Kidney Disease? Your vet may have given you the wrong advice
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If your cat has Kidney Failure, most Veterinarians will advise that you place your cat on a low protein diet. Yet, there are no studies showing that restricting protein will prevent further deterioration of kidney function.
In fact Veterinary Cat Specialists are now advising to not restrict protein - they are advising to maintain protein levels and restrict phosphorus, the nutrient in animal protein that is damaging the Kidneys.
Restricting protein causes a variety of problems:
• Muscle wasting throughout the body. Your cat’s legs will be weaker, making it more difficult for your cat to walk.
• Your cat can become Anemic as a component of red blood cells (hemoglobin) is made up of protein.
• Your cat can have a decreased immune system – key components called Immunoglobulins are made of protein.
• Your cat may also have delayed ability to heal tissue – the cellular processes that perform this are made in part with protein.
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Some of what to do
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SOLUTIONS
FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. Make the switch to canned food. Look at adding in a water fountain.
PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION:
In early stages of Kidney Disease, the single biggest mineral which damages the kidneys is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Feed a diet lower in phosphorus and use phosphorus binders.
ALOH. Aluminum Hydroxide (ALOH) is a phosphorus binder that is used to reduce phosphorus levels in cats and dogs with renal failure. This product is odorless and tasteless and can be mixed with food (it must be administered with food). This is a dose-to-effect medication. A 2001 study by Peter Markewell (BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS) for the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition found that "...using a phosphate- and protein-restricted diet, in combination with oral phosphorus-binding agents in those cats in which control of hyperphosphatemia [high phosphorus] and RHPTH [renal secondary hyperparathyroidism] was not achieved by diet alone, resulted in more than doubling of average survival time from the commencement of treatment." The ALOH dose is ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs daily. The Generic Aluminum Hydroxide Gel Powder can be ordered online at www.thrivingpets.com.
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If your cat has Kidney Failure, most Veterinarians will advise that you place your cat on a low protein diet. Yet, there are no studies showing that restricting protein will prevent further deterioration of kidney function.
In fact Veterinary Cat Specialists are now advising to not restrict protein - they are advising to maintain protein levels and restrict phosphorus, the nutrient in animal protein that is damaging the Kidneys.
Restricting protein causes a variety of problems:
• Muscle wasting throughout the body. Your cat’s legs will be weaker, making it more difficult for your cat to walk.
• Your cat can become Anemic as a component of red blood cells (hemoglobin) is made up of protein.
• Your cat can have a decreased immune system – key components called Immunoglobulins are made of protein.
• Your cat may also have delayed ability to heal tissue – the cellular processes that perform this are made in part with protein.
----------------------------------------------------------
Some of what to do
----------------------------------------------------------
SOLUTIONS
FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. Make the switch to canned food. Look at adding in a water fountain.
PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION:
In early stages of Kidney Disease, the single biggest mineral which damages the kidneys is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Feed a diet lower in phosphorus and use phosphorus binders.
ALOH. Aluminum Hydroxide (ALOH) is a phosphorus binder that is used to reduce phosphorus levels in cats and dogs with renal failure. This product is odorless and tasteless and can be mixed with food (it must be administered with food). This is a dose-to-effect medication. A 2001 study by Peter Markewell (BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS) for the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition found that "...using a phosphate- and protein-restricted diet, in combination with oral phosphorus-binding agents in those cats in which control of hyperphosphatemia [high phosphorus] and RHPTH [renal secondary hyperparathyroidism] was not achieved by diet alone, resulted in more than doubling of average survival time from the commencement of treatment." The ALOH dose is ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs daily. The Generic Aluminum Hydroxide Gel Powder can be ordered online at www.thrivingpets.com.
You might also want to try NuVet Plus very low in phosphorus but high in the nutrition your cat needs.
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