Arterial blood pressure, proteinuria, and renal histopathology in clinically healthy retired racing greyhounds.

Background: Physiologic peculiarities of Greyhounds as compared to other dogs make interpretation of laboratory results in this breed challenging for veterinarians. Hypertension in retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) can contribute to microalbuminuria (MA), overt proteinuria, and renal histologic lesions.

Objectives: To evaluate clinicopathologic findings, hemodynamic status, and renal histology in a population of healthy RRG.

Animals: RRG presented to Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for inclusion in a spay and neuter program.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. RRG were classified as normotensive (<160 mmHg) or hypertensive (>160 mmHg) based on blood pressure (BP) determinations using Doppler and oscillometric methods. Of the dogs evaluated, 62% (n = 29) were hypertensive and 38% (n = 18) were normotensive. Health status was evaluated using routine clinicopathologic tests (CBC, serum biochemistry, urinalysis) as well as evaluation of fractional excretion of electrolytes and MA determinations. Adequate renal biopsy specimens (n = 15) were evaluated using light, immunofluoresence, and electron microscopy.

Results: All serum biochemistry results were normal in 45/49 dogs, but MA was more common in hypertensive (84% positive for MA) as compared with normotensive (18% positive for MA) RRG. Observed renal lesions were mild and renal biopsy scores were low in this sample of RRG.

Conclusions: Hypertension is common in RRG and might be breed-related. It is associated with MA, but observed renal lesions are mild. Whether or not hypertension and MA in RRG leads to progressive renal damage requires longitudinal study.