A kidney function test found useful in birds and Dalmatian dogs is which?

A kidney function test found useful in birds and Dalmatian dogs is which?

• A. BUN
• B. Creatinine
• C. Uric acid
• D. AST

Answer: (C)

Uric acid is the best choice because in birds the primary nitrogenous waste is uric acid, so blood levels of it reflect how well the kidneys are clearing waste in avian species. In Dalmatian dogs, there’s a hereditary issue with urate transport that makes uric acid elevation a meaningful indicator of purine metabolism and potential kidney stone risk. Other options aren’t as informative for kidney function in these contexts: BUN and creatinine are mammal-focused measures and are less reliable in birds, while AST indicates liver or muscle injury rather than kidney function.

Uric acid is the best choice because in birds the primary nitrogenous waste is uric acid, so blood levels of it reflect how well the kidneys are clearing waste in avian species. In Dalmatian dogs, there’s a hereditary issue with urate transport that makes uric acid elevation a meaningful indicator of purine metabolism and potential kidney stone risk. Other options aren’t as informative for kidney function in these contexts: BUN and creatinine are mammal-focused measures and are less reliable in birds, while AST indicates liver or muscle injury rather than kidney function.