Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects many pets as they age. This progressive condition can lead to a decline in your pet’s quality of life (QOL), but early detection can help preserve their kidney function as long as possible. Our Family Pet Care

team explains how advances in veterinary medicine, such as symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) testing, are making early detection easier than ever so we can detect your pet’s kidney dysfunction long before they exhibit illness signs, and help preserve these essential organs’ function.

What is chronic kidney disease in pets?

CKD is a kidney function loss that gradually progresses over time. Kidneys play a vital role in removing the body’s waste products and excess fluids, including electrolytes, from the blood, which creates urine. As the disease progresses, the kidneys’ ability to perform these functions diminishes, leading to myriad health issues, including dehydration, high blood pressure, anemia, and mineral imbalances. CKD is most often associated with aging and usually starts when a pet reaches middle or old age. According to veterinary studies, one in three cats and one in 10 dogs experience kidney dysfunction. 

What are chronic kidney disease signs in pets?

A pet’s CKD signs are initially subtle and progress silently. Unfortunately, many pets exhibit no obvious signs until the disease has progressed significantly, and their kidneys’ function is severely compromised. Pets typically begin to show signs when two-thirds to three-quarters of kidney function has been lost. Pets’ CKD signs often include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Bad breath
  • Appetite loss
  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Mouth sores
  • Retinal bleeding or blindness caused by high blood pressure

What is symmetric dimethylarginine testing for pets?

SDMA is a recently discovered biomarker that veterinarians use to assess pets’ kidney function. SDMA increases earlier than traditional biomarkers, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Traditionally, veterinarians performed standard CKD diagnostic screenings such as blood and urine tests, including BUN and creatinine levels, and urine specific gravity, which measures how well the kidneys are concentrating urine. The kidneys normally remove creatinine and urea from the bloodstream, but these waste product levels become concentrated in the blood when the kidneys aren’t functioning as they should. While these tests are useful as kidney disease indicators, a pet has lost approximately 75% of kidney function before these levels become elevated. SDMA is more sensitive and has been shown to detect as little as a 40% loss of kidney function. By including SDMA testing in your pet’s annual wellness exam screenings, our Family Pet Care team can detect kidney dysfunction long before your pet exhibits illness signs, so we can help preserve their essential kidney function for years to come.

How does symmetric dimethylarginine testing benefit pets?

SDMA testing’s main benefit is early CKD detection. In dogs, SDMA detects CKD an average of 9.5 months earlier than traditional blood tests. SDMA testing’s other benefits include:

  • Accurate diagnosis — While BUN and creatinine values are kidney disease indicators, unrelated factors, such as diet and muscle mass, which may not necessarily relate to kidney function, may affect these tests’ results. However, extraneous factors affect SDMA results less, making this test a more accurate CKD indicator. Essentially, SDMA testing provides a more complete picture of your pet’s kidney health, especially when performed in conjunction with traditional tests such as BUN and creatinine. 
  • Early intervention — SDMA testing can detect CKD in its early stage, when the condition is most treatable. Early treatment, which typically includes dietary changes and medication, can slow the disease’s progression, improving your pet’s QOL. 
  • Progress monitoring — Our Family Pet Care team will monitor your pet’s SDMA levels over time to track the disease’s progression, and evaluate their treatment’s effectiveness, adjusting as necessary.
  • Cost-effectiveness — SDMA testing’s cost is nominal when compared with the expenses you may incur if your pet’s CKD progresses to an advanced stage before being detected. Early treatment is typically less invasive and less expensive than the treatments often required for advanced CKD, which may require hospitalization and intensive care.

CKD is prevalent in aging pets, but through SDMA testing, your pet can receive early intervention that helps keep them comfortable and extend their life span, giving the two of you additional cherished years together. To learn more about kidney disease and testing’s importance, or to schedule your pet’s annual wellness exam, contact our Family Pet Care team.