Acta Vet. Brno 2023, 92: 351-359

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202392040351

Assessment of urinary cystine concentration in dogs in the Czech Republic

Simona Kovaříková1, Petr Maršálek1, Jana Blahová1, Jaroslav Kučera2, Kateřina Vrbová3, Vladimír Večerek1

1University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Czech Republic
2Private Veterinary Clinic, Brno, Czech Republic
3University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Czech Republic

Received October 25, 2022
Accepted October 25, 2023

The prevalence of cystinuria as an inborn error of metabolism in dogs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cystinuria in dogs of various breeds in the Czech Republic. In total, 326 voided urine samples from client owned dogs were obtained. Samples were divided into four groups according to the breed - Irish Terriers (n = 58), Dachshunds (n = 67), French Bulldogs (n = 64) and a group of various breeds (n = 137). Urinary cystine concentration was measured using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, urinary creatinine concentration was determined by Jaffe method. Samples with urinary cystine concentrations above 178 µmol/g creatinine were considered as cystinuric. Urinary cystine concentration above the upper limit was found in 71 dogs (21.8%) with significantly higher incidence in intact males of Irish Terriers. In general, cystinuria was more common in intact males. In Irish Terriers, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, German Shorthaired Pointer, Pomeranian, and Fox Terrier, cystinuria was identified in females. Cystinuria appears to be a relatively common finding in dogs in the Czech Republic, with some breeds being more affected. The finding of cystinuria in two female Irish Terriers calls into question the classification of cystinuria in this breed as androgen dependent only. The detection of cystinuria in related dogs suggests that other individuals in the same family should be examined as part of the management of a cystinuric patient.

Funding

This work was supported by the FVHE/Večerek/ITA2020. The authors would like to thank Sabrina Turini for the English proofreading.

References

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