Small Animal Medicine

Welcome to the Small Animal Medicine Studies Page!

If you would like more information about a study, or think you would like to enroll your pet, contact the person listed under the study. You may also Contact Us at the CIC.

Improved Management of Advanced Kidney Disease in Dogs Using an Intestinal-Based Probiotic Therapy

Current Status:  Active and enrolling.
Principal Investigator:
David Polzin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Contact:
Dr. David Polzin, 612-625-4254  E-mail: polzi001@umn.edu
Sara Pracht, CVT, 612-626-3574  E-mail: prach011@umn.edu

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily administration of an oral probiotic reduces signs of kidney disease and delays the onset of signs of uremia.  Uremia is the build up of wastes in the blood due to the loss of kidney function due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).  These wastes cause poor appetite, vomiting, lethargy and feeling ill. Probiotic therapy promotes elimination of these wastes through the intestines.

We are looking for dogs over 1 year old with chronic kidney disease with a serum creatinine of 3.0 – 8.0 mg/dl.  Dogs cannot have diabetes, hyperadrenocorticism, lupus or be on corticosteroid therapy.  Dogs in uremic crisis are not able to participate.

All dogs in the study will receive the most current recommended care for chronic kidney disease.  Dogs in the study will either get the probiotic treatment or a placebo. Owners will be willing to have a feeding tube placed in their pet to ensure correct nutrition, water intake and the study treatments.  The study involves follow-up visits for a year; all costs related to the study are covered beginning after placement of the feeding tube.

For more information, please call or e-mail.

For more information on our Small Animal Medicine Department, please click
here.