A. Serum urea and creatinine are usually done as part of a biochemistry profile. Azotemia (elevated serum urea and creatinine) may be the result of pre-renal, renal, and post-renal causes.
B. Urinalysis is an essential test. Azotemia cannot be interpreted without a urine specific gravity.
C. Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC).
The goal of a urine protein:creatinine ratio is to identify renal proteinuria having first ruled out pre-renal and post-renal causes. Persistent proteinuria (ideally identified on the basis of at least 3 urine samples collected over a period of at least 2 wks) resulting in a UPC ratio > 0.4 in cats and > 0.5 in dogs, is consistent with glomerular or tubulointerstitial disease. UPC ratios > 2.0 are strongly suggestive of glomerular disease.
|
UPC ratio |
Canine |
Feline |
|
Non-proteinuric |
< 0.2 |
< 0.2 |
|
Questionable |
0.2 - 0.5 |
0.2 - 0.4 |
|
Proteinuric |
> 0.5 |
> 0.4 |
Reference: (www.iris-kidney.com) Assessment and management of proteinuria in dogs and cats: 2004 ACVIM Forum Consensus Statement (Small Animal). J Vet Intern Med 2005;19:377–385. www.iris-kidney.com
D. Renal fine needle aspiration. FNA may be useful in evaluation of generalized renal disease, e.g., lymphoma.