Endogenous fat losses and true and apparent fat digestibility in adult and growing dogs fed diets containing poultry offal fat

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dietary nutrients, endogenous fat loss (EFL), dietary metabolizable energy (ME) content, coefficient of true digestibility (CTD) of fat and faecal parameters of dogs. A total of 16 puppies and 8 adult dogs were distributed according to a double Latin square experimental design. A basal diet was formulated, to which increasing levels (60, 120 and 180 g/kg) of poultry offal fat oil were added. EFL was estimated using hyperbolic and linear regression as a function of LW/day and dry matter (DM) intake, respectively, and the CTD of fat was calculated. The CTTAD of acid-hydrolysis ether extract (AHEE) and ME content increased as dietary poultry offal fat level increased both in adult dogs and in puppies (p < .05). The CTTAD of DM and crude protein were higher in adult dogs than in puppies. EFL was estimated by hyperbolic regression as y = 98.1094 − 13.6202/x and y = 99.1280 − 26.1366/x, where y = CTTAD of AHEE (%) and x = AHEE intake/kg BW, for adult dogs and puppies, respectively, which yielded EFL values of 138 and 262 mg AHEE per kg BW per day for adult dogs and puppies respectively. The EFL estimated by linear regression was 7.89 g and 8.97 g/kg DM intake for adult dogs and puppies respectively. The CTD estimated by both methodologies was higher in puppies than in adults (p < .05). Lower faecal DM and score, and higher ammonia production were obtained in puppies than adult dogs (p < .05). The results indicate good fat utilization and that fat digestibility is underestimated, as the CTTAD of AHEE does not take into account EFL, particularly at low-fat inclusion levels and in growing dogs, which have greater EFL than adult dogs.     

The prevalence and significance of hyperglycemia in hospitalized cats

Objective – To report the prevalence of hyperglycemia in cats admitted to a veterinary hospital and to determine if hyperglycemic cats had increased morbidity and mortality when compared with normoglycemic cats.
Design – Retrospective clinical study.
Setting – Community-based referral hospital.
Animals – Nondiabetic cats admitted to the hospital.
Interventions – None.
Measurements and Main Results – The medical records of nondiabetic cats admitted to the hospital over a 1-year period were reviewed. There were 182 cats that met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Information obtained included signalment, length of hospitalization, initial and highest blood glucose measurement, diagnosis, treatment, and final disposition. Sixty-three percent of cats (116/182) were hyperglycemic at the time of presentation. Total incidence of hyperglycemia at any point during hospitalization was 64% (118/182). No association was found between hyperglycemia either initially or at any point during the hospitalization and mortality. However, a significant association was documented between the presence of hyperglycemia and increased length of hospitalization (LOH) ( P =0.04). The duration of LOH was also significantly associated with the degree of hyperglycemia ( P =0.01). A number of different disease processes were represented in the study population. However, the number of cats in each disease category was small and no association could be found between any of them and blood glucose affecting mortality and morbidity.
Conclusion – The prevalence of hyperglycemia in feline patients admitted to a primary referral hospital was 64%. Cats with hyperglycemia had a longer LOH when compared with normoglycemic cats; however, presence of hyperglycemia did not impact mortality in this population of cats.     

Quality of life assessment in dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy – a review of current methods

This study aimed to review currently reported methods of assessing the effects of chemotherapy on the quality of life (QoL) of canine and feline patients and to explore novel ways to assess QoL in such patients in the light of the experience to date in human pediatric oncology. A qualitative comparative analysis of published papers on the effects of chemotherapy on QoL in dogs and cats were conducted. This was supplemented with a comparison of the parameters and domains used in veterinary QoL‐assessments with those used in the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL^?) questionnaire designed to assess QoL in toddlers. Each of the identified publications including QoL‐assessment in dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy applied a different method of QoL‐assessment. In addition, the veterinary QoL‐assessments were mainly focused on physical clinical parameters, whereas the emotional (6/11), social (4/11) and role (4/11) domains were less represented. QoL‐assessment of cats and dogs receiving chemotherapy is in its infancy. The most commonly reported method to assess QoL was questionnaire based and mostly included physical and clinical parameters. Standardizing and including a complete range of potentially relevant parameters in future QoL assessments may benefit owner decision making.     

Nutrient digestibility,but not mineral absorption,is age‐dependent in cats

Availability of nutrients is influenced by extremes of age, and a better characterization of this influence is necessary for appropriate development of foods and nutritional management throughout life stages of cats. This study investigated nutrient digestibility, mineral absorption, faeces and urine production in three groups of six young, mature and old cats fed two diets containing different energy densities. Apparent digestibility and mineral absorption were calculated by total collection method and values were tested with anova and regression analysis. A quadratic relationship was detected between age and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, acid‐hydrolysed fat and starch in the low‐energy diet. Starch digestibility showed the same response in the high‐energy diet. Young adult cats had intermediate digestibility, mature cats the highest and old cats the lowest. Mineral absorption (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride) and urinary pH were not different among groups. These findings confirm previous studies that found low digestibility of nutrients in some old cats, and support evidence that this trend is even more important in less digestible dry foods. On the contrary, data suggest that mineral formulations do not need to be varied in diets for adult cats of different ages.     

