The blood and urine screening tests for PLN are the same for PLE. How regularly you test is up to you but it is recommended that there be minimum yearly blood and urine tests for PLN. It is to be noted that testing provides results for the day of the test not a long-term prognosis so wheaten owners may wish to have their dogs tested several times a year.
How early to start testing is up to each individual wheaten owner. While the mean for dogs becoming affected by PLE is around 4 years and PLN is around 6 years, according to information on the US wheaten club website, dogs can be older or younger.
Some Australasian vets won't know what tests are important for PLE or PLN because there are not many wheatens around. They may look at the protocols and decide that not all of them are necessary. PLE/PLN can be mistaken for other diseases so insist on having all the tests done and on receiving a copy of the results so you can track your dog's health.
If the vet does not want to do all the tests and/or won't give you a copy of the results, find one who does.
Note: You do not have to see a specialist vet to either get tests done or treat a dog with PLN. In the case of testing, all you need are what tests are required. The blood and urine is sent to a lab. For treatment, a vet should refer the diagnosis to the American specialist, Dr Littman, for recommendations for treatment. Make your own vet familiar with the testing procedures and symptoms. Remember, a vet does not live with your dog; you do.
Take the following to the vet as it has the tests that are needed:
Testing for PLE and PLN: For your wheaten's vet (PDF)
When taking your wheaten for testing, ensure that the urine sample you take is not the first of the day. Your dog will have been 'holding it in' for most of the night and a later sample will provide a more accurate result.
Your vet can, prior to you coming in, order in a Heska ERD test that gives an instant result for microalbuminuria (ulbumin loss) but not the exact measuresments. It gives a low to high ratio. The US protocols note that if doing a UPC test, a test for microalbuminuria is not necessary but if you want it done, you can certainly request your vet get in a test kit for you.
It is strongly suggested that if your vet suspects PLE or PLN, he or she should immediately contact the US specialist in PLE/PLN, Dr Littman, to confirm the diagnosis.
If you belong to a wheaten club, discuss with the committee whether a PLN test day is an option, perhaps as part of your yearly wheaten picnic so a discount on bulk testing can be arranged with a vet.
| Test | Why? |
|---|---|
| Total protein | This test measures the total of albumin and globulin in the body |
| Albumin | Albumin is the most common protein and it prevents fluid leakage from blood vessels. Albumin levels drop when a wheaten is suffering from kidney disease. |
| Globulin | Globulin is a group of proteins that includes, amongst other proteins, antibodies. As with albumin, changes to the level of globulin can indicate kidney disease. |
| Creatinine | Creatinine is filtered by the kidneys so when these levels go up, it indicates kidney damage. |
| Urea (blood urea nitrogen) | Urea is a waste product normally removed by the kidneys. Too high a level shows urea is being retained |
| Amylase | Produced by the pancreas to help digest starch. Too high a level indicates loss of kidney function |
| Cholesterol | High cholesterol indicates too high fat content in the body |
| Potassium | For energy functiontoo high a potassium level can indicate kidney disease |
| NA: K ratio (sodium/potassium ratio) | An increase in sodium is indicated by an increase in thirst: too little fluids, dehydration, or too much fluids, oedema |
| Phosphate (phosphorus) | For the storing of energy and combined with calcium, forms bones/teeth. High levels indicate that the kidneys are not regulating the phosphate levels. |
| Complete haematology (blood count) | Blood counts indicate various medical conditions including kidney/intestinal disease |
| Routine Urinalysis (to show other signs of kidney disease), including: Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio (UPC) | Compares protein loss to creatinine retention. A level greater than one will indicate significant protein loss. |