Just wanted to add little more information about SDMA bloodwork from my own CKD, hyperthyroid kitty experience, in case it helps you, FeebysOwner . My cat is probably around 9 years old, and she was diagnosed with CKD (IRIS stage II) based on her bloodwork after a period of illness that her vet believes was a CKD "crash". For kidney bloodwork, my vet always includes the SDMA as part of the monitoring. It's not something I even ask for. I do believe her practice uses IDEXX tests and labs as part of their regular diagnostics, and the SDMA test is proprietary to IDEXX. So, for Mumu's most recent bloodwork, her BUN and creatinine levels were quite good, in the middle of normal, but her SDMA was right at 14, the highest end of what is considered normal (her highest reading had been 20). So based on that, the vet is making sure that Mumu keeps drinking her water and other good things for kidney support. Having that SDMA reading is a nice additional piece of information for the vet to monitor for a fuller picture of the CKD progress, I think, but obviously there are other numbers that you and your vet already have also.It sounds like it was used in your case to measure her levels during and after a serious illness - with the latter testing showing much better numbers? Am I correct in my understanding? In that case, I can understand the benefits of the testing.
I am not saying the test is not a valuable one. But, for Feeby, I don't think the vet thinks there is much point in testing her at her age, especially since she is not having any health issues aside from the H-T at this time. I personally think he feels that making dietary changes probably won't prolong her life by any measurable amount, and he really isn't a proponent of kidney food diets in terms of their actual overall benefits.
I do know he is up for other ideas I come across, so the H-T forum offered to provide me with some supplements that might be of benefit for Feeby, and I will look into those when they share them with me. As far as the phosphorus binders, I am still on the fence about whether or not to pursue them, even though the H-T forum thinks she should be on some. Another discussion for the vet and me to have somewhere down the line. Ditto for the SDMA.
What therapies did you give Lola?