Assessment of treatment outcomes and symmetric dimethylarginine in hyperthyroid cats treated with a fixed dose of radioiodine

Abstract

Background: Hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common in geriatric cats and often occur concurrently. Among other effects, hyperthyroidism causes protein catabolism and increases renal blood flow and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These effects render traditional renal markers insensitive for the detection of CKD in cats with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. Early identification of occult CKD may influence the prognosis, monitoring and therapy of hyperthyroidism or CKD. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a new serum renal biomarker that is stable, easily measured and has been recently validated for use in cats. SDMA correlates well with GFR and is not affected by musc..