Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Azodyl sprinkled on food does not improve kidney disease in cats
By Rishniw, Mark & Wynn, Susan G·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2011·Veterinary Information Network, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Azodyl, a synbiotic, fails to alter azotemia in cats with chronic kidney disease when sprinkled onto food.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 10 cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were given either a probiotic-prebiotic supplement (synbiotic) or a prebiotic only to see if it would help lower their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, which indicate kidney function. The treatments were mixed into their food or given as a slurry for two months. Unfortunately, neither treatment showed any improvement in kidney function, meaning the synbiotic did not help reduce the symptoms of CKD when given this way. Pet owners should avoid using this synbiotic in their cats' food as it was ineffective.
People also search for: cat chronic kidney disease treatment · cat kidney health supplements · probiotics for cats with kidney disease
Abstract
The effect of probiotic therapy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is poorly defined, but gaining in popularity. However, cat owners often prefer to administer probiotics by combining them with food, rather than administering capsules intact, as is prescribed by the manufacturer. The efficacy of such non-recommended administration is unknown. In this double-blinded, controlled clinical trial, 10 cats with naturally-occurring CKD were randomized to receive either a probiotic-prebiotic combination (synbiotic) or psyllium husk (prebiotic only) for 2 months. Medications were sprinkled and mixed into food or given as a slurry. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured twice prior to administration of medication, and then monthly for 2 months during the medication administration. Owners and clinicians were masked as to treatment. The maximal percentage change in BUN and creatinine was calculated for each cat. No differences in percentage change were detected between groups (P=0.8 for both BUN and creatinine). The synbiotic supplement used in this study, when applied to food or administered as a slurry fails to reduce azotemia in cats with CKD. Therefore, owners should not administer this synbiotic in this manner.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21571563/