, but observed renal lesions are mild. Whether or not hypertension and MA in RRG leads to progressive renal damage requires longitudinal study.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. s.surman@uq.edu.au
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Surman
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Dibartola
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D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000662:veterinary*; D013177:Sports