Slightly elevated protein levels in urine?

L

lukabear

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Hi guys!

Okay, Luka has had a kidney infection and he just finished a round of cephalexin. After his last dose, he had a low fever but he's fine now. During this time, he's been urinating on the kitchen floor every few nights.

The problem is that he's still been having little accidents during the night (but not at all during the day). So, we took him back to the vet. His urinalysis came back showing no infection or anything, but the vet said that his protein levels were "a little high."

He recommended that it might be behavioral and that he's just had a training setback. He said our other option is a pill for kidneys, but being so young (-1 year) it would probably do more harm than good.

Needless to say, i'm worried. I trust my vet, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something else going on. The boys were potty trained shortly after we got them, so I really don't think that's it.

We're feeding TOTW Wetlands (32% protein), because they won't touch the salmon and are tired of high prairie. Every other food that matches the quality I want, isn't available here or is way out of my price range.

Could the food be the issue?
Are there any kind of supplements I can give him to support kidney health?

*He also had liver (with just a tiny bit of kibble) as breakfast and dinner last night - so I wondered if the elevated protein levels might be due to THAT instead of the kibble?
 
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Do you know what his ALT or ALS levels are in his bloodwork?

Or any other bloodwork counts for that matter. Ask your vet to send you the results.

With all Bacca's issues, I've been able to track how he has responded to change in diet and new meds for his hypothyrodism and liver concerns.

Go with your instinct. You know your dog better than anyone. I knew something was wrong with Bacca but it took months to figure it out.
 
Ugh, i knew I forgot to ask something. We stopped by as we were going fishing. I'm going to ask for blood work so I know what I'm dealing with.

I feel a little bit better considering I just remembered that I'd given him liver, which as far as I know, is a high protein food.
 
A little protein can be normal in dogs depending on how the urine was collected ,free catch has more than cysto. I guess it depend on how high is high. If I'm seeing alot of protein in the urine I like to do urine protein:creatine ratio test to make sure there is no kidney involvement. Less likely if urine is well concentrated 1.035 or greater and a young dog. Usually protein doesn't spill into the urine with high protein diet but it does increase the levels of BUN some.
 
Justicemom said:
A little protein can be normal in dogs depending on how the urine was collected ,free catch has more than cysto. I guess it depend on how high is high. If I'm seeing alot of protein in the urine I like to do urine protein:creatine ratio test to make sure there is no kidney involvement. Less likely if urine is well concentrated 1.035 or greater and a young dog. Usually protein doesn't spill into the urine with high protein diet but it does increase the levels of BUN some.
Click to expand...

So glad you responded!

Collection was from a catheter.

My mom was telling me it MUST be the food, so I was worried. But I was thinking that if anyone would have been affected by it, surely Toulouse at 8 lbs. would be the first one.

Should I ask for an additional test to the bloodwork? I didn't see any numbers, only heard that it was just a bit higher than normal.

My vet usually only worries when there is cause, so I feel like if the levels were high enough to do another test, he would have said so. But i'll definitely insist if it would lead to a healthier Luka.

I was thinking about ordering a cranberry supplement from Dr. Foster Smith or some Vita-C.
 
Without knowing his numbers it is hard to know. If your vet is not worried they must have been alright. However, if you are still concerned because his behavior is still not right. Discuss it with your vet.
 
this is how my Angel's kidney failure started.... my vet said her protein was slightly elevated and nothing to be worried about..then things got worse and worse.... she was 13 at the time ...

My point is ..I think you should keep a close eye on it and since it is already "slightly high" ....keep up with the blood work. OF course I am not a vet but have went down this road . I just want your pup to have a long healthy life. Maybe a lower protein food is something you should consider or at least talk to your vet about.
 
lukabear, in humans protein does not store in the body so extra has to be removed by overworking kidney and liver...
have no knowledge if dogs are the same but it should be similar... protein in urine means kidneys are not filtrating right and letting go thru the sieve large molecules of protein... could be as simple as stress or could be an infection...
 
SheltieChe said:
lukabear, in humans protein does not store in the body so extra has to be removed by overworking kidney and liver...
have no knowledge if dogs are the same but it should be similar... protein in urine means kidneys are not filtrating right and letting go thru the sieve large molecules of protein... could be as simple as stress or could be an infection...
Click to expand...

Yep. As a FYI if you have a cat, it should never have protein in its urine. If it does they is a problem somewhere. Some protein in the urine can be normal for dogs. That's why how high is high is important.
 
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