Welcome to Percy’s Page, dedicated to the memory of a sweet Italian Spinone puppy named Percival who was diagnosed at four months with likely juvenile renal dysplasia. He died six months later.

This weblog serves to communicate our experience with the disease and the treatment we followed for him and potentially allow others facing this condition with their dogs to exchange information and support. JRD in canines is most often inherited, though there is no definitive determinative test at present and a lack of knowledge among many who breed and treat purebreds adds to a general uncertainty. Percy was especially young when his symptoms appeared, making his case all the more dramatic, and appalling.

On the About page I will describe our personal history with the breed and some general information about its health, as well as background information on JRD. In the posts I document the trajectory of the disease and the treatment for Percy, including his homemade low-protein diet and the other, possibly ancillary issues affecting him– epileptic-like seizures and ulcer-like growths on his gums. Although it was suggested that I blog about our experience as it happened, I could not: it was all I could do to live it everyday with Percy. I have needed some time to process and assimilate my feelings and thoughts to a point where I was ready to communicate them.

This is a terrible disease and the only way to reduce its occurrence if not eliminate it is to share knowledge, expand the database, and encourage responsible breeding. I hope this blog can contribute to that end. Especially for breeds that are not yet recognized as being disposed to JRD, sharing information is critical.

If you should have an Italian Spinone that presents for any kind of kidney disease, or for any other comments and concerns, please write to info@percyspage.com