Certain breeds face dramatically elevated risk of protein-losing nephropathy, and breed-specific screening catches disease before clinical signs appear.
PLN detected by screening when UPC ratios are mildly elevated can be managed before the dog develops clinical signs of edema, ascites, or muscle wasting. Waiting until clinical signs appear means the disease has progressed to a stage where management is more difficult and quality of life is already impaired. Breed-specific screening is a welfare investment that pays dividends in earlier, gentler intervention.