Processing traits and digestibility of extruded dog foods with soy protein concentrate

Soya bean protein concentrate (SPC) with two particle sizes were evaluated on extrusion parameters, kibble formation, digestibility and palatability of dog foods. Eight diets were extruded: PBM—control diet based on poultry by‐product meal (PBM); GM—a diet in which corn gluten meal (GM) replaced 45% of the diet protein; cSPC15%, cSPC30% and cSPC45%—diets in which SPC of coarse particle size (600 μm) replaced 15%, 30% and 45% of the diet protein; and sSPC15%, sSPC30% and sSPC45%—diets in which SPC of small particle size (200 μm) replaced 15%, 30% and 45% of the diet protein. The digestibility of nutrients was evaluated for the PBM, GM, cSPC45% and sSPC45% diets, using six dogs per food. The PBM, GM and cSPC45% diets were compared for palatability. Data were submitted for analysis of variance, and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts or Tukey's test (p < .05). The cSPC increased the specific mechanical energy (SME) application, extrusion temperature and pressure linearly, resulting in lower kibble density and higher expansion and starch gelatinization (SG) (p < .01). When comparing the PBM, GM, cSPC45% and sSPC45% diets, higher SME, extrusion temperature and pressure, SG and kibble expansion were verified for the cSPC45% diet (p < .05). The DM, fat and crude protein digestibility were similar among diets. Faecal pH, ammonia and lactate did not differ, demonstrating that the removal of oligosaccharides and soluble non‐starch polysaccharides of SPC produces an ingredient with mostly non‐fermentable fibre. Dogs preferred the PBM to the GM diet (p < .05), but consumed the PBM and cSPC45% foods equally. In conclusion, SPC exhibited good extrusion functionality, favouring kibble expansion and SG, with high digestibility, similar to that of PBM. The removal of soluble compounds from soya beans resulted in an ingredient with low fermentable fibre content, which did not alter faecal formation or characteristics.     

Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma

Currently, antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), are frequently isolated from canine superficial pyoderma in Japan. However, little is known regarding the nasal prevalence of MRSP in pet dogs. Here, we determined the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma. Of the 125 nares and 108 affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma, 107 (13 species) and 110 (eight species) staphylococci strains, respectively, were isolated. The isolation rate of S. pseudintermedius from pyoderma sites (82/110 strains, 74.5%) was significantly higher than that from nares (57/107 strains, 53.3%) (P<0.01). Notably, the prevalence of MRSP (18/57 strains, 31.6%) in nares was equivalent to that in pyoderma sites (28/82 strains, 34.1%). Furthermore, the phenotypes and genotypes of antimicrobial resistance in MRSP strains from nares were similar to those from pyoderma sites. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in the nares of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma is the same level as that in affected sites. Therefore, considerable attention should be paid to the antimicrobial resistance of commensal staphylococci in companion animals.     

Relationship between a plant-based ‘vegan’ pet food and clinical manifestation of multiple nutrient deficiencies in two cats

A topical subject in human nutrition is the steadily growing number of people choosing to limit or completely avoid all animal-derived food products either for moral dilemma, health concerns or both. To meet people's will of applying their dietary choices to their domestic animals, the pet food industry answered by launching on the market some plant-based diets. This leads to concerns about whether these diets are adequately formulated to satisfy the target species nutritional requirements, especially for cats which are still considered strict carnivores. This case report follows a 2-year-old male neutered Main Coon and a 1-year-old female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat, presented to the nutrition service of the University of Toulouse, France. Reason for consultation was lethargy with in anamnesis a recent dietary transition to a plant-based pet food. Dysorexia, lethargy and muscle waste were present at first consultation. Progressive weight loss developed during follow-ups. A macrocytic, non-regenerative anaemia with serum folates below reference were the main clinical features. Analysis of pet food showed multiple nutrients below minimum recommendation at the average daily intake of both cats. Folic acid supplementation improved dysorexia, and subsequent reintroduction of animal-derived ingredients in the diet restored appetite, weight and a normal mentation in both cases.     

Policies for the vaccination of cats and dogs in New Zealand veterinary practices

AIMS: To determine current practices and attitudes towards vaccination of dogs and cats of veterinarians in New Zealand; the methods used for informing clients on which vaccines to use, and the preferred site for vaccination of cats.

METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 483 listed veterinary practices in New Zealand during February 2012. Some questions were specific to pet dogs, cats, or working farm dogs. Responses were categorised according to practice type and geographical region of the respondent. Factors associated with respondent recommendation of annual vaccination with modified live viral (MLV) vaccines were examined using logistic regression analysis. Vaccines that were considered to be essential for every animal were defined as core; those that may be recommended for animals whose location or lifestyle placed them at risk, were defined as non-core.

