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cat illnesses |
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Cat illnesses
K is for ... KIDNEY DISEASE (See also URINARY
TRACT DISEASE & SUBCUTANEOUS
FLUIDS):
Calcitriol: Calcitriol
Reference Guide - THE Calcitriol Reference site. Contains Dr.
Larry Nagode's articles, compounding sources, dosage protocol, Owner's
Orientation & other Veterinarian comments. This is the site to print
out articles for discussion with your vet. Questioning the Low Protein Diet for Kidney patients: The importance of feeding your cat high protein, high fat & low carbohydrate diets is just emerging with new research. There has never been any conclusive evidence that protein causes kidney damage. In fact, feeding low protein diets to CRF cats may actually contribute to muscle wasting and weakness. Cats are carnivores and require high levels of protein in their diets. Feeding low protein diets may actually "starve" them, and the theory is they break down their own muscle tissue to supplement their protein requirements. Dry food is between 35-50% carbohydrates while canned food is generally around 10%. Canned food is better for urinary tract health because of the higer water content. High carb, dry food diets are being linked to the epidemic development of feline diabetes. These articles are MUST READS for new information on proper diets for carnivores: The "Catkins
Diet" - American Veterinary Medical Association With respect to renal failure, recent research suggests it may actually be the lower phosphorous content of prescription diet foods that slows the progression of renal failure, rather than the lower protein. A couple of quotes to think about: From the Veterinary Infomation Network, September 2003: "CRI Management: General Suggestions (Including Information On Protein
Restriction) An effect of protein restriction on the progression of
CRF has been looked for for YEARS and no effect was found until a
couple of studies recently. These studies need to be run in larger
numbers of animals, in a randomized, controlled study. And it remains
to be determined whether protein restriction itself, or phosphorus
restriction, is providing the benefit. A low protein diet is a low
phosphorus diet, and controlling hyperparathyroidism prolongs survival
in CRF. Veterinarians (and most veterinary nephrologists) continue
with the mantra that "protein is bad" but this is wrong, was wrong,
and will always be wrong. Every benefit that folks have seen, over
these many years from protein restriction, was really due to the phosphorus
restriction. Even though pet food manufactureres cannot practically
(inexpensively) separate protein from phosphorus in their food sources,
pet owners can (and should) -- simply by adding in cooked egg whites
to an otherwise protein and phosphorus restricted diet. Egg whites
contain no cells, so no cell membranes loaded with phosphorus, so
they have very very low levels of phosphorus." From Southpaws Veterinary Clinic: "Many patients are initially diagnosed with CRF when already in
a protein malnourished state and negative nitrogen balance (significant
weight loss and poor body condition, poor haircoat, hypoalbuminemia).
The clinical signs of protein malnutrition suggest that catabolism
has been chronic, sustained for possibly months before these signs
become detectable. This state develops because protein depletion forces
body proteins to be catabolized to meet regular nutritional needs." Presentation, Small Animal Veterinary Association, "Restriction of dietary protein has been recommended for patients with CRF based primarily on the premise that protein catabolites, retained because of excretory failure, contribute to uraemic signs. The potential risks of protein restriction in the cat’s diet are, however, considerably greater than for the dog. The cat is unable to down-regulate hepatic enzyme activity associated with protein catabolism even when dietary protein intake is low,(18) thus it is particularly at risk of protein malnutrition. Conclusions: Delmar R. Finco, DVM, PhD "The conflicting results from the two studies of cats will require
further study for resolution. The negative results from the second
study indicate that protein restriction in cats with renal disease
remains to be proven as an effective maneuver for ameliorating progression
of renal disease" KITTEN CARE & BIRTHING:
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