Glomerulonephritis in dogs and cats: Glomerular function, pathophysiology and clinical signs

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a pathologic process associated with a multitude of primary diseases. In almost an equal number of cases, a significant con current illness cannot be found and GN is classified as idiopathic. Whateve r the underlying cause, immune complexes form and initiate a series of even ts leading to glomerular injury. This leads to loss of normal function, res ultant proteinuria, and potentially renal failure. Clinical signs often rel ate to the underlying disease, complications of hypoproteinemia, and uremia from renal failure.