Influence of modified protein diets on the nutritional status of dogs with induced chronic renal failure

The influence of a canine maintenance diet containing 44.4% protein (dry weight) and 2 reduced-protein renal-failure diets containing 8.2% or 17.2% protein (dry weight) on the nutritional status of dogs with induced chronic renal failure was evaluated for 40 weeks. Nutritional status was assessed by changes in serially determined body weights, hindlimb circumferences, serum protein concentrations, complete blood cell counts, serum cholesterol concentrations, glucose tolerance tests, and blood glucose concentrations. Evidence of suboptimum nutritional status was observed in dogs fed the 8.2% or 44.4% protein diets, but not in dogs fed the 17.2% protein diet. Only a small reduction in hindlimb circumference developed in dogs fed the 17.2% protein diet. Reduced body weight and hindlimb circumference and normocytic normochromic anemia developed in dogs fed the 44.4% protein diet. Reduced body weight and hindlimb circumference, hypoalbuminemia, hypoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, and normocytic normochromic anemia developed in dogs fed the 8.2% protein diet. A beneficial effect of moderate dietary protein restriction (17.2% protein) on the nutritional status of the dogs was observed. In contrast, excessive intake or restriction of dietary protein was associated with detrimental effects.