Food-Related Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure occurs sporadically in dogs and cats, but an etiologic agent is not often identified. Recently, acute renal failure has been reported following consumption of certain brands of pet foods released to the market beginning in early December 2006. Brands affected in this recall are listed at www.menufoods.com/recall.

Although there is tremendous media interest in this situation, there is no medical information available to veterinarians. To provide information and guidance to veterinarians about the diagnosis, management and outcome of this form of acute renal failure, The Animal Medical Center's Renal Medicine Service has reviewed all chemistry profiles obtained at AMC between March 17-20, 2007.

Owners of pets with azotemia [an excess of urea or other nitrogenous wastes in the blood as a result of kidney insufficiency] have been contacted to determine if the pets had eaten the recalled foods. During this time period 143 chemistry profiles were performed and 5% of pets who had a chemistry profile obtained in that time period have been determined to have food-related acute renal failure. At this time, AMC has identified 12 cases of food-related acute renal failure, 8 cats and 4 dogs. Age range was 2-14 years with a mean age of 7.4 years.

Based on this survey, we can provide the following limited information about food-related acute renal failure. All pets had at least one clinical sign of acute renal failure: 75% had anorexia, 50% had polyuria and polydipsia, 50% had vomiting and 50% lethargy. The course of the disease before presentation to AMC ranged from 1 to 60 days. Mean creatinine was 7 mg/dl with a range of 2.1-14.8 mg/dl. Mean BUN was 110 mg/dl with a range of 33-210 mg/dl. Three pets were diagnosed on an out-patient basis. Nine animals were hospitalized of which 3 (2 dogs, 1 cat) died or were euthanized despite treatment. Six were discharged from the hospital. Four of these were discharged with persistent azotemia. Our follow-up time is short and the long-term prognosis is unknown.

Dr. Cathy Langston of AMC's Renal Medicine Service has the following recommendations for the diagnosis and management of your patients with acute renal failure from consumption of recalled pet food:

A urine specific gravity is a quick and easy screening test for acute renal failure. If the specific gravity is >1.035 for cats and 1.030 for dogs, acute renal failure is not the diagnosis. If the specific gravity is less than these values, a chemistry profile should be evaluated to determine if the pet is azotemic.

Intravenous fluids should be administered if the pet is symptomatic for acute renal failure. Hemodialysis is indicated in pets with worsening creatinine despite adequate fluid therapy, oliguira, anuria, hyperkalememia or intractable signs of uremia.

Contact: Michael Shepley
Public Relations Consultant to The Animal Medical Center 70 Battery Place #102 New York, NY 10280
212-786-9064
Fax 212-786-9065
Cell (only works when I'm out): 917-907-2677 shepleypr@aol.com