Diagnostic tests for JKD in Boxers

Blood analysis
  1. JKD of the kidneys can lead to urinary 'reflux' and secondary recurrent or chronic uterine tract infections (UTIs). A blood test will help identify the presence of any infection. UTI's will require antibiotic treatment.
  2. For protein and urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPC) to determine protein loss and the stage of kidney failure. It only detects damage as symptoms appear and this is only when 70 - 75% of the combined two kidneys have been damaged. 
  3. Full blood cell count, renal function, phosphorous, calcium and protein levels.
  4. Blood pressure will also be checked.



     Kidney ultrasound scanning
  1. Screens for missing or underdeveloped kidneys.
  2. Scan can detect distortion, scarring and dysplasia.
  3. May require sedation to perform this procedure.


Necropsy of biopsied or post-mortem kidney material
  1. The JKD kidney is not fully developed, it has a distorted architecture and may contain immature cells that do not function properly.  These defects occur in utero, dogs are born with the defects; they do not occur after birth or result from later trauma or environmental factors.
  2. JKD/RD studies in Sweden relies entirely upon post-mortem necropsies, whereas elsewhere, principally because of concerns over biopsy discomfort to the dog and the veterinary and laboratory costs, diagnosis routinely rely solely upon blood and urine analysis together with the clinical findings.
Picture
Abnormal kidneys from a Boxer Image kindly by permission of Ø. KOLBJØRNSEN, M. HEGGELUND, AND J. H. JANSEN
Gene tests
  • There are currently no valid DNA tests for JKD in Boxers 
  • A Canadian company, DOGenes, continues to offer a test despite a published ‘expression of concern’ by the journal that presented the original work
  • The test can now be discounted as a test in Boxers. Click here to see weblink and a further link here
  • Efforts to find the gene responsible for JKD are in progress in a number of laboratories around the world