Yes, if a dog has prolonged total ureteral obstruction from any cause, kidneys can and do suffer damage, and kidney damage can be life-threatening. The protein does not directly cause the damage to the kidneys, though. The obstruction by the urate crystals causes the damage. Dalmatians and English Bulldogs are the breeds genetically most at risk for this, as well as small dogs with portosystemic shunts. Another risk factor is high purine intake, found in organ meats. Abstracts below.
The problem in this discussion is the definition of "intolerance". Initially it was being used as it pertained to allergies, then to how it pertains to formation of urate crystals. The problem with kidney failure secondary to urate crystal formation is not one of allergies, but is one of a genetic defect inherent in the dalmatian breed. I don't know of any dog that is allergic to all proteins, or even high protein. If they are allergic to chicken and beef, there are alternative diets such as catfish & potato, kangaroo, etc. There are also vegetarian diets for dogs, but they, of course, do contain proteins, just non-animal ones. Once a dog has kidney failure, due to whatever cause, it may not be able to handle as much protein, due to the lack of healthy nephrons left to filter metabolites. But some protein will still be required in the diet. Recent studies have shown that, contrary to what we used to believe, dogs (and people) even those with kidney failure, will suffer adverse effects if the protein in the diet is too restricted. There is a such thing as "too low" protein diet for animals/people with kidney failure. I don't have time to look for that study right now -- am off to go horseback riding. Leanne 1: J Nutr 1991 Nov;121(11 Suppl):S128-39 Influence of dietary protein on renal function in dogs.Bovee KC.School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104. Results failed to find a pattern of deterioration of renal function over 4 y. Light microscopic changes and electron microscopy also failed to find glomerular injury similar to that reported in rodents. These results do not support the hypothesis that feeding a high protein diet had a significant adverse effect on renal function or morphology. ******* 2: Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1986 Jan;16(1):127-31 Genetic predisposition to purine uroliths in Dalmatian dogs.Schaible RH. Homozygosity for a defective recessive gene results in all Dalmatians having elevated concentrations of urine uric acid and predisposes them to formation of purine uroliths. ******* ----- Original Message ----- > Dalmatians, as well as other dogs who suffer from too high protein diets, can > do more than form crystals. Their kidneys can and do simply shut down. If > the owner is unobservant, the dog can die from this, of course. ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author. > Peggy
