Familial nephropathy in the Cocker Spaniel

Eight cases of familial nephropathy in Cocker Spaniels aged between 10 and 24 months were referred to the Renal Unit of the Small Animals Centre from 1977–1982 (cases 1–8). The disease took a rapid course and progressed to a fatal outcome within 2 months of what may have been an insidious onset. Five of these cases were from litters in which at least one other dog had died with uraemia. Autopsy material was received from twelve other young Cocker Spaniels. In four of these cases urinalysis was performed and in a further four; biochemical evidence of renal failure was obtained. The most striking pathological changes in the kidneys were found in the glomeruli.