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Retrospective studies suggest that on-line hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF)—which is different from standard dialysis in that it uses so-called high convective transport to remove additional substances over a wide range of sizes—may reduce kidney failure patients' risk of dying prematurely compared with standard hemodialysis . However, results from prospective studies have contradicted this finding.

To investigate the issue further, Francisco Maduell, MD, PhD (Hospital Clinic, in Barcelona, Spain) and his colleagues conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in which they assigned 906 dialysis patients either to continue hemodialysis or to switch to OL-HDF, with higher convective volume than in previous prospective trials. Patients were followed for three years.

Among the major findings over the course of the three-year study:

Compared with patients who continued on hemodialysis, those assigned to OL-HDF had a 30% lower risk of dying from any cause, a 33% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular-related causes, and a 55% lower risk of dying from an infection. The study's findings suggest that switching eight patients from hemodialysis to OL-HDF may prevent one annual death. Hospitalizations and dialysis sessions complicated by low blood pressure were lower in patients assigned to OL-HDF.

Source: Medical Xpress

by Stephanie Rabiner, Esq.

According to a new federal class action lawsuit, Nestle Purina's Waggin' Train Yam Good dog treats are responsible for the death of a 9-year-old Pomeranian named Cleopatra. The furry canine reportedly ingested one chicken jerky treat a day for three days before becoming ill and eventually dying of kidney failure.

The Waggin' Train lawsuit, filed by Cleopatra's owner Dennis Adkins, claims Nestle Purina Petcare Co. and Walmart knew that the treats posed a substantial risk of illness to pets, yet still manufactured and sold them.

This is not the first time chicken jerky dog treats have come under fire. In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration urged pet owners to use caution when feeding dogs chicken jerky treats from China. In November, the agency announced that it had seen a recent increase in related complaints, reports Reuters.

Adkins himself claims Nestle Purina knew of more than 500 cases involving chicken jerky treats imported from China. Nestle maintains the treats have always been "safe to feed as directed....

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by EmploymentCrossing

Lawsuit Filed over Dog Dying by Eating Waggin’ Train Treats

On Wednesday, Dennis Adkins from Illinois sued both Nestle Purina Petcare and Wal-Mart Stores, alleging that his 9-year old Pomeranian died from eating chicken jerky treats the defendants knew posed a substantial risk of illness or death. Adkins holds that a 9-year old dog dying from eating a dog treat is not “what nature intended.”

The federal lawsuit filed in Chicago seeks class-action status. Adkins, 57, claims that the packaging of Nestle Purina’s Waggin’ Train Yam Good dog treats claims the product as “just wholesome goodness” and “it’s what nature intended.”

Adkins said that after buying from Wal-Mart he fed the treats one each day from March 13 to 15 to his 9-year old Pomeranian, Cleopatra, without any change in the rest of her diet. But Cleopatra died on March 26 of kidney failure, while another 9-year old Pomeranian owned by Adkins, who was not fed the treat, did not become ill.

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