Vetoquinol Azodyl Kidney Health Supplement for Dogs & Cats, 90ct - Probiotic Pet Wellbeing - Help Support Kidney Function & Manage Renal Toxins - Renal Care Supplement - Easy-to-Swallow Small Caps

My kitty's BUN numbers had increased 20 points over normal within two months, and she is in stage II of IV of CRF. I started her on the Azodyl, and a month later, her numbers have decreased 10 points. She She is also on subcutaneous fluids twice a week.I tried using pill pockets to administer the capsules, but she decided since there was something hard inside, she'd chew it first. Of course, once she tasted the powder, she wouldn't eat it. I also tried dumping the powder inside the pill pocket - again, no luck, plus, they pack a lot of powder into the capsules, and I had to use two pill pockets. So, I broke down and mixed it in with a teaspoon of her prescription wet food (Science Diet K/D). Bingo. She laps it up now with no argument. The manufacturer does state the probiotic should be given on an empty stomach. However, their website also states if it is given with no more than a teaspoon of food, it should be okay. I have also read that a teaspon of full fat yogurt also might work.For those of you having difficulty with your pet eating the prescriptive canned food, I had to mix it with regular canned food for about a week. Little by little, I began to mix in less of the regular canned food until all I did was put a teaspoon on top of the prescriptive food. My cat now is eating only prescriptive dry and wet food. Also, my kitty is on Cosaquin for her arthritic hips, and mixing that into the prescriptive wet food was helpful getting her to like it (different feeding than the Azodyl).However, I must state that my cat has maintained a voracious appetite. If your pet is refusing food, try mixing the powder into a very small amount of tuna water (liquid dissipates the probiotics too fast). Some people whose pets were much worse off than mine have had great results with Azodyl and their pets regained their appetite. A very small percentage have not had luck with it (BUN levels over 150). However, please don't give up; this probiotic is at least worth a try for a month.Update:My kitty's numbers continue to fall toward normal, albeit not quite there. However, the vet is very happy with my cat's progress and her condition is no longer considered "guarded." She looks and feels great. I am still mixing the Azodyl with a small amount of food twice a day. Considering my cat's progress, the vet did not feel giving the probiotic with a small amount of food was an issue.Straight from the manufacturer's website: "Azodyl capsules should be given whole and not opened or crushed. If necessary, administer capsule with a piece of the animal's favorite food or treat." For more information, see: [...]

Why did you pick this product vs others?:This product has SAVED my 15 yr old kitty's life! She was diagnosed about 8 months ago with hyperthyroidism and then shortly after, kidney disease. She was throwing up multiple times a day and losing weight rapidly. We are on month 2 of using this product and she is finally starting to gain weight and puking WAY less often! No issues with administering.. I just cut the capsule and sprinkle in her wet food twice a day.

I ordered 3 bottles of Azodyl, a nutritional supplement that supports renal function in cats & dogs " Azodyl administered orally on a daily basis has the potential to decrease BUN levels and prolong survival in renal insuficiency." As soon as my oldest Great Dane was diagnosed with kidney disease, I researched the disease (in dogs) for hours, days, and weeks. I came across Azodyl, which my vet recommended it to me as well. Directions are that it must be refrigerated at all times.When it was delivered to my back door, with no knock from my mailman, I assume it was sitting there at least 3 hours. I opened it right away. It was packed in a sealed metallic, air bubbled bag to keep the contents cold, and inside the bag were the 3 bottles, and 3 ice packs - all completely melted to water and not cold at all. The bottle labels were wet from the bags defrosting, and I put them in the refrigerator immediately. Then, I called Amazon cust. service immediately to ask if they were now no good. The representative assured me that they should be fine, and the manufacturer (Vetoquinol)stated that they could be at room temperature up to 3 days. It was 90 degrees out when it was delivered, and arrived on a Monday, USPS Priority. So it was mailed on a Thursday.I have used 1 bottle, and have seen absolutely NO change in my dog whatsoever. I have been debating on going back and trying longer, or just returning the other 2 unopened bottles.If you order ANYTHING that needs refrigeration, place it on a Mon, Tue, Or Wed. The item may just not work for her, or it was not kept cool enough and the bacteria were destroyed.