Comparative palatability of five supplements designed for cats suffering from chronic renal disease

Abstract

BackgroundIntestinal phosphate binders, uremic toxin binders and some other types of supplements are an integral part of the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in various species, including cats. This pathology in domestic carnivores requires life-long nutritional and medical management. In this context, the compliance of owners and patients cannot be achieved without an adequate level of palatability for oral medication or supplementation. Knowing that hyporexia and anorexia are among the most commonly seen clinical signs in cats suffering from CKD this is already, in itself, a serious obstacle to acceptable compliance in sick animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the palatability of four commercially available products designed for cats suffering from CKD: Ipakitine® (Vetoquinol, France), Azodyl® (Vetoquinol, USA), Renalzin® (Bayer, France), Rubenal® (Vetoquinol, France) and an additional recently developed product: Pronefra® (Virbac, France). The study was performed with a group of previously-characterised cats, all living in an enriched and well-being securing environment of an independent centre housing panels of pets expert in palatability measurement. In total 172 monadic testings were performed. The palatability of each product was assessed by measuring their rates of prehension and consumption, and the consumption proportions were also analysed.ResultsThe most palatable presentation (based on useful consumption) was Pronefra®, which was significantly higher than Azodyl® (p = 0.046), Ipakitine® (p < 0.0001), Renalzin® (p < 0.0001) and Rubenal® (p < 0.0001). The product with the highest rate of prehension was also Pronefra®, which was significantly higher than Azodyl® (p = 0.0019), Ipakitine® (p = 0.0023), Renalzin® (p = 0.0008) and Rubenal® (p < 0.0001).ConclusionPronefra® was the most palatable presentation tested, meaning it may be useful for improving ease of supplementation in CKD cats.

ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

“…53 Offering alternative binders when needed may be appropriate, as palatability of the phosphate binders varies. 69,70 If calcium-containing phosphate binders are used, monitoring of serum calcium (ideally ionised) is recommended, as hypercalcaemia is occasionally seen as an adverse event. 53…”

Assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of Lantharenol® (lanthanum carbonate octahydrate) for cats

“…The FEEDAP Panel considered these four papers and found that one of them (Schmidt et al, 2012) in an unpublished formhad been already assessed in the previous application. The other three papers (DiBartola, 2010;Thom et al, 2013;Bernachon et al, 2014) did not provide any relevant additional information on the safety of the product when used for cats. Consequently, there is no new information available that would require the FEEDAP Panel to change its conclusions on target animal safety made in the previous Opinion on Lantharenol (EFSA, 2007).…”

Acceptability of flavoured pharmaceutically non-active mini-tablets in pet cats tested with a rapid 3-portal acceptance test with and without food

“…On the other hand, despite of the high individual variation, using pet cats is consistent with the EMA guideline ( EMA, 2014 ) for carrying out palatability tests for pharmaceuticals on companion animals with the target population. Some palatability assessments of pharmaceuticals have been conducted on client-owned pet cats ( Giraudel et al., 2010 , Gunew et al., 2008 , Huhtinen et al., 2015 , Litster et al., 2007 , Morton et al., 2011 ), and others on laboratory cats ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Bernachon et al., 2014b , Cron et al., 2014 ). Cats may have a timid nature and a fear of strangers or unfamiliar environments, and therefore owner-performed palatability testing would help to avoid stress, and thereby obtain more reliable results.…”

“…In our trials, the palatability was evaluated by the voluntary acceptance of the mini-tablet. In previous studies, the voluntary acceptance test has been used either without food ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Cron et al., 2014 ), with or without food ( Bernachon et al., 2014b , Huhtinen et al., 2015 ), or with food ( Gunew et al., 2008 ). Despite the possible food effects on the bioavailability of the pharmaceutical ( Ahmed & Kasraian, 2002 ), the voluntary acceptance of a pharmaceutical mixed with food is an animal-friendly administration method.…”

“…Laboratory kittens chose food containing large quantities of leucine ( Hargrove, Morris, & Rogers, 1994 ). Various methods have been used to assess the palatability of feline pharmaceuticals ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Bernachon et al., 2014b , Cron et al., 2014 , Giraudel et al., 2010 , Gunew et al., 2008 , Huhtinen et al., 2015 , Khor et al., 2011 , Litster et al., 2007 , Morton et al., 2011 , Traas et al., 2010 ) because a guideline on the demonstration of palatability of veterinary medicinal products has only been published quite recently by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA, 2014 ).…”