Some more background information, from the source of the recipes we used:
(Translated in haset from Czech so please excuse any strange expressions. Hopefully it will be of food for thought though)....
Dogs with chronic renal failure
Kidney failure is a condition of renal insufficiency – meaning only 5% kidney function (or less). At this stage, unfortunately, we are unable to determine the cause of irreversible tissue damage kidney damage. We cannot cure the disease, unfortunately, nor are there available hemodialysis or kidney transplantations as in human medicine. We tried to thus improving the function of the remaining kidney tissue and the slowing of disease progression.
How do kidneys affect the body?
The kidneys filter blood insufficiently so poorly excreted toxic products of metabolism, they organism is flooded and it induces clinical signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea (uremic gastroenteritis). Kidneys of course not only excretory function - also forms the hormone erythropoietin, which is responsible for the formation of new red blood cells. Due to its scarcity anemia (anemia)ensues. Clinical symptoms of anemia is also the apathy, loss of appetite, intolerance to cold.
Measures for animals with chronic renal failure:
In the first place there are dietary measures. Special diet for animals with renal failure is based on a reduced protein content (proteins contain phosphorus, which contributes to the further deterioration of the kidneys); Protein in the diet, however, should be of the highest quality. These diets are manufactured by leading companies in the form of granules, cans or pouches. The advantage of these diets is accurately dispensed ratio of nutrients, minerals and vitamins according to the weight of the animal. Sometimes, however, the animal refuses to eat these, so he must be in accordance with special recipes to prepare homemade food. Feeding is better served in small doses and better heated to a suitable temperature (to be avoided hot!).
Commercial diets for patients with renal failure:
Waltham Royal Canine Renal
Hill's K / D
specific Renil
Purina NF
These diets are only available from vets.
- All these diets are available as granules, as well as in cans.
For patients with chronic renal failure a diet with less protein and low phosphorus content. The need for proteins in dogs with CRF higher than in healthy individuals (about 2.0 g / kg bodyweight / day, in healthy subjects, it is 1.25 g / kg bw / day). You need to start a diet at 2.0 to 2.5 g / kg bw, if symptoms of malnutrition are evident, increase the dose up to 3.5 g / kg bw
Foods suitable to low protein diets are shown in Table 1.
Said protein restriction concerns egg proteins. All other proteins are biologically less valuable !!
If the source of proteins other than eggs, then you need to put an upper limit restriction protejnů, in proportion to the value of biological resources. Most beef or chicken contains 20% protein, so the requirement 2 g protein / kg bw It is equivalent to 10 g meat / kg bw / day, with a correction due ki biological value (for meat is a biological value of 22% lower than in eggs), 12.2 grams of meat / kg bw / day. Whole egg contains about 13% protein, so the need asi1,5x is higher than that of meat, i.e. 15 g / kg bodyweight / day. If necessary to reduce hyperphosphatemia, it is preferable to eliminate from the diet yolk because it contains 20 times more phosphorus than white; when administered only albumen, its mass needed twice (20 g white / kg / day).
Meat is suitable for feeding every fifth day and inbetween, more eggs (See Table 2).
Suitable low-protein diet should also contain enough energy. The daily maintenance dose ranges from 65 to 110 kcal / kg, the actual requirements, however, are variable. The owner should therefore monitor your dog and sources of energy should be adjusted according to body weight gain or losses. Basic energy food can be cooked potatoes flavored eg. Adding butter or vegetable fat. But you can also select rice and pasta, at the time of uremic anorexia and cakes and sweets. When the threat of excess energy, it is possible to limit its sources in the diet and increase the proportion of carrot.
Because of hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphate levels) Ipakitine should be added, which balances the amount of phosphorus absorbed in the intestines.
Furthermore your pet should receive vitamins - particularly B and C, is ideal purchase special multivitamins (containing no phosphorus) for dogs / cats and dosed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Anemia in these cases can be solved by administering the hormone erythropoietin, initially administered injections 3 times a week, gradually reducing the dose and intervals extended. When administering erythropoietin it is appropriate to subsidize the body with iron. In animals, it is the best form of administering medicine Aktiferrin drops (OTC pharmacy).
A novelty therapy, omega-3 unsaturated fat, unfortunately an acid. But studies have shown that it protects the functional kidney tissue from further damage. These oils may be purchased as a dietary supplement in pharmacies in the form of capsules