Effect of Porus One on Reducing Uremic Toxins in Cats with Naturally Occurring CKD
Uremic toxins are substances that build up in the body due to decreased removal by the kidney. They are increased in patients with CKD and correlate to severity of disease. Indoxyl sulfate is one of the most studied uremic toxins and comes from byproducts of protein metabolism in the gut. It is thought to contribute to progression of CKD including increasing fibrosis and inflammation in the kidney as well as affecting other body systems such as the heart, bones, and muscle. Porus One (Renaltec) is a new patented pure carbon product that acts as an adsorbent of the protein byproduct so that it cannot be absorbed and converted into indoxyl sulfate. Instead, it is excreted in the feces. Porus One has been shown to decrease indoxyl sulfate in normal geriatric cats. The purpose of this study is to assess its effect in cats with CKD.
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Efficacy of Potassium Citrate as a Treatment for Metabolic Acidosis in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) and metabolic acidosis (high amount of acid in the body) are two very important consequences of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to worsened clinical signs at home. Metabolic acidosis plays a role in progression of CKD and its treatment has been shown to improve long-term outcome in human patients with CKD. However, the treatment of metabolic acidosis in cats with CKD remains a challenge, with very few safe and effective options available. Potassium citrate is a medication normally used to supplement potassium that also has alkalinizing properties which allow it to correct metabolic acidosis with minimal side effects. However, there is very little information available in veterinary medicine regarding the efficacy of potassium citrate as a treatment for metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the purpose of this study to evaluate whether potassium citrate can effectively correct metabolic acidosis in cats with chronic kidney disease in comparison to a non-alkalinizing form of potassium supplementation.
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Hormonal Regulation of Appetite in Cats with and without Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and progressive condition in cats that can eventually result in a decreased appetite. This loss of appetite is a significant contribution to illness in these patients and can become a concern related to quality of life. In humans with CKD decreased appetite can occur due to dysregulation and imbalance in the hormones that control appetite. The purpose of our study is to investigate whether cats with CKD have altered concentrations and ratios of the hormones that control appetite. The long-term goal is to acquire information that can be used to help tailor treatment strategies for cats with CKD.
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