Kidney Disease Hi All, I could use some advice. I started a new vet back in January who I seem to like but he is old fashion when it comes to doing specific tests. (His words not mine) For History - last Sept. I took Thumper to Specialist for an ultrasound of his kidneys because the previous blood work indicated Protein in the Urine. There they did a test called SDMA (apparently it is a new test that can indicate early stages of kidney failure) At the time his SDMA was 13 (1-14 normal) Bun and Creaton normal. Ultrasound did show some changes to his kidney and his Phosporus was low. I was told to comeback in 6 months to retest but just to monitor him for now. In January I started his on Hills Diet K/D as it was suggested by the new vet and in March to bring him back to repeat blood work. Well I just got the results and don't know what to think. SDMA is now at 18 Bun Normal Creaton Normal Protein in Urine Phos better (can't remember exact number) Vet recommends to keep him on K/D Food and repeat blood work and do another ultrasound in August. Does anyone have any familiarity with the SDMA test? Not sure if I should be taking him to a specialist or a regular vet is fine at this point. He also gained 5 pounds but I attribute that to not as much exercise since I had to let my dog walker go :( |
The SDMA is a good test in terms of being able to identify things earlier and show indications earlier than, say, BUN or Creatinine. But FIVE pounds...? Is he a larger yorkie in general? With protein in urine and a 5lb gain -- I really think you need to at least consider ruling out Cushings bc it absolutely does run in yorkies. The very first screening test you do (which is *not* diagnostic, btw!) is the Cortisol-Creatinine Ratio Urine Test (can be positive, negative, or "intermediate"). Even if intermediate - you often still want to proceed w/ diagnostic testing if clinical symptoms of Cushings are present in the dog. Symptoms:(from this great overview) Some dogs with Cushing’s disease show the classic symptoms, while other show only a few vague symptoms. The classic symptoms are: -- Polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD)- This is excess urinating and excess drinking of water. It is one of the first signs of the disease, and usually precedes the other symptoms by a significant period of time. Several other important diseases cause these symptoms also, notably liver disease, kidney disease pyometra, and diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). --Pot bellied abdomen to the point a dog might look pregnant. It is due to hepatomegaly and abdominal muscle weakness (the mechanism of which was described above in the physiology section). -- Thin skin and usually symmetrical hair loss along the trunk. The hair might grow in lighter in color or lose its luster. It might not grow in well at all. Calcium deposits under the skin, called calcinosis cutis, occur on occasion. Secondary skin infections called pyoderma are common also. The skin might also be hyperpigmented. -- Muscle wasting over the head, shoulders, thighs, and pelvis. -- Polyphagia- excess appetite. This is often interpreted by clients as being healthy, since most people think of a sick pet as not eating well. In this case your pet is over-eating, which is consistent with Cushing’s. Other occasional symptoms include: -Pruritis (itchy skin) - due to secondary bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections of the skin |
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