Urine Protein Electrophoresis

Urine 1 ml

Agarose gel electrophoresis

Dog, cat, others on request

1–5 working days

• Urine protein electrophoresis is used to differentiate the type of proteinuria and helps to determine the site of the protein loss (glomerular, tubular, mixed). It is used to supplement the quantitative analysis done by determining the protein/creatinine ratio (UPC).
• Glomerular proteinuria: predominance of albumin and high-molecular-weight proteins → indicates increased glomerular permeability (e.g. glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis)
• Tubular proteinuria: increase in low-molecular-weight proteins → reabsorption disorder in tubular damage (e.g. ischaemic, toxic, inflammatory)
• Mixed proteinuria (common in cats): combination of both patterns in chronic kidney disease
• Not recommended if urine is contaminated with blood or if prostate cysts are suspected
• If free light chains are detected, the Bence Jones Proteins Confirmatory Test is recommended.