Body composition of dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease: a follow-up of the Nephrology Department at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Córdoba

• Grant number: 24/21851-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 28, 2025
• End date: March 29, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Aulus Cavalieri Carciofi
• Grantee: Letícia Araújo Silva
• Supervisor: Carmen Maria Pineda Martos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/18426-6 - Evaluation of body composition of dogs with chronic kidney disease, BP.IC

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with polyuria, polydipsia, proteinuria, and cachexia, the latter being a loss of muscle mass associated with the disease caused by protein catabolism. Insufficient protein intake can contribute to the development of cachexia, reducing the patient's survival. However, excessive dietary protein intake can worsen the uremic condition of CKD. Currently, the protein requirements of dogs and cats with CKD remain unknown. Evaluating the body and muscle condition of dogs with chronic kidney disease is crucial for preventing cachexia and increasing the animal's survival.The aim of this research internship, through collaboration with the Nephrology Department at the University of Córdoba, is to monitor patients with chronic kidney disease to gain a better understanding of the disease, its clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, it will involve discussing the results obtained from ongoing research in Brazil with the internship supervisor.