How is proteinuria determined to be persistent?
Proteinuria can be transient and not associated with renal disease, therefore, it must be determined to be persistent. Persistent renal proteinuria in nonazotemic animals is a sign of early renal disease. After the urine protein is localized to the kidney and evidence of lower urinary tract disease is not identified, it must be determined to be persistent. Persistence in nonazotemic animals is determined by identifying proteinuria on three or more occasions at least two weeks apart. By detecting the damage to the kidneys before azotemia is present and the patient’s urine concentration ability is impaired, the veterinarian can minimize disease progression and improve the patient’s prognosis. If the animal is azotemic and proteinuric, and lower urinary tract disease is excluded, the proteinuria can be attributed to renal disease. back to the top 1 Advanstar Communications. Proteinuria and Renal Disease: A Round-Table Discussion. Lenexa, Ka: Advanstar Healthcare Veterinary Communications.
