I might not check in here frequently so have sent PM previously with mobile FYI
Regarding Acerol vs Azodyl. Personally for my own cat, after being switched on Azodyl for 8.5wks so far, a review at the 7th week mark showed no difference in kidney values vs the previous year of being on Acerol. Aka either both don't work or both worked and maintained the same stabilised readings ;p Aka my cat kidney values would have read a bit higher if I did not use either product. I did do a transition and did not abruptly change between the 2 probiotics supplement.
More people talked about Azodyl because it's an American brand ( arguably more 'international'?) Plus it's out in the market longer I'm guessing. And its leased by the original inventor to Vetoquinol to market and manufacture... they are a pretty big player in animal products. Big marketing budget. Acerol don't seem to have public marketing done unlike Azodyl which does both to end users and people in the vet profession. Maybe Acerol only does trade marketing only to people in the vet profession. Hence perhaps these are why its less heard of or talked about. I consider both products in the same 'category' to relieve kidney workloads loh.
I have come across a few small tests run by either the manufacturer or studies by interested parties regarding Azodyl effects on companion animals (mainly cat dog only) Pls note that these are not recorded scientific trials, so it's not comparable to those actual trials ran in science-based medicinals. The sample sizes were too small and also does not strictly adhere to actual trial standards. I can't recall this particular article name / link atm but it states that Azodyl only improves at most approx 10% of kidney values in cats that respond to it (about half).
You should use a product for 3mths imo, then get a baseline reading for the kidneys. Then, switch if you really want to and then get another reading. Of cos, maintain everything else in between similar if not exactly the same. That includes food, environment and even attention paid to your cat. The only variable you can't control is aging. And potential disease progression....
My prev vet started my cat on Acerol when she was picked off the streets and sent for medical attn due to an infected bite wound that required hospitalisation. The kidney insufficiency was detected as part of the bloodworks done during that hospitalisation. I adopted my cat at that point because if she was returned to the streets with a cured wound, she still has kidney issues right?!
I was with this vet clinic for 3.5mths and had to switch after that. As the original vet was a locum who left, and this clinic does not have Ultrasound facilities and the owner vet is a guy - I prefer female vets haha, and wanted ease of Ultrasound scans so transferred to another vet. This clinic allowed me to continue filling my Acerol prescription despite not bringing my cat to be treated there anymore, aware that my current vet knows and is ok with. I'll be honest with you, my current vet does not carry Acerol nor Azodyl and does not believe in the product but is of the opinion that if it doesn't hurt then I shouldn't change any of my routine and continue using. My current vet is aware I switched from Acerol to Azodyl as the formula changed for Acerol.