RESULTS: There were 204 useable returns, equivalent to a response rate of 42.2%, distributed across the country. Annual vaccination with MLV vaccines of dogs was recommended by 54/198 (27.3%) respondents, and of cats by 107/181 (59.1%) respondents. Factors associated with the recommendation of annual administration of MLV vaccines to dogs included being a companion animal practice, a desire for policies on vaccination to be left to individual clinics, and having one veterinarian in the practice. Administration of the final vaccination for puppies was recommended at ≥14 weeks old by 55/185 (29.7%) respondents, and for kittens at ≥13 weeks old by 42/183 (23%) respondents. Of respondents that administered MLV vaccines annually, 62/103 (60.2%) believed reducing the frequency of vaccination would reduce income, and 52/103 (50.5%) considered it would have a negative effect on animal health. Advice to enable clients to decide which non-core vaccines were administered was given by 181/199 (91%) respondents. Factors considered when recommending a vaccine included consideration of risk to individual patients (190/203; 93.6%), requirements of boarding kennels/catteries (165/203; 81.3%) and clinic vaccination policy (142/203; 70%). The preferred site for administering MLV vaccines to cats was the dorsal neck or inter-scapular region (137/198; 69.2%). Amongst respondents, 18 wanted disease surveillance information to allow for truly informed decisions to be made about vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Veterinarians can now compare their own vaccination practices and attitudes with those of veterinarians nationally, and internationally. There is a need for national surveillance information and for continued education of the public and commercial kennel and cattery owners for optimal vaccination strategies to be developed.     

Antioxidant properties of blackberry and blueberry fruits grown in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Seven wild and ten cultivated blackberries (Arapaho, Bartin, Black Satin, Bursa 1, Bursa 2, Cherokee, Chester, Jumbo, Navaho, and Ness), and six lowbush (Vaccinium arctostaphylos) and four highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberries fruits (Ivanhoe, Jersey, Northland, and Rekord) were analyzed for total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in this study. The respective ranges of total anthocyanin and total phenolic contents of the tested samples were: blackberries, 0.95–1.97 and 1.73–3.79 mg g⁻¹ and blueberries, 0.18–2.94 and 0.77–5.42 mg g⁻¹. FRAP values varied from 35.05 to 70.41 μmol g⁻¹ for blackberries, 7.41 to 57.92 μmol g⁻¹ for blueberries. Wild blackberries had the highest FRAP values while wild blueberries had the highest total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents. A linear relationship was observed between FRAP values and total phenolics for blueberries (r = 0.981). The anthocyanin pigments in samples were isolated and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV–visible detection. Cyn-3-glu was the predominant anthocyanin in all blackberry fruits.     

宠物犬源沙门氏菌和葡萄球菌耐药性及耐药基因检测

【目的】了解新疆乌鲁木齐市宠物犬源沙门氏菌和葡萄球菌的耐药性及耐药基因携带情况。【方法从77份宠物犬直肠粪便样品中分离沙门氏菌和葡萄球菌,采用琼脂稀释法对分离的菌株进行药敏试验,通过PCR方法对沙门氏菌6类23种耐药基因和葡萄球菌5类9种耐药基因进行检测。【结果】从77份宠物犬粪便样品中分离到沙门氏菌36株,葡萄球菌75株。除头孢噻呋、安普霉素、阿米卡星、硫酸庆大霉素和多黏菌素外,宠物犬源沙门氏菌对其他被捡抗菌药物的耐药率高达97.0%以上,多重耐药以8耐为主,tetB、blaTEM、blaOXA、qnrS、oqxA、oqxB、aac(6′)-Ib-cr、ant(3″)-Ia和floR基因检出率在97.0%以上。宠物犬源葡萄球菌对左氧氟沙星(93.5%)、苯唑西林(90.7%)和氟苯尼考(82.9%)耐药率在80.0%以上,多重耐药集中在4耐、6耐和9耐,主要检出的基因为fexA(40.0%,30/75)和femA(18.7%,14/75),其次为tetM(16.0%,12/75)、ermB(14.7%,11/75)和mecA(1.3%,1/75)。【结论】宠物犬源沙门氏菌和葡萄球菌耐药情况严重,耐药基因携带率高,使宠物犬的细菌性疾病治疗难度加大,应加强耐药菌的监测,降低宠物犬源耐药菌转移给人的潜在风险。     

专业建设与改革的实践思考

围绕宠物经济产生了一系列的相关产业,并孕育了不少的新兴职业,如宠物医师、宠物美容师、牵犬师、宠物训导师、宠物健康护理员等。以培养宠物类高技能人才为目的,阐述了关于专业建设与改革与思考,探讨宠物类人才培养模式。     

灭蚤项圈对犬、猫蚤的临床试验

采用自身对照试验，以自然感染栉首蚤（Ctenocephalides sp．）的犬与猫为试验动物，验证常熟市金牧药业有限公司生产的灭蚤项圈（犬用、猫用）对蚤的杀灭与防治效果。结果表明：在整个试验期间，所有参与试验的犬、猫均未出现任何不良反应，犬、猫在挂项圈（即用药）后第14～60天，杀虫率分别在97．3％～98．4％与96．6％～98．0％之间，杀虫效果极显著（P〈o．01）。证明灭蚤项圈（犬用、猫用）对犬、猫安全可靠，能长期杀灭犬、猫蚤类。     

不同颜色防虫网覆盖栽培对豇豆生长发育的影响

研究了不同颜色（白色、黑色、红色、蓝色、绿色、银灰色）防虫网覆盖对栽培豇豆生长发育的影响。从豇豆的生育期、株高、茎粗、叶面积及叶绿素含量指数、产量和病虫害等方面综合考虑,在三亚地区绿色防虫网是较适合豇豆栽培的覆盖材料。