Transient proximal renal tubular acidosis and Fanconi syndrome in a dog

A 9-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for anorexia, lethargy, and vomiting of 5 days' duration. Laboratory abnormalities included azotemia, high liver enzyme activities, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, glucosuria, ketonuria, proteinuria, and aminoaciduria. These laboratory abnormalities were diagnostic of proximal renal tubular acidosis and Fanconi syndrome. Results of initial and convalescent serologic tests for leptospirosis were negative. The dog was treated with amoxicillin, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium citrate at discharge. Repeated evaluations revealed resolution of the acidosis, azotemia, proteinuria, glucosuria, ketonuria, and high liver enzyme activities. Alkali administration was gradually discontinued, and the dog was clinically normal 8 months after discharge. The dog's clinical condition appeared to have been transient in nature, a phenomenon that is rarely seen in human or veterinary medicine.