LAUSR

The aim of the study was to identify urinary biomarker for early detection of renal dysfunction in dogs. Paired blood and urine samples were analysed from dogs classified on the basis of International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging system. Serum biochemistry revealed a highly significant increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in dogs with kidney disease. Urinalysis also revealed a highly significant increase in the level of urinary protein and urinary protein creatinine (UPC) ratio in dogs with kidney disease. A highly significant decrease in urinary creatinine and specific gravity level was also present in all groups of dogs with kidney disease. The SDS-PAGE of urinary proteins obtained from dogs with renal failure revealed the presence of low molecular weight (LMW) proteins of 14.7 KDa. This protein was identified as cystatin C protein by Immunoblotting using anti-cystatin C antibody and it has been suggested as biomarker for the diagnosis of renal disease.