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A longitudinal study on the acceptance and effects of a therapeutic renal food in pet dogs with IRIS ‐Stage 1 chronic kidney disease
Author(s) -
Hall J. A.,
Fritsch D. A.,
Yerramilli M.,
Obare E.,
Yerramilli M.,
Jewell D. E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/jpn.12692
Subject(s) - medicine , creatinine , renal function , blood urea nitrogen , kidney disease , urine , urine specific gravity , kidney , proteinuria , urology
Summary Currently, nutritional management is recommended when serum creatinine (Cr) exceeds 1.4 mg/dl in dogs with IRIS ‐Stage 2 chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) to slow progressive loss of kidney function, reduce clinical and biochemical consequences of CKD , and maintain adequate nutrition. It is unknown if dietary interventions benefit non‐azotemic dogs at earlier stages. A prospective 12‐month feeding trial was performed in client‐owned dogs with IRIS ‐Stage 1 CKD ( n = 36; 20 had persistently dilute urine with urine specific gravity ( USG ) <1.020 without identifiable non‐renal cause; six had persistent proteinuria of renal origin with urine protein creatinine ( UPC ) ratio >0.5; 10 had both). Ease of transition to therapeutic renal food and effects on renal biomarkers and quality of life attributes were assessed. Dogs were transitioned over 1 week from grocery‐branded foods to renal food. At 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12‐months a questionnaire to assess owner's perception of their pet's acceptance of renal food and quality of life was completed. Renal biomarkers, including serum Cr, blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ), and symmetric dimethylarginine ( SDMA ), and USG and UPC ratio were measured. Of 36 dogs initially enrolled, 35 (97%) dogs were transitioned to therapeutic renal food. Dogs moderately or extremely liked the food 88% of the time, ate most or all of the food 84% of the time, and were moderately or extremely enthusiastic while eating 76% of the time. All renal biomarkers (Cr, BUN , and SDMA ) were decreased ( p ≤ .05) from baseline at 3‐months, and remained decreased from baseline at 12‐months in dogs completing the study ( n = 20). Proteinuria was reduced in 12 of 16 dogs ( p = .045) with proteinuria. Owners reported improvement in overall health and quality of life attributes, and hair and coat quality (all p < .01). In summary, dogs with IRIS ‐Stage 1 CKD readily transition to renal food. Decreasing serum biomarker concentrations and reduction in proteinuria suggest stabilized kidney function.