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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cat-ckd-sdma

The SDMA blood test can flag kidney disease in cats when about how much kidney function is lost?

About 40 percent, earlier than older tests.

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  1. About 75 percent
  2. About 40 percent ✔
  3. About 95 percent

Why: Cornell says SDMA rises when about 40 percent of kidney function is lost. The older creatinine test usually rises only near 75 percent. Earlier diagnosis generally means better outcomes.

Huh, didn't know that: Cornell says about 60 percent of cats with kidney disease also develop high blood pressure, so vets measure it.

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Why did the doctor take a red pen to work? In case she wanted to draw blood!
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References

Answer: About 40 percent. Cornell says SDMA rises when about 40 percent of kidney function is lost. The older creatinine test usually rises only near 75 percent. Earlier diagnosis generally means better outcomes.

  1. Cornell Feline Health Center, Chronic Kidney Disease www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/chronic-kidney-disease
    SDMA elevations are detectable when about 40% of kidney function is lost.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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