• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2007

Five dogs with renal failure were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Kangwon National University. These dogs had the common history of consumption of Pedigree dry dog food produced in Thailand plant for over 1 month. The dogs showed anorexia, emaciation, vomiting, and polydipsia/polyuria. And in one severely affected dog, bloody diarrhea and hypothermia were seen. The remarkable clinicopathological signs were high value of BUN and creatinine. In some dogs, GGT, phosphorus and lipase were increased. However, no significant changes of complete blood count were found. In urinalysis, hematuria, low specific gravity urine, proteinuria, and calcium oxalate-like crystals were observed. Two severely affected dogs were died. The remained dogs were recovered gradually after change of dog food and supportive therapy. Pathological findings were seen typically in kidneys. Renal atrophy, congestion of the glomerular capillary, and diffuse degeneration, necrosis, dystrophic calcification and regeneration in the tubular epithelium were seen. Yellowish brown fluorolucent laminated materials or particles were quite often found in the lumina of the necrotizing renal tubules of cortex and medulla. Proliferation of fibrous tissue in the interstitium was also seen. By the mycotoxin analysis of the Pedigree dry dog food, ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin were detected as much as the concentration of 372.8 ppb and 8.3 ppb, respectively. The final diagnosis of renal failure caused by OTA and citrinin toxicosis was made on the basis of history takings, clinical signs, clinicopathological and pathological findings, and analysis of mycotoxins.