Cats required to help with kidney disease study
Veterinary researchers appeal to vets and cat owners to help with chronic kidney disease study
The Internal Medicine service are looking for cats with chronic kidney disease to help with a project that might lead to improved management of cats with disease.
They are investigating ways to prevent toxins that develop in the gut of cats with renal disease from entering the bloodstream and worsening disease.
New products
The study involves testing three novel products that, when added to food, have been proven to reduce inflammation and alleviate loss of kidney function in humans. Two of these comprise small carbon particles designed to bind to toxins in the gut, and the third is a probiotic supplement aimed at limiting the formation of gut toxins.
Can you help?
Our study has already shown that healthy cats fed these supplements displayed no side effects. The Internal Medicine team are now recruiting cats with chronic kidney disease to the project.
Cat owners will have the option to administer one of the three products in their pet’s food, and all participating cats will be closely monitored for adverse effects, including urine and faecal testing before and after the trial. Their welfare will also be assessed by a quality of life questionnaire. The products can be given alongside other treatments and are compatible with prescription kidney diets as well.
The study is being carried out by clinicians Ana Fernandez and Marina Domingues under the supervision of Silke Salavati. The study has been approved by the Veterinary Ethical Review Committee of the R(D)SVS.
If you would like more information or would like one of your patients to take part in this study, please email: Silke.Salavati@ed.ac.uk
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