Juvenile nephropathies in dogs and cats

RENAL failure, although generally thought to be a condition associated with old age, can be seen at any age and is not uncommon in dogs under five years old. Juvenile nephropathies have been reported in many breeds of dogs; however, there are few instances where a genetic basis has been conclusively demonstrated. In cats, juvenile nephropathies are much rarer ‐ as are most inherited problems ‐ as the vast majority of cats are bred from totally unrelated parents. Some renal diseases have been shown to have a familial basis in dogs and cats, and familial renal diseases are well recognised in people.