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VSPN AOW : Survey of dietary and med...
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Survey of dietary and medication practices of owners of cats with chronic kidney disease.J Feline Med Surg. December 2015;17(12):979-83.1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.; 2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.; 3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.; 4 Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.
© ISFM and AAFP 2014.
AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe the dietary and medication patterns of cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study, owners of cats with CKD were asked to complete a web-based survey. The study was advertised on CKD-, pet-, veterinary- and breed-associated websites and list serves. Owners of 1089 cats with CKD participated in the study. The mean reported age of the cats with CKD was 13.7 ± 4.2 years. Forty percent (430/1089) of cats had concurrent diseases, with hyperthyroidism, heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease being the most common. Veterinarian recommendation was the most common reason reported (684/1032; 66%) for diet selection, and 51% (556/1089) of owners fed a veterinary therapeutic diet formulated for kidney disease as some component of the diet. Many owners (466/1079; 43%) reported that their cats had an abnormal appetite; of these owners, 52% responded that their cats had a poor appetite or required coaxing to eat 5-7 days per week. Forty-seven percent and 51% of cats were receiving subcutaneous fluids and oral medications, respectively; however, most cats (811/1036; 78%) were not receiving phosphorus-binding medications. Fifty-six percent and 38% of cats received commercial cat treats and dietary supplements, respectively. Anorexia or hyporexia is a common problem in cats with CKD and may lead to cats being fed suboptimal diets for their disease. This information may be useful for treating or designing nutritional studies for cats with CKD.
Companion NotesProspective, cross-sectional descriptive survey of the dietary and medication practices of owners of cats with chronic kidney disease
Study design - study population: 1089 owners of cats with CKD - procedure: - study advertised on CKD-, pet-, veterinary- and breed-associated websites (and list serves) - owners asked to complete a web-based survey
Results - history & signalment - mean reported age: 13.7 ± 4.2 years of age - Siamese, 6%, Persian, 3%, Maine Coon, 2% - indoor only cat, 80% - multi-cat household, 69% - suburban environment, 50%; urban environment, 28%; rural, 22% - 430 (40%) of the cats had concurrent diseases - hyperthyroidism, 11% - heart disease, 8% - inflammatory bowel disease, 6% - diabetes mellitus, 4% - neoplasia, 3% - hypertension, 3% - kidney disease - 58% of owners were able to report cat’s most recent creatinine level - 5% classified as IRIS stage 1 - 38% IRIS stage 2 - 37% IRIS stage 3 - 19% IRIS stage 4 - 23% of owners reported that their cat had never had a urinalysis performed - reason for diet selection - veterinarian recommendation, 66% - internet resources, 25% - pet stores, 5% - diets - therapeutic diet formulated for kidney disease was part of diet, 51% - 77% used 1 brand; 17% alternated between 2 brands - over-the-counter commercial diet, 51% - either alone or in combination with a veterinary therapeutic diet - 14% of cats were fed veterinary therapeutic diets not intended for CKD - lower urinary tract disease, 24 of the 156 (15%) - diets intended for adverse food reactions, 8% - commercial cat treats, 56% - dietary supplements, 38% - vitamins, minerals or other supplements - B vitamins most commonly followed by fatty acids - cat's appetite - abnormal appetite, 43% - 52% of these cats reported cat had a poor appetite or needed coaxing - 24% had to coax their cat to eat 1-2 days per week - 25% had to coax their cat to eat 3-4 days per week - 52% had to coax their cat to eat 5-7 days per week - 41% fed a mixture of canned and dry foods - 2% fed a home-cooked diet - food always available, 46% - once daily feeding, 2% - twice daily feeding, 21% - 3 or more times daily feeding, 30% - treatment - subcutaneous fluids, 47% - oral medications, 51% - famotidine, 298 owners - phosphorus-binding medications, 225 - most commonly aluminum hydroxide, 64% of the 225 - 78% (811/1036) were not receiving phosphorus-binding medications - angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 90 - method of giving medications - directly in cat’s mouth, 459 owners - crushed in food, 219 - compounded into liquid or flavored treat, 144 - in a treat designed to own a pill, 125 (Pill Pocket; The Nutro Company) - in human foods, 38
"Pill administration in any cat, but particularly in the hyporectic or anorectic cat, can be a challenge. The majority of owners in this study reported administering medications directly into their cat’s mouth, which is consistent with a recent study of owners of cats with hyperthyroidism…."
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