Kidneys in dogs and cats (and other animals) remove toxins from the blood and maintain water and salt balances. Blood is constantly filtered through the kidney to remove the toxic waste products, and eventually drained out through the urine. Also, kidney functions return water to the body, preventing dehydration.
In dogs and cats, one of the most common health concerns is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or renal failure, and a slow progressive disease. Renal failure is most commonly seen in middle to old aged cats. Statistically, around one in five cats over fifteen years of age has renal failure. Chronic Kidney Disease is seen about three times more frequently in cats than diagnosed in dogs. In North America, estimated 2.4% of dogs over ten years of age and eight percent of cats over ten years of age have CKD. Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in dogs and cats. Renal failure in dogs and cats is the result of a decrease in the rate of filtration of blood through the kidneys called glomerular filtration rate (GFR): The kidneys are unable to maintain a balance of proper amounts of material in the blood or balance of electrolytes (potassium, sodium, calcium phosphates, etc.) in the body, regulating the amount of acid in the blood and controlling blood pressure. Also, inability to produce a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell production by the bone marrow. Consequently, leads to a condition called azotemia, which is an elevated (abnormal) concentration of urea (BUN – Blood urea nitrogen measures to assess kidney function) or carbamide, creatine (Energy storage compound in muscle. Eliminating creatine produced in the kidney.), and other non — protein nitrogenous substances in the blood.
Uremia is condition caused by kidney failure: Increased concentration of urine by products in the blood combined with the multiple systemic changes that result from advanced stages of kidney disease.
Symptoms associated to feline kidney disease include: Increase drinking and urinating. As toxins are unable to be filtered out of the blood can cause decreased appetite, depression, foul odor to the breath, oral ulceration and vomiting. Eventually untreated, final stage of renal failure causes low body temperature, seizures, severe depression, and coma. In many cases, by the time symptoms are noticeable, feline kidneys have lost 60 – 75 percent ability to work.
Dog kidney failure symptoms are similar to cats. Also, hypertension or high blood pressure and renal failure can lead to acute blindness. Dogs with this disease live for a period ranging from months to years.
Besides the common normal aging process attributed to kidney failures, other conditions may attribute to CKD: Hereditary, congenital renal disease, kidney toxins (nephrotoxins – Starting at least in early 2007, reports of contaminated pet foods had been linked to kidney failure). Also, attributed to CKD is hypercalcemia or high blood calcium, kidney stones, chronic urinary obstruction, certain medictions, lymphoma (kind of cancer) and kidney infection.
Physical examination and laboratory tests including a CBC or complete blood count, blood chemistry analysis and urinalysis would help a veterinarian diagnosis chronic renal failure. Also, other diagnostic measurements include: Urine culture, x-rays, ultrasound, blood pressure measurement and biopsy. In some cases, a pet owner maybe referred to a specialist of veterinary internal medicine.
Limiting the amount of protein and phosphate content in cat food protects the kidneys from further damage with chronic renal failure. Increase polyunsaturated fatty acids in cat food, potentially has benefits in the management of renal failure. Veterinarian advice should be considered, before changing a pet’s food diet.
In April 2006, Vetoquinol USA started making available for veterinarians Azodyl, treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease for dogs and cats. Dr. Eric Linn, director of scientific affairs for Vetoquinol USA, said: “by removing toxins from the system, the supplement performs similarly to kidney dialysis but makes it possible to do so by administering a capsule.” Otherwise, only other method to significantly lower uremia toxins is kidney transplants and dialysis, which is costly, impractical for pets, and relatively uncommon in veterinary medicine. Azodyl contains Kibow Biotic(R) (trademark of Kibow Biotech, Inc.), a patented formulation of “friendly” bacterial organism that target and metabolize uremic toxins as they pass through the bowl. The toxins and bacteria are then excreted. The treatment is considered to be very safe.
In Early 2007, reported in the news pet food poisoning contaminated by industrial chemical. According to Barnfield, The Pet Hospital chain (more than 615 veterinary hospitals), during the first three months of 2007, suggested three out of every 10,000 cats and dogs that ate pet food contaminated with melamine developed kidney failure. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarians regarding Azodyl for the treatment of renal failure.
Recommended Manufacture Dosage / Administration guidelines:
Administration guidelines: Animals weighing up to 5 lbs: Given 1 capsule daily. Animals weighing 5 – 10 lbs: Given 2 capsules daily. Animals weighing greater than 10 lbs: Given 3 capsules daily. Recommended capsules be given whole and not opened or crushed. Suggest administer capsule with a piece of the animal’s favorite food or treat.
A California veterinarian published his results regarding the use of Azodyl in an issue of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. His report is based upon an independent study: Azodyl reduced signs of uremia in 100 percent of cats with Chronic Kidney Disease, and experienced “improved health and vitality.
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive and Kidney Disease of the National Institute of Health: Funding research to develop Azodyl for human Chronic Kidney Disease.
Vetroquinol previously marketed and sold Epaktin, extracted from crab and shrimp shells, and sold as powder, mixed with pet food to lower phosphorous, help reduce uremia to treat less severe Chronic Kidney Disease for pets. Azodyl is more beneficial treating advance stage of Chronic Kidney Disease than Epaktin alone.
