Myocardial taurine concentrations in cats with cardiac disease and in healthy cats fed taurine-modified diets.

Myocardial taurine concentrations were measured in cats with cardiac disease and in healthy cats fed diets with various concentrations of taurine. Group 1 was composed of 26 cats with 3 categories of naturally developing cardiac disease: dilatative cardiomyopathy (group 1A), 10 cats; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (group 1B), 9 cats; and volume overload (group 1C), 7 cats. These cats had been fed various commercial diets. Group 2 was composed of 40 healthy cats that had been fed diets varying in taurine concentration (0 to 1% taurine) for at least 2 years. Mean myocardial taurine concentrations did not differ significantly between group-1 cats with dilatative cardiomyopathy and those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or volume overload. Cats in group 1A had a mean myocardial taurine concentration 3 times higher than healthy cats fed a taurine-free diet (P less than 0.002). Mean myocardial taurine concentrations did not differ significantly between group-1A cats and healthy cats fed a diet containing 0.02% taurine; group-1A cats had significantly lower mean myocardial taurine concentrations than did healthy cats fed a synthetic diet containing 0.05 or 1.0% taurine (P less than 0.001). Acute oral administration of taurine in 5 group-1A cats appeared to increase mean myocardial taurine concentrations, compared with similar cats not given taurine during treatment for cardiac failure. In group-2 cats, mean myocardial taurine concentrations increased directly with percentage of dietary taurine.     

Vitamin K deficiency in cats fed commercial fish-based diets

Clinical signs of vitamin K deficiency have been observed in cats offered two commercial canned diets high in salmon or tuna. Some of the queens and kittens offered these diets had died while survivors had increased coagulation times. Necropsies revealed hepatic and, or, gastrointestinal haemorrhages. Coagulation times of survivors returned to normal after vitamin K therapy. The purpose of this study was to induce a vitamin K deficiency in kittens and determine the dietary requirement. Kittens were offered vitamin K-deficient purified diets containing antibiotics and, or, substances inherent in canned fish diets that may have contributed to the deficiency. Clinical signs of vitamin K deficiency were not observed, even though one purified diet contained only 4 μg K₁/kg diet compared with 60 μg in the commercial tuna diet. Therefore, a minimum vitamin K requirement could not be determined using purified diets; nevertheless, canned commercial diets formulated primarily with fish should contain more than 60 μg K₁/kg diet.     

Insoluble fibres,satiety and food intake in cats fed kibble diets

Fibre is generally considered to dilute food energy, alter intestinal transit time and promote satiety; however, in cats, conflicting results have been found. In this study, two insoluble fibres were evaluated in four feline diets: control (no added fibre); diet with 10% sugar cane fibre; diet with 20% sugar cane fibre; and diet with 10% cellulose. The experiment was conducted with 32 cats, eight animals per diet, over 42 days: 1–7 for diet adaptation; 8–14 for total collection of faeces for digestibility; 15–17 for fresh faeces collection for fermentation products measurements; 18–20 for gastrointestinal transit time determination; 21 and 37 to evaluate the pattern of food intake; and 22 and 42 to assess satiety. Means were compared by analysis of variance and orthogonal contrasts, and the pattern of food intake was compared by repeated‐measures analysis of variance (p < 0.05). The cats exhibited increased food intake after fibre addition to the diets (p < 0.05), achieving similar energy consumption. Cellulose and the two levels of sugar cane fibre reduced nutrient availability and energy digestibility, but only sugar cane fibre reduced fat digestibility (p < 0.05). Faecal output and the number of defecations per day increased with fibre inclusion (p < 0.05). Gastrointestinal transit time did not change with sugar cane fibre inclusion, but it was reduced with cellulose addition (p = 0.032). The pattern of food intake did not change, but cats fed fibre‐supplemented diets exhibited greater consumption of a challenge meal, increasing energy intake (p < 0.01) when exposed to a palatable, energy‐dense food.     

Transmissible antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolated from random-source cats purchased for use in research.

Salmonella isolates from random-source cats designated for use in research were examined for antibiotic susceptibilities and the presence of plasmids containing R factors. The serotypes studied were Salmonella derby, S typhimurium, S anatum, S enteritidis, and S bredeney. Eighty percent of the isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The greatest frequency of resistance was to streptomycin. The majority of the salmonella isolates transferred all or a part of their antibiotic resistance to an Escherichia coli K-12 recipient. Thermosensitive R factors were found in two S typhimurium isolates.     

Evaluation of cats fed vegetarian diets and attitudes of their caregivers

OBJECTIVE: To determine motivation and feeding practices of people who feed their cats vegetarian diets as well as taurine and cobalamin status of cats consuming vegetarian diets. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 34 cats that had been exclusively fed a commercial or homemade vegetarian diet and 52 cats that had been fed a conventional diet for > or = 1 year. PROCEDURES: Participants were recruited through a Web site and from attendees of a national animal welfare conference. Caregivers of cats in both groups answered a telephone questionnaire regarding feeding practices for their cats. Blood was obtained from a subset of cats that had been fed vegetarian diets. Blood and plasma taurine and serum cobalamin concentrations were measured. RESULTS: People who fed vegetarian diets to their cats did so largely for ethical considerations and were more likely than people who fed conventional diets to believe that there are health benefits associated with a vegetarian diet and that conventional commercial cat foods are unwholesome. Both groups were aware of the potential health problems that could arise from improperly formulated vegetarian diets. All cats evaluated had serum cobalamin concentrations within reference range, and 14 of 17 had blood taurine concentrations within reference range. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vegetarian diets are fed to cats primarily for ethical considerations. Results of this study should aid practitioners in communicating with and providing advice to such clients.     

Tooth resorption and vitamin D3 status in cats fed premium dry diets

It has been suggested that tooth resorption (TR) in cats is associated with vitamin D3 status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any correlation between serum 25-OH-D concentrations and the prevalence of TR. The healthy adult domestic cats (n=64) of this study had been fed similar premium dry-expanded foods throughout their lives. Serum 25-OH-D was measured, and cats received a single, complete periodontal examination, with periodontal probing of each tooth and exploration of the tooth surface using a dental explorer A complete set of 10 dental radiographs was taken for each cat. There were 168 TRs diagnosed in 40 of 64 cats (85 were Type 1 TR and 83 were Type 2). The mean serum 25-OH-D concentration was 187.7 +/- 87.3 nmol/L. The mean serum 25-OH-D in cats with one or more TR was 164.2 +/- 78.8 nmol/L, compared with 226.8 +/- 88.2 nmol/L for those without TR (p = 0.14). The mean serum 25-OH-D in the 13 cats with >5 TR was 131.2 +/- 49.5 nmol/L, which was significantly less than in cats with no TR (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between TR type and serum 25-OH-D. There was no effect of age or sex on serum 25-OH-D. On the contrary, variations in serum 25-OH-D were observed according to the studied breeds. There was no relationship between TR type and serum 25-OH-D. TR prevalence was greater in cats with lower serum 25-OH-D concentrations. In conclusion, the hypothesis that higher serum 25-OH-D concentrations are associated with a higher prevalence of TR is not supported by this study.     

Owner impressions of three premium diets fed to healthy adult dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine owner impressions of 3 premium canine diets when factors such as price and retail source were removed; to compare body condition scores (BCSs) assigned by owners versus a veterinarian; and to determine consistency of owner impressions of diets when owners were not informed that they were feeding the same diet during 2 consecutive periods. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 44 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURE: During the initial 12 months of the study, dogs were each fed 3 premium diets for 4 months in random order. After feeding each diet for 1 and 4 months, owners completed questionnaires regarding palatability of the diet; the dog's attitude, energy level, fecal consistency, frequency of defecation, hair coat quality, and BCS; and whether they would feed the diet if available commercially. During the last 4 months of the study, owners fed the same diet they had been feeding during the previous 4 months. RESULTS: Scores for most variables did not differ among diets. However, mean BCS assigned by owners was significantly lower than mean BCS assigned by an investigator, with a moderate correlation between scores. When asked at the end of the third and fourth study periods whether they would consider feeding the diet long-term, 12 of the 44 (27%) owners gave inconsistent responses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that when unaware of retail price and source, owners have similar impressions of 3 premium diets fed to healthy adult dogs, suggesting that factors other than the diets themselves may affect owner impressions. Owners also underestimate their dog's BCS.     

