URIC ACID, SERUM

Description

Serum Uric Acid Test for Dogs & Cats

The Serum Uric Acid test measures the concentration of uric acid in your pet’s blood. Uric acid is the final breakdown product of purine metabolism. Unlike humans, dogs and cats excrete uric acid primarily through the kidneys. While uric acid testing is widely used in humans to diagnose gout, in veterinary medicine it serves as a supplementary marker for evaluating liver function — particularly for detecting congenital vascular liver disease (portosystemic shunts) — and can also be elevated in kidney disease.

Why Is This Test Important?

In dogs with portosystemic shunts (abnormal blood vessel connections that bypass the liver), uric acid is elevated because the liver cannot metabolize purines effectively. Serum uric acid levels may also rise in kidney disease due to reduced renal excretion. While not as sensitive or specific as bile acids for liver disease diagnosis, serum uric acid is a useful and readily available supplementary test. It is particularly relevant for certain breeds such as Dalmatians, who have a genetic predisposition to hyperuricosuria and urate uroliths.

When Is This Test Recommended?

• Suspected portosystemic shunt in young dogs (especially breeds predisposed)
• Dalmatians and Bulldogs prone to urate stone formation
• Kidney disease workup
• Liver disease monitoring alongside bile acids
• Recurrent urinary tract stones of unknown type

Understanding Your Results

Normal serum uric acid in dogs is typically below 1 mg/dL. Elevated values may indicate liver dysfunction (especially portosystemic shunts) or kidney disease. In Dalmatians, elevated uric acid combined with urate uroliths in the urine is diagnostically significant. Results should always be interpreted alongside clinical signs, liver function tests, and urinalysis.

At-Home Sample Collection Service

At Home Petcare provides at-home blood sample collection for serum uric acid testing in Hyderabad. Our trained veterinary team ensures stress-free collection and prompt digital delivery of results with expert guidance.