Is it normal for a vet to only do a blood test and not a urine test for signs of kidney disease?

[Guest]

My 19 year old dachshund has been drinking a lot more then normal. She’s also been panting a lot too.

My vet ran some in-depth blood tests, and flagged that her kidney function has decreased, and it’s still within the normal range but only just. Her bloods were checked only 2 months ago and were perfect, so this has been quite sudden. The vet stressed that she’s not concerned about kidney disease.

However, after researching more, I’m concerned that the vet didn’t do a urine test and has potentially missed something.

Could a urine test have revealed something the blood tests didn’t?

Is it still possible that a urine test could identify kidney disease even if the bloods indicate it’s *just* within normal range?

Absolutely terrified something is wrong and it might be getting missed

[Dennis]

Vet: Depending on what blood tests were done. SDMA elevations detect early kidney disease whereas creatinine does not elevate until late stage kidney disease. No blood tests will tell us how the kidneys are functioning. That is why we ALWAYS do urinalysis via cystocentesis if we are looking to see if the dog has kidney disease. This is standard procedure.

You can check also: My dog's blood panel revealed extremely high liver enzymes

[Diane]

Bloodwork will detect kidney disease and since the numbers aren’t elevated, that would put my mind to rest. A urinalysis shows Bacteria or infections in the urine. I love that your baby is 19 and seems in great health overall. What food have you fed her?

[Colleen]

Many vets will run a urinalysis if you ask directly for it. If your vet is not listening find another vet. I have even collected my own dogs pee and taken it in for testing (hint- soup ladle works great). Keep pressing. You are their advocate.

[Padilla]

Blood tests will show if kidney disease (my dog unfortunately has it). Look for abnormal SDMA, CREA, BUN and Phosphorus.