Differential responses to dietary cobalt in finishing steers fed corn-versus barley-based diets

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary Co concentration on performance, carcass traits, and plasma, liver, and ruminal metabolites of steers fed corn- or barley-based diets. Sixty steers, initially averaging 316 kg, were stratified by BW and assigned randomly to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with factors being a corn- or barley-based diet and supplemental Co added at 0, 0.05, or 0.15 mg/kg of DM. Control corn-and barley-based diets analyzed 0.04 and 0.02 mg of Co/kg of DM, respectively. Steers were fed individually using electronic Ca-lan gate feeders. Cobalt supplementation increased (P < 0.05) DMI and ADG over the total study. From d 85 to finish, Co supplementation increased (P < 0.05) ADG by steers fed corn- but not barley-based diets. The G:F was increased (P < 0.05) by Co supplementation during the first 84 d but not over the entire finishing period. Average daily gain and G:F were greater (P < 0.05) for corn- vs. barley-fed steers. Supplemental Co increased vitamin B12 in plasma and liver (P < 0.05), and plasma vitamin B12 was greater (P < 0.05) in steers fed corn-vs. barley-based diets. Cobalt supplementation increased (P < 0.05) ruminal fluid vitamin B12 on d 84 in steers fed corn- but not barley-based diets. Folate was greater in plasma (P < 0.01) and liver (P < 0.05) of steers fed Co-supplemented diets. Increasing supplemental Co from 0.05 to 0.15 mg of Co/kg of DM increased (P < 0.05) liver folate in steers fed barley- but not corn-based diets. Supplemental Co decreased (P < 0.01) plasma methylmalonic acid concentration in steers. Increasing supplemental Co from 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg of DM decreased plasma and ruminal succinate concentrations, and steers fed barley-based diets had greater (P < 0.05) plasma and ruminal succinate relative to those fed corn-based diets. Addition of supplemental Co to the basal diets increased (P < 0.01) plasma glucose concentrations of steers, and steers fed corn-based diets had greater plasma glucose than those fed barley-based diets. Steers supplemented with Co had greater ruminal propionate (P < 0.01) and lesser (P < 0.05) ruminal acetate and butyrate proportions than controls. Supplemental Co increased dressing percent (P < 0.10) and HCW (P < 0.01) at slaughter. These results indicate that feeding steers corn- or barley-based diets deficient in Co adversely affects performance and vitamin B12 status.     

Serum lipid,enzyme, and hematological responses of broilers fed Acacia angustissima leaf meal-based diets

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of the study was to determine serum lipid, enzyme, and hematological responses of broilers to Acacia angustissima leaf meal. Acacia...     

Effects of crude protein and sodium intake on water turnover in cats fed extruded diets

