My pet's kidney disease: SDMA up, BUN down. Is low potassium related?

Question

Hi tony has been on a kidney diet for a month or so and his latest bloodwork shows SDMA went up from 13 to 18 but BUN went down from 45 to 37., creatinine up from 1.7 to 1.9. My vet still just feels these are early stages but the SDMA is much higher than 14 which I believe is the top of the range? Just would like another opinion because the vet seemed pleased his BUN dropped. Also his potassium has fallen too low to 3.4 so we’re increasing his tumil K, is this drop due to kidney issues? thx!! Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 18 years and 11 months old | 9.5 lbs

Ana M, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tony. I agree that he is in the early stages of kidney failure based on the lab results you have provided. Kidney disease can cause low levels of potassium so it is good that you are supplementing him. Kidney values can fluctuate up and down a bit, but you want to assess trends over time to see how he is doing. SDMA and creatinine are more sensitive indicators than BUN. I would ask if his phosphorus level is in the target range for his degree of kidney disease (based on the IRIS staging) and make sure he has had his blood pressure measured recently. I hope this information helps!

My pet's kidney disease: SDMA up, BUN down. Is low potassium related?

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