Living with GCKD

I have a dog (a one-year-old Italian Spinone called Mylo) who was born with one kidney and it's also been discovered that he has GCKD (glomerulocystic kidney disease). Mylo is on lots of medicine and a special renal diet so he can never put on weight like my other six-month-old Spinone can.
Mylo was born with GCKD but has always been very active and full of life. When we heard of the condition we knew nothing about it, always thinking only older dogs had kidney problems. The vets gave him no longer than six months; we found out when he was three months old. It was very upsetting and no one knew much about GCKD, so we took him to a specialist who did tests, scans and a biopsy, and we now believe that Mylo is the only living case of a dog with GCKD. The other animals were discovered at post mortem.
When we found out we had no clues about GCKD or what to do. Does anyone have any information about the condition? Has anyone heard of another case of a living dog with GCKD?
It would be excellent if this could help someone else, I know I read all I could but felt very lonely.
Anne, by email

Taking on a puppy should be such a happy time, so it must seem very unfair that you have had these health worries with your Mylo for most of the time that he has lived with you. I do hope you are still able to enjoy the good times – I am glad that you describe him as ‘very active and full of life’. You certainly have your hands full with two young Spinones!

I am thrilled that Mylo has lived beyond the life expectancy he was predicted. I must admit I do tend to fight shy of giving an idea of how long a pet with a serious health condition will live, because it can be a double-edged sword, but I do know that it can help owners to understand just how grave the outlook might be.

Being able to survive with one kidney is, I think, common knowledge but it is essential for that remaining kidney to be healthy and functioning properly. For poor Mylo, this is sadly not the case. We do have far more resources to hand for the management of renal failure than was previously the case. Early diagnosis enabling early instigation of appropriate diet and drugs will undoubtedly have stood Mylo in good stead.

I do hope Mylo continues to lead a full and active life for as long as possible. Do keep in touch – you needn’t feel lonely when there is the Dogs Today Think Tank.

Alison Logan, vet