The comprehension of strategies to increase urine production may be important, especially in kibble diets to prevent urolithiasis in cats. The effects of increasing amounts of crude protein (CP) and sodium on the water turnover of cats were evaluated using the water balance (WB) method and the deuterium dilution technique. The study followed a randomized block design, with three blocks of eight cats, two cats per food type in each block, and six cats per food. Four extruded diets with different amounts of CP and sodium were evaluated (on DM basis): 28% CP and 0.58% sodium; 39% CP and 0.64% sodium; 52% CP and 0.76% sodium; and 64% CP and 0.87% sodium. Cats were individually housed in cages for 8 days to measure WB, urea excretion, and faecal and urine characteristics. Deuterium oxide was used to evaluate water turnover, and during the period cats were housed in a collective cattery. The data were analysed by an F test, and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts. The ɑ level of significance was set at 0.05. The methods were compared by Pearson correlation, and Bland and Altman analysis. The increase in the CP content elevated linearly the renal excretion of urea (p < .001), and, together with the higher sodium intake, elevated the renal solute load, which resulted in a linear increase in urine production and water intake (p < .01). The urine density, metabolic water, and faecal and insensible water losses did not differ (p > .05). The water flux increased linearly when using the deuterium method (p < .001), but the obtained values were 20.85 ± 11.11 ml/cat/day higher than those verified using the WB method (p = .001). Higher CP and sodium amounts in dry diets increased the urine production and water consumption of cats, and this can be explored as a possible option to increase urination.     

Unconventional diets for dogs and cats.

Food plays a far more complex role in daily life than simply serving as sustenance. Social and cultural factors along with individual beliefs govern people's eating behaviors, and it is likely that these same factors influence their choice of diet and feeding practices for their pets. Some people seek alternatives to conventional commercial pet foods, including commercially available "natural" diets, raw food diets, and vegetarian diets, in addition to a variety of home-prepared diets. Exploring a person's knowledge and beliefs about feeding pets can aid in understanding her or his motives for seeking alternative and may help in changing those practices when it is in the best interest of the pet to do so.     

Hydrolyzed protein diets for dogs and cats.

The primary aim of a hydrolyzed protein diet is to disrupt the proteins within the diet sufficiently to remove existing allergens. Published assessment of hydrolyzed protein diets includes physiochemical and immunologic assays as well as nutritional and clinical feeding trials. Potential problems include poor palatability, hypoosmotic diarrhea, and a reduced nutritional value, although persistent allergenicity is the most significant. The primary indications for a hydrolyzed protein diet are use in elimination trials for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions, and the initial management of inflammatory bowel disease. Initial studies of hydrolyzed diet efficacy are encouraging. Consideration of the source ingredients should be given when using hydrolyzed protein diets in elimination feeding trials because antigenic sites may not be fully destroyed.     

Source of fiber influences growth,immune responses,gut barrier function and microbiota in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets

This study examined the impacts of different fiber sources on growth, immune status and gut health in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets. Sixty piglets (BW = 8.18 ± 1.35 kg) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments based on BW and gender in a randomized complete block design (5 replicates/treatment and 4 piglets [2 barrows and 2 gilts]/replicate): (1) an antibiotic-free diet (control, CON); (2) CON + 6% wheat bran (WB); (3) CON + 4% sugar beet pulp (SBP). Dietary WB supplementation tended to increase ADG compared with CON from d 1 to 14 (P = 0.051) and from d 1 to 28 (P = 0.099). Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) G:F compared with CON and SBP from d 1 to 14 and from d 1 to 28. Compared with CON, the addition of WB reduced (P < 0.05) diarrhea rate from d 1 to 14 and tended (P = 0.054) to reduce diarrhea rate from d 1 to 28. The addition of WB decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity on d 14, and up-regulated (P < 0.05) ileal mRNA levels of occludin on d 28 when compared with CON. Piglets fed WB showed decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 levels compared to those fed SBP and decreased (P < 0.05) ileal interleukin-8 levels compared to those fed CON and SBP on d 28. Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM compared with SBP on d 14, and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum IgA and ileal sIgA compared with CON and SBP on d 28. Piglets fed WB showed an enhanced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed SBP, while piglets fed SBP showed reduced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed CON. Compared with CON, the addition of WB elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospira and cecal butyric acid level. Piglets fed WB also showed increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Lachnospira and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae compared with those fed SBP. Collectively, the supplementation of WB to antibiotic-free diets improved performance, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota compared with the CON and SBP fed piglets. Therefore, supplementing weaned piglets with WB was more effective than SBP.     

