Effects of three diets on dogs with induced chronic renal failure

Healthy mixed-bred dogs of both sexes had renal mass surgically reduced and were allowed 2 to 3 months for hypertrophy of the remnant kidney. They were then allotted into 3 groups with equal renal function and were fed 1 of 3 diets that differed in composition. Group 1 dogs (n = 6) were fed moist food that contained 50% protein, 2.34% Ca, and 1.64% P with a P-binding agent (basic aluminum carbonate gel) added. Group 2 dogs (n = 6) were fed a dry diet that contained 24.5% protein, 1.26% Ca, 1.21% P, and the same P-binding agent as used for group 1. Group 3 dogs (n = 7) were fed a moist diet that contained 16.1% protein, 0.38% Ca, and 0.3% P without a P-binding agent. Each group was fed its diet for 92 days and monitored for responses. Mortality associated with uremia occurred in 2 of 6 group 1 dogs, 0 of 6 group 2 dogs, and in 2 of 7 group 3 dogs. Among survivors, clinical signs were seen in the more azotemic dogs of group 1, but not in dogs of groups 2 and 3. The blood urea nitrogen, plasma P concentrations, and PCV values were most favorable in group 3 and least favorable in group 1. Marked differences between groups were not seen in plasma concentrations of protein, albumin, or Ca or in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Values for glomerular filtration rate did not change in any group during the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)