Pilot Study Evaluating the Use of a Commercially Available Oral Nutritional Supplement in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) would willingly consume an oral nutritional supplement formula (NS-CKD) and to assess associated effects on select clinical and biochemical parameters. Methods: Client-owned cats with CKD classified as International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 2 (n = 7), IRIS stage 3 (n = 12), or IRIS stage 4 (1 cat) were classified by the owners as having normal or variable appetites. The cats were offered 30 ml NS-CKD for 14 days concurrently with a meal in a separate bowl and the amount of the NS-CKD consumed daily was recorded. Bodyweight, physical examination, and serum biochemical profiles were assessed on Days 0, 7, and 14. Results: Greater than 50% of the NS-CKD was consumed by 14 of 20 (70%) cats and 12 of 20 cats (60%) consumed >80% of the NS-CKD. The total volume of NS-CKD consumed over the course of the study was statistically greater for the cats classified by owners as having normal appetite (P = 0.046). Increases in body weight were noted for 9 of 14 cats (64.3%) that ingested >50% of the NS-CKD and 1 of 6 cats (16.7%), that ingested ≤ 50% (p = 0.1409) and the group mean % change in body weight was greater in the cats that ingested >50% of the NS-CKD (P = 0.023). The volume of NS-CKD consumed correlated to the % change increases in serum bicarbonate concentration (R = 0.4998; P = 0.02) and was weakly correlated to % change decreases in serum phosphorus concentration (R = 0.0406; P = 0.08). Conclusions: In this pilot study, the NS-CKD was accepted by most cats, no adverse effects were noted, and several findings suggest that the product was associated with ameliorating some metabolic complications which suggest it could be considered in the management of cats with CKD.