内源磷和磷的真消化率评定方法

磷(P)是动物体内必需的矿物质元素,具有重要的生物学功能。但是,磷的过多又会造成浪费和环境污染。只有磷的真消化率才能够更准确、真实地反映动物对磷的消化吸收情况。因此准确测定内源磷的排泄量和准确测定磷真消化率已经变得至关重要。本文介绍了几种测定内源磷和磷真消化率评定方法。     

A comparison of total calcium,corrected calcium,and ionized calcium concentrations as indicators of calcium homeostasis among hypoalbuminemic dogs requiring intensive care

Objective – (1) To evaluate whether total calcium (tCa) correlates with ionized calcium (iCa) in hypoalbuminemic dogs; (2) to evaluate whether calcium adjusted for albumin (Alb), or total protein (TP), or both accurately predict iCa concentrations and hence can be used to monitor calcium homeostasis in critically ill hypoalbuminemic dogs; and (3) to evaluate factors associated with any potential discrepancy in calcium classification between corrected total and ionized values. Design – Prospective observational clinical study. Setting – Small animal intensive care unit in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Animals – Twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs with hypoalbuminemia. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – iCa was determined using ion‐specific electrode methodology, on heparinized plasma. The tCa concentration was adjusted for Alb and TP using published equations. In total 29% (8/28) of the hypoalbuminemic, critically ill dogs in this study were hypocalcemic at intensive care unit admission, as determined by iCa measurement. Corrected calcium values failed to accurately classify calcium status in 67.9% and 64.3% of cases, according to whether the Alb‐adjusted or TP‐adjusted values, respectively, were used. The sensitivity and specificity of the tCa to evaluate hypocalcemia was 100% and 47%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the correction formulae were 37.5% and 79% for the Alb‐adjusted values and 37.5% and 74% for TP‐adjusted values. tCa overestimated the presence of hypocalcemia and underestimated the presence of normocalcemia, while corrected calcium values overestimated the presence of normocalcemia and underestimated the presence of hypocalcemia. Conclusions – Calcium homeostasis in hypoalbuminemic critically ill dogs should be evaluated by iCa concentrations rather than tCa or calcium adjusted for Alb or TP. Given that tCa has 100% sensitivity for detecting hypocalcemia in this population it is recommended that all hypoalbuminemic and critically ill patients with low tCa should be evaluated with an iCa measurement.     

Development of a questionnaire assessing health-related quality-of-life in dogs and cats with cancer

Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) has been studied extensively in human medicine. There is currently no standard HRQoL evaluation for veterinary oncology patients. The aim of this study was to assess the practicality, usefulness and robustness, from a pet owner and clinician perspective, of a questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in canine and feline cancer patients. A HRQoL assessment entitled 'Cancer Treatment Form' and two questionnaires entitled 'Owner Minitest' and 'Clinician Minitest' were designed. The first and second were completed by owners of patients presenting to a veterinary oncology referral service and the third by attending clinicians. The 'Cancer Treatment Form' was well received by owners and clinicians and provided a valuable assessment of HRQoL with 98% (82/84) of owners reporting an accurate reflection of their pet's quality-of-life. Following this, minor improvements to the form could be suggested prior to regular use in evaluation of clinical oncology patients.     

Influence of diet on calcium metabolism, tissue calcification and urinary sludge in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Rabbits absorb more calcium (Ca) from their diet than they require, and excrete surplus via urine, which therefore contains a typical 'sludge'. This makes rabbits susceptible to Ca-containing uroliths. But given the Ca content of diets of free-ranging specimens, and the limited reports of urinary sludge and Ca contents in free-ranging lagomorphs, we can suspect that rabbits are naturally adapted to high urinary Ca loads. We fed four groups of New Zealand hybrid rabbits [n = 28, age at start 5-6 weeks) pelleted diets consisting of lucerne hay only (L, Ca 2.32% dry matter (DM)], lucerne:oats 1:1 (LG, Ca 1.36%), grass hay only (G, Ca 1.04%), or grass:oats 1:1 (GG, 0.83%) for 25 weeks, with water available ad libitum. Diets were not supplemented with Ca, phosphorus, or vitamin D. Rabbits on diets LG and GG had lower food and water intakes, lower faeces and urine output, grew faster and had higher body mass at slaughter (mainly attributable to adipose tissue). Apparent Ca digestibility decreased in the order L-LG-G/GG. Rabbits on L had larger and heavier kidneys, more urinary sediment at sonography, and a higher urinary Ca content than the other groups. No animal showed signs of urolithiasis/calcinosis at X-ray, sonography, or gross pathology. Kidney/aorta histology only sporadically indicated Ca deposits, with no systematic difference between groups. Under the conditions of the experiment, dietary Ca loads in legume hay do not appear problematic for rabbits, and other factors, such as water supply and level of activity may be important contributors to urolithiasis development in veterinary patients. However, due to the lower Ca content of grass hay, the significantly lower degree of urinary sludge formation, and the significantly higher water intake related with grass hay feeding, grass hay-dominated diets are to be recommended for rabbits in which urolithiasis prevention is an issue.     

Comparison of two questionnaires to assess gastrointestinal toxicity in dogs and cats treated with chemotherapy*

Questionnaires completed by pet owners are widely used instruments to monitor adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects in the owners' animals undergoing chemotherapy and for reporting toxicoses in clinical trials; however, no questionnaires have been formally evaluated. This study compares two questionnaire-based evