Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous chronic renal failure in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a diet used for dogs with renal failure (renal food [RF]) was superior to an adult maintenance food (MF) in minimizing uremic crises and mortality rate in dogs with spontaneous chronic renal failure.


METHODS
Double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
38 dogs with spontaneous chronic renal failure.


METHODS
Dogs were randomly assigned to a group fed adult MF or a group fed RF and evaluated for up to 24 months. The 2 groups were of similar clinical, biochemical, and hematologic status. The effects of diets on uremic crises and mortality rate were compared. Changes in renal function were evaluated by use of serial evaluation of serum creatinine concentrations and reciprocal of serum creatinine concentrations.


RESULTS
Compared with the MF, the RF had a beneficial effect regarding uremic crises and mortality rate in dogs with mild and moderate renal failure. Dogs fed the RF had a slower decline in renal function, compared with dogs fed the MF.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary modifications are beneficial in minimizing extrarenal manifestations of uremia and mortality rate in dogs with mild and moderate spontaneous chronic renal failure. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that delay in development of uremic crises and associated mortality rate in dogs fed RF was associated, at least in part, with reduction in rate of progression of renal failure.
Jacob
Frederic
F
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108, USA.
Polzin
David J
DJ
Osborne
Carl A
CA
Allen
Timothy A
TA
Kirk
Claudia A
CA
Neaton
James D
JD
Lekcharoensuk
Chalermpol
C
Swanson
Laurie L
LL
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000662:veterinary; D018450:Disease Progression; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000662:veterinary; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary
D003404:Creatinine