Companion May 2012 - BSAVA

and/or urine is a preferred method. Measurement of
cystatin C in the plasma of dogs has been validated by
several veterinary laboratories but is not currently
widely used. Measurement of urinary cystatin C has
recently been validated in our laboratory, and
cystatin C:creatinine ratios generated. These have
been shown to distinguish between dogs with no
kidney disease and dogs with CKD.
Funding and the future
This work was carried out with the help of a PetSavers
research grant and a residency scholarship from
RCVS trust to Paola Monti. This work was presented at
ECVIM–CA in 2011, and will be published in the
Journal of Small Animal Practice*.
Work is now continuing on measuring microalbumin
and cystatin C in urine from dogs with CKD, dogs with
no obvious disease and dogs with other (non-kidney)
diseases. When this stage of the work is completed we
would like to set up a prospective trial and follow the
progression of CKD, and the effects of treatments in a
group of dogs over a longer period.
We are also setting up similar studies with cats,
and have been able to confirm that special
non-absorbent litter which can be used for urine
collection from cats does not interfere with these tests.
In this way it is hoped to provide non invasive urine
tests for both dogs and cats with early CKD.
We are also investigating other biomarkers for
glomerular and tubular injury by the use of ELISA
methods. Unfortunately many available test kits were
developed for human samples using monoclonal
antibodies, and this causes many technical difficulties
when they are used for cats and dogs. Many of the
biomarker peptides are also unstable in urine so we are
evaluating best methods for collection and storage of
samples. The next step will be a longitudinal study. We
hope to recruit dogs and cats with CKD that can donate
urine at regular intervals over a 1–2 year period. ■
Please visit www.petsavers.org.uk for more
information on PetSavers grants and how you can
help support studies such as Joy’s.
*Editor’s note: Readers are directed to this paper which has just been
published online by the JSAP.
BSAVA ON CKD
The Manual of Canine and Feline
Nephrology and Urology has a chapter
on the management of chronic kidney
disease by Scott A. Brown.
For details or to order the manual visit
www.bsava.com or call 01452 726700.
A fruitful
Congress
PetSavers owes a huge thanks to Congress
delegates and exhibitors who helped raise
funds for the charity during the event
As the gateway stand to the BSAVA Balcony, PetSavers gets to
meet delegates from all areas of the profession. Which is
perfect for this ambitious charity, which knows that the support of
vets, VNs and practice managers is vital if it wants to continue to
achieve its aims.
PetSavers’ relationship with the profession is very much two-way. On the
one hand, appealing for donations and financial support – and on the other,
the Charity provides funding for vital veterinary research – as well as offering
a range of products and resources for use in the Practice. So there was
plenty to talk about with the 7000+ crowd at Congress.
There was a lot going on off the stand too – with two gala events offering
more fundraising opportunities.
On Thursday night the popular Petplan awards took place, where guests
generously donated more than £1200 to PetSavers.
The winners of the awards were Zaila Dunbar, Queens Park Veterinary
Clinic (Vet of the Year), Lucy Kells, Wildlife Aid Foundation (Vet Nurse of the
Year) and Eastcott Veterinary Hospital (Vet Practice of the Year). The
PetSavers Achievement Award was presented to Barnfield Vets.
Then on Friday the guests at the Banquet had the opportunity to support
PetSavers and win a piece of art. The Banquet raffle has raised many
thousands over the years, thanks to the continued support of Castle Fine Art
Gallery in the ICC who donate a picture. This year it raised nearly £4000,
and the winner of the artwork was BEVA President, Ben Mayes.
PetSavers would like to thank all those who took the time to visit the
stand at Congress and for all the generous donations it received. ■
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