What Could Cause Excessive Protein in My Corgi’s Urine?

Dear VetBabble: Why is There Excessive Protein in My Corgi’s Urine?

Many pet owners like yourself, recently asked us the question: “If there’s nothing apparently wrong, why does my 8-year-old Corgi have 3+ protein in her urine? What could be causing this?” While the protein levels in the urine can be influenced by several factors, it is often a symptom of underlying health issues. In such cases, conducting further investigations with your vet would be essential to ascertain the cause.

Causes of Proteins in a Dog’s Urine

Seeing protein in your furry friend’s urine is naturally concerning. This symptom can be caused by various ailments, some of which include diabetic complications, kidney disease, immune system disorders, or the presence of toxins. Now, these may seem daunting, but before any alarm bells ring, let’s dive deeper into these possible causes.

Substantial protein levels in your pet’s urine could be due to kidney disease. This condition commonly affects dogs and could lead to renal failure if left untreated. First, understand that kidneys filter unwanted waste while leaving essential components like proteins in the body. Damaged or diseased kidneys sometimes let proteins seep through, ending up in the urine.

Another possible cause is the presence of toxins either from the environment or certain medications. Such toxins may injure the kidneys leading to proteinuria (protein in urine).

Urinary Problems in Dogs

Urinary problems in dogs like Cystitis could also lead to the presence of protein in urine. Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder stones. Dogs suffering from cystitis often have blood in their urine, which can be misunderstood as protein. You can discover more about this in our article on Blood in your Dog’s Urine and possible Cystitis.

Apart from inflammation, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can also trigger excess protein in the urine. UTIs occur when bacteria invade the urinary tract leading to inflammation and difficulty in urination amongst other symptoms.

Other Possible Health Conditions

Immune system disorders could also lead to higher protein levels in your dog’s urine. This is due to the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissues, damaging the kidneys in the process.

Next is Diabetes, a condition related to the body’s inability to regulate blood sugar levels. In dogs, as in humans, diabetes can cause multiple complications, one of them being proteinuria. The classic signs are frequent drinking and urination, weight loss despite a normal appetite, and lethargy.

Finally, bear in mind that these conditions are not exclusive to canines alone. For instance, kidney disease has been known to affect felines as well.

While we’ve examined possible causes, it’s important to acknowledge how crucial timely veterinary consultations are to our pets’ health. If your pet is facing a similar problem, we highly recommend booking an appointment with your vet promptly, so they can diagnose the issue and provide the appropriate medical attention.