Canine & Feline Specific Assays Dog Cat

SDMA (Symmetric Dimethylarginine)

SDMA is a blood test that shows how well the kidneys of a dog or cat are filtering the blood. SDMA often rises earlier than creatinine, the older kidney marker, when kidney function starts to fall.

Sample: Serum
Quantity: 3 mL
Report: Confirmed when you book
Collection: Free in Bhopal

What this test checks

SDMA level in the serum
How well the kidneys filter the blood
Early loss of kidney function, often before creatinine rises
Change in kidney function over time on repeat tests

Benefits of this test

Can show falling kidney function earlier than creatinine in many pets.
Is less affected by muscle mass, so it helps in thin or older pets that have lost muscle.
Gives the vet extra information when creatinine and urea look borderline.
Helps the vet follow kidney function over time in pets with known kidney disease.
Needs only one blood sample, which can be taken along with other blood tests.

Often discussed at these ages:Senior Dog Senior Cat

When your vet may advise it

Your older dog or cat is having a regular health check.
Your pet drinks and passes urine much more than usual.
Your pet is losing weight, eating less or vomiting.
Creatinine or urea is borderline on another test, but the vet still suspects kidney trouble.
Your vet wants to check kidney function before surgery or long-term medicines.
A pet already has kidney disease and the vet wants to follow it.

About this test

SDMA stands for symmetric dimethylarginine. Body cells release this small substance at a steady rate, and the kidneys filter most of it out of the blood. When the kidneys filter less than they should, SDMA builds up and its level in the blood rises.

For this test, blood is drawn and the lab measures SDMA in the serum, the clear liquid part of blood. Vets often read it together with creatinine and urea. These are waste products that also build up when the kidneys struggle. SDMA can rise earlier than creatinine, and it is less affected by how much muscle a pet has, so it is useful in thin or older pets.

Kidney disease is common in older dogs and cats and may show few signs at first. Vets use SDMA to look for early kidney trouble and to follow known kidney disease over time.

How to prepare

Follow your vet's advice about fasting, and let your pet drink water as usual unless the vet says otherwise. We collect the sample free anywhere in Bhopal, and reporting time is confirmed when you book. Pets outside Bhopal can be tested too, because your vet or clinic can courier the serum to our lab and we coordinate by phone or WhatsApp.

Reading the result

An SDMA value above the normal range suggests the kidneys may be filtering less than they should, but it does not say why. A registered veterinarian reads it with creatinine, urea, a urine test, your pet's signs and history, and may repeat it.

Questions about SDMA

How is SDMA different from creatinine?

SDMA often rises earlier than creatinine when kidney filtering falls, and it is less affected by a pet's muscle mass. Both are kidney markers in the blood, and vets usually read them together instead of choosing one.

Does a high SDMA mean my pet has kidney failure?

Not by itself. A high SDMA means the kidneys may be filtering less than normal. The cause can be long-term kidney disease, a sudden kidney problem or another condition. Your vet will check urine and other blood tests and may repeat the test.

Should older pets get an SDMA test?

Often, yes, if your vet agrees. Many vets include a kidney check such as SDMA in regular health checks of older dogs and cats. Kidney disease is common with age and may give few signs at first. Ask your vet how often it suits your pet.

Are other tests needed along with SDMA?

Often yes. Vets commonly add creatinine, urea and a urine test, and sometimes a blood pressure check or an ultrasound. SDMA is one useful piece, but the full picture comes from several results read together.

Before you book this test

Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.

Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.

Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.