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Azodyl is a probiotic (friendly bacterial) supplement for chronic renal failure (CRF). Our elderly shih-tzu has been taking Azodyl every day for two years. The ingredients are Kibow Biotics®, that is E. thermophilus (KB 19), L. acidophilus (KB 27), B. longum (KB 31), and Psyllium husk.
Along with daily Azodyl, Dufus eats canned Science Diet KD to take some of the strain off his kidneys. The food is bland, but he has learned to look forward to it, and his appetite has improved. Azodyl is for the prevention of azotemia (elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels. It does not cure kidney disease, but slows down the buildup of these toxins in the digestive system, and thereby helps prevent further kidney damage.
Does it work? It’s hard to say how much of Dufus’s improvement is due to his diet and how much to Azodyl. However, I can say that we started him on Azodyl after changing his diet to Science Diet Canine KD. There was some improvement with the food, but after adding Azodyl and taking it for a while, he no longer has “dragon breath” and his blood tests have shown a very slow progression of renal failure. He is energetic for a dog of his age and still loves to go for long walks. The evidence is more anecdotal than scientific, but strong enough that we have kept up the Azodyl for a long period of time.
I anticipated a struggle getting Dufus to take the capsules, but he takes them readily when wrapped in a pill pocket, which is less messy than cheese or peanut butter. We have not observed any bad side effects from Azodyl, just good things.
The downside of Azodyl is the cost. From the vet, a 60-capsule bottle, or 20-day supply for a small dog, is about $44. The last time I purchased it from Amazon.com, I paid about $26.50. This supplement has to be kept cool (below 5° Centigrade). Medi-Vets is the closest supplier to where we live, so we order from them. They ship promptly and surround the product with cold packs inside an insulated bag, which is, in turn, packed in a box. I order it on a Monday morning so that it arrives on Wednesday without any intervening weekend days or holidays. As soon as it arrives, it goes into the fridge.
Azodyl is a winner for effectiveness, but the cost is almost prohibitive, and special shipping requirements require planning ahead.
