Resumen de Effect of castration on the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of male dogs

Marie Blanche, Catherine Lapointe, Bérénice Conversy, Carolyn Gara-Boivin

• Effect of castration on the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of male dogs Marie-Blanche Bertieri, DVM; Catherine Lapointe, DVM, MSc; Bérénice Conversy, DVM; Carolyn Gara-Boivin, DVM, MSc Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada. (Bertieri, Lapointe, Conversy); Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada. (Gara-Boivin) Dr. Bertieri's present address is Clinique Vétérinaire de la Patte d'Oie, 155 Victor Bordier Blvd, 95370 Montigny les Cormeilles, France.

  Dr. Conversy's present address is Clinique Vétérinaire Armonia, 37 Serge Mauroit St, 38090 Villefontaine, France.

  Address correspondence to Dr. Lapointe (catherine.lapointe@umontreal.ca).

  OBJECTIVE To assess the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of healthy sexually intact male dogs and to compare the UPCR of these dogs before and after castration.

  ANIMALS 19 client- or shelter-owned healthy adult sexually intact male dogs.

  PROCEDURES Physical, hematologic, and biochemical examinations and urinalysis (including calculation of the UPCR) were performed on each dog. Dogs were then castrated, and physical examination and urinalysis (including calculation of the UPCR) were performed again at least 15 days after castration.

  RESULTS A dipstick test yielded positive results for protein in the urine of 10 sexually intact male dogs, but the UPCR was < 0.5 for all sexually intact male dogs. Mean UPCR for sexually intact male dogs was 0.12 (range, 0.10 to 0.32). The UPCR was < 0.2 for all castrated dogs, except for 1. Mean UPCR for all castrated dogs was 0.08 (range, 0.05 to 0.69). There was a significant difference between mean UPCR before and after castration.

  CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study, pathological proteinuria was not detected in sexually intact male dogs. Positive results for a urine dipstick test should be interpreted with caution in sexually intact male dogs and should be confirmed by assessment of the UPCR. An increased UPCR in sexually intact male dogs may be considered abnormal.