Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a leading cause of pet mortality. Since CKD is a common result of aging, it is the leading cause of death among older cats and dogs. Because the kidney is a resilient organ and can compensate for a gradually decreasing amount of normal nephrotic tissue, the disease progresses slowly and exhibits few symptoms in its early stages. Without laboratory testing it can go unnoticed by even the most observant veterinarians and pet owners.

Previously, when labs tests revealed renal insufficiency, veterinarians had few options for managing its inevitable progression. These options included special diets to limit phosphorous or protein intake and palliative care to provide temporary relief from symptoms in end-stage cases. Delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options have meant frustration for veterinarians and heartbreak for clients.

Chronic Kidney Disease is a progressively deteriorating, multi-factorial condition that may involve one or more of the following: hypertension, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia, and proteinuria. All of which can cause a cascade of inflammatory processes while contributing to scar tissue formation or fibrosis,. Interventions at an early stage to minimize the negative consequences of fibrosis are one of the key strategies in managing progressive renal disease.

Azodyl: Enteric dialysis reduces azotemia or toxins in the blood to help prevent further kidney damage. Azodyl is a patented formulation of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria that work through a process of Enteric Dialysis to metabolize and flush uremic toxins that have diffused into the bowel.
Epakitin: Chitosan-based intestinal phosphate binder that decreases phosphatemia. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from crab and shrimp shells. Epakitin has been proven effective as a phosphate binder, decreasing phosphatemia in cats and dogs without adversely affecting other bio-chemical values.
Renal K+ and Other Brands: Potassium supplement for easily managing hypokalemia. The most common cause of hypokalemia is chronic renal insufficiency resulting in excessive amounts of potassium being excreted in the urine and a parallel inability to absorb enough from the stomach and intestines. Renal K+ is a highly palatable potassium gluconate supplement with B-complex vitamins to manage hypokalemia associated with renal insufficiency in cats and dogs.