The Relevance of Screening for Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs with Proteinuria Living in an Endemic Region: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

This study aims to assess the main causes of proteinuria in dogs from the region of Lisbon (Portugal), estimating the relevance of screening for canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs). A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. Medical records from proteinuric dogs (urinary protein–creatinine ratio > 0.5) presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital over a two-year period were reviewed for signalment, established diagnosis, proteinuria origin, and CVBD screening results. A total of 106 dogs were included. The median age was 9.5 years old (IQR: 7–12). Proteinuria was considered of renal origin in 76% of cases (46% of them had a presumptive diagnosis of glomerulonephritis secondary to CVBD, 27% chronic kidney disease, 26% systemic disease possible to induce proteinuria, and 1% leptospirosis). Proteinuria was classified as post-renal or mixed-origin in 17% and 7% of cases, respectively. About 35% of proteinuric dogs were positive for at least one CVBD. Of them, 84% were seropositive for one CVBD, while 16% tested positive for two or more. Among dogs testing positive for CVBD, 89% were seropositive for Leishmania infantum. This study showed that about one-third of proteinuric dogs tested positive for CVBDs, highlighting the relevance of their screening in dogs with proteinuria living in endemic regions.