Clinical Benefit of Calcitriol in Feline Chronic Renal Failure: A Clinical

In contrast to previously completed uncontrolled studies of chronic kidney disease in cats, the investigators found, through their controlled study, that calcitriol doesnt appear to improve appetite, physical activity or pet-owner interactions. In addition, they found no evidence that this type of therapy alters the course of kidney disease in cats. Although calcitriol appears to have no long-term adverse effects in cats, investigators recommend against its use given its expense and apparent lack of therapeutic effectiveness. However, because the drug was tested in cats with early stage disease, investigators stress that a follow-up study would be appropriate to evaluate whether calcitriol therapy may effectively impact the outcome of the disease in the long-term.