Source: AVMA
A retrospective study examined whether feeding a Veterinary therapeutic renal diet to cats with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) slows disease progression and improves survival. Researchers analyzed medical records from Veterinary clinics in the United States and Canada, identifying 1,430 cats diagnosed with early CKD (Stages 1 and 2). Of these, 839 cats were consistently treated with a renal diet, while 591 received no dietary treatment.
Using targeted maximum likelihood estimation modeling, the study found that cats fed a renal diet had significantly lower risks of disease progression. Treated cats in Stage 1 had a 45% lower hazard of progression, while Stage 2 cats had 41–46% lower hazards compared with untreated cats. Median time to disease progression was also longer in treated cats. Survival analysis showed improved outcomes: cats receiving renal diets lived an average of 31 months over three years, compared with 26 months in untreated cats. Overall, early dietary intervention with a renal diet slowed CKD progression and modestly increased survival in affected cats.
Read the full story HERE: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.10.0665/javma.25.10.0665.xml