New Test for Cats and Dogs May Catch Kidney Disease Earlier

 

What heart disease is for humans, kidney disease is for pets – a leading cause of suffering and death. In their lifetime, over 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 10 dogs will get kidney disease. And as pets get older, the likelihood they will develop kidney disease increases. In fact, more than half of cats over age 15 are afflicted. Until recently, veterinarians could not detect kidney disease until very late stages, when the kidneys have lost most of their function permanently. At this point, effective treatment options are limited.
Now IDEXX SDMA, a breakthrough new test that screens for kidney disease, changes that. Available to all veterinarians in the U.S., Canada and Europe via IDEXX Reference Laboratories, the IDEXX SDMA kidney test can detect this serious disease months to years earlier, when there is still time to do something about it. This is fantastic news, especially for our long suffering feline friends, as IDEXX SDMA can detect kidney disease when much of a pet’s kidney function is still intact. This gives you and your veterinarian the chance to take action and give your pet the best shot for a healthy, happy, long life even with kidney disease.
Why should I ask my veterinarian about IDEXX SDMA?
You probably get your cholesterol tested every year to mitigate your risk of heart disease. If your cholesterol is too high, your doctor recommends a lifestyle plan. Similarly, annual SDMA screening is an opportunity for you and your veterinarian to understand your pet’s health more completely. If IDEXX SDMA levels are increased, your veterinarian can prescribe a plan that could help preserve your pet’s kidneys. As the health advocate for your furry family members, be sure to ask your veterinarian for IDEXX SDMA at your pet’s next checkup. (Learn more about IDEXX SDMA screening for cats.)
What are the signs of kidney disease?
It’s important to know that kidney disease has no visible signs early on, which is why IDEXX SDMA is so important. As a natural defense against predators, cats actually hide disease, even when it is advanced. So cats, that are suffering most from kidney disease, can appear normal. While this serves them in the wild, it makes it very difficult for you to even know they are sick. In later stages, symptoms often include increased thirst, increased urination and subtle weight loss. Since all of the above can also be signs of other diseases, IDEXX SDMA, together with other screening tests, can help identify or rule out kidney disease.

6 Reasons Why My Cat Might Drool

Unlike some dogs, cats do not drool a great deal, and in fact, it sometimes goes unnoticed (unless we scratch their chins or find a small damp spot where they have been lying down).
There are a number of reasons why your cat might drool, and they tend to fall into three major categories:

• Pathologic conditions that result in inflammation, pain or an inability to swallow.
• Irritations that the cat is trying to “wash away”
• Emotional stimuli

Most drooling is intermittent and only involves a small amount of saliva. If your cat is drooling excessively it is a good time to have her examined by your veterinarian.  Some of these causes can be very serious, and early detection is always best.
1. Dental disease and cat drool
There are some conditions, like dental disease, that produce irritation of the mouth. In those cases drooling is an effort to remove or sooth the irritation in the mouth or throat. Dental disease is a common cause of excess drooling. As many as 85% of cats over 3 years of age have tooth or gum disease. The saliva that results may be blood tinged or smell unpleasant.

Check out, "10 Reasons Why You Should Take Care of Your Pet's Teeth."