Small animal clinical nutrition - renal insufficiency

Question 1

CKD Prognosis and nutritional management depends on?

Answer 1

IRIS staging.

Question 2

Goals of nutritional management for CKD. (7)

Answer 2

• Slow the progress of the disease
• Maintain a nitrogen balance by providing the optimal amount of protein (aka not too much!)
• Ensure optimal non-protein calories
• Minimize azotemia and uremia and associated clinical symptoms
• Normalize blood phosphorus levels and prevent hyperparathyroidism
• Normalize blood pH
• Normalize electrolyte balance and ensure sufficient hydration

Question 3

What nutritional support can you use to help control renal induced hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 3

low phosphorus specialty diets and phosphate binders in food

Question 4

Composition of ideal feed in renal insufficiency. (7)

Answer 4

decreased saturated fatty acids (to reduce lipemia)

increased omega 3 fatty acids

decreased sodium (to reduce hypertension)

alkalizing components (to reduce metabolic acidosis)

increased soluble fiber (reduces BUN)

increased potassium (to avoid hypo- as losses with urine)

antioxidants

Question 5

Avoid what foods for cats with renal insufficiency?

Answer 5

avoid cheap commercial foods, they have acidifying properties and may cause or aggravate metabolic acidosis