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and plasma concentrations of urea N and protein, while increasing backfat thickness linearly (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 13.6% CP diet exhibited the poorest growth performance. On d 53, dietary CP affected plasma IGF-I (quadratic, P < 0.01) and leptin (linear, P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma leptin levels were correlated positively with backfat thickness (r = 0.76, P < 0.05) and negatively with LMA (r = − 0.64, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ADG and plasma IGF-I concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that adequate provision of nonessential AA and all EAA is required for achieving maximum growth performance and reducing fat accretion in growing pigs fed low-CP diets.     

Performance responses and indicators of gastrointestinal health in early-weaned pigs fed low-protein amino acid-supplemented diets

The effects of low-protein AA-supplemented diets on piglet performance, visceral organ mass, incidence of diarrhea, intestinal microbial population, and fermentation were studied in a 3-wk trial. After a 7-d adaptation period, 96 piglets (approximately 6.2 kg of initial BW) were assigned to 4 corn-wheat, soybean meal-based dietary treatments in a completely randomized design to give 6 replicate pens per treatment (n = 4 piglets per pen). The treatments were a control wheat-corn-soybean meal-based phase I diet containing 23% CP, or the same diet with CP reduced to 21%, 19%, or 17% and supplemented with crystalline AA to achieve equal standardized ileal digestible contents of Lys, Met plus Cys, Thr, and Trp in all diets. Diets were formulated to similar nutrient levels and provided ad libitum. Blood from all pigs was taken on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 for determining plasma urea N. Weekly feed intake, BW changes, and G:F were determined. On d 21, 2 pigs per pen were randomly selected and killed to determine small intestinal morphology, digesta pH and ammonia levels, and luminal microbial counts. Average daily feed intake, ADG, and G:F were not affected (P > 0.10) by reducing CP to 21%, but a reduction to 19% or 17% decreased ADFI (P < 0.001) and ADG (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.05) over the 3-wk study period. Reducing CP to 19% had no effect (P > 0.10) on G:F; however, this response criterion was decreased linearly (P < 0.001) over the 3-wk study period as dietary CP declined. Water usage was only numerically decreased (P > 0.10) with dietary CP reduction. Plasma urea N was decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with CP reduction. Reducing CP from 23 to 17% had a linear (P < 0.05) and cubic effect on stomach and liver weights, respectively. Although histological data showed some differences among diets, no distinct trend was evident. Ammonia N in ileal digesta was reduced linearly (P < 0.01) as dietary CP was decreased. With the exception of valeric acid, VFA levels in ileal digesta of piglets fed low-protein diets were generally lower (P < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Diet had no effect on intestinal microbial counts (P > 0.10). The results show that piglet performance may suffer when dietary CP is reduced by 4 or more percentage units from 23% and support the hypothesis that low-CP diets help maintain enteric health in pigs by lowering toxic microbial metabolites such as ammonia.     

Insulin responses to administrations of amino acids and fatty acids in healthy cats

In order to compare the stimulation ability of insulin secretion, we determined changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations after intravenous administration of various amino acids and essential fatty acids in clinically healthy adult cats. Plasma glucose concentrations were within the normal ranges after injection of amino acids and fatty acids. Plasma insulin concentrations increased rapidly 2 to 4 min after injection of arginine, then decreased to the basal levels at 20 min in all five cats. Insulin peak responses were significantly greater in arginine injections than in normal saline (P<0.01). Areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma insulin concentrations from 0 to 10 min after injection of arginine were significantly larger than after injection of normal saline (P<0.01) and glucose (P<0.05). Increases in AUC of plasma insulin concentration from 0 to 60 min were observed after injection of arginine, leucine, alanine, and fat emulsion. Arginine had a strong insulinotropic effect, and leucine, alanine, and fatty acids had weak ones. Besides, valine, methionine, taurine and glutamine had no stimulant activity of insulin. Given the risk of glucose toxication and required time for testing, the intravenous arginine tolerance test may be useful for estimation of insulin responses in cats.