Legacy of Expertise Continues

Dr. Cedric Dufayet can’t recall a time when he didn’t want to be a veterinarian. Now a nephrologist at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center – San Diego (UCVMC-SD), he leads a specialized hemodialysis and urinary disease program, one of about 15 in the country, and one of just a few in the state. 

A native of France, Dufayet directed his studies towards veterinary work early on in his school career. After obtaining his veterinary degree from France’s Alfort School of Veterinary Medicine, he worked on further specializing in small animal, nephrology and urology, and even obtained a degree in human hemodialysis. He joined the Advanced Extracorporeal (Hemodialysis) and Urinary Disease Service at UCVMC-SD as a Fellow in Renal Medicine and Extracorporeal Therapies, and was then invited to stay on as a specialist.

In particular, the service is known for its ability to treat dogs and cats with hemodialysis. The same kind of treatment that is offered to humans with kidney conditions is also available to Southern California’s pet community, thanks to  specialized veterinarians such as Dufayet and the state-of-the-art equipment at UCVMC-SD.

The work life of a veterinarian with a specialty such as Dufayet’s is varied, including the work hours – he cares for patients with non-emergency conditions during normal business hours and occasionally sees emergencies on evenings/weekends. In his work with nephrology and urology patients, he diagnoses and treats conditions such as chronic kidney disease, recurrent urinary tract infections, incontinence, and bladder stones.  

And then there are the specialized treatments, such as diagnostic and interventional cystoscopy, and extracorporeal therapies (hemodialysis and therapeutic plasma exchange). The field of veterinary hemodialysis is decades old, and UC Davis was at the forefront of developing this important treatment, providing lifesaving care for beloved companion animals. When UCVMC-SD opened in the early 2000s, it was a priority to be the first veterinary facility in Southern California to provide hemodialysis. 

“There is a legacy of UC Davis being at the forefront of veterinary extracorporeal therapies,” Dufayet said. “I feel fortunate to be one of the veterinarians carrying on this legacy.”

Veterinary extracorporeal therapies encompasses various treatment methods and indications. “We receive a multitude of cases,” Dufayet said. “Most patients treated with hemodialysis have an acute kidney injury or have accidentally ingested something like ibuprofen or antifreeze, and the therapy helps to clear the toxins from their bloodstream.”

Dufayet is also paying his fellowship training forward. Now a faculty member, he teaches the next generation of nephrologists in the fellowship program. He hopes the move to the new Hobbs Center UC Davis will allow for additional fellows to carry forward this lifesaving work. 

In terms of what pet owners can do to support their beloved companion animals,  Dufayet emphasizes the importance of routine checkups and preventive care. “Regular blood work is paramount for early diagnosis of kidney disease,” said Dufayet. 

“If your pet is over seven years old, annual blood work will show early signs of kidney disease. And if your veterinarian does find something, seek specialized care early – we can help create a treatment plan when there is time to provide support for a longer, healthier life.”

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Learn more about the UC Veterinary Medical Center - San Diego’s Advanced Extracorporeal (Hemodialysis) and Urinary Disease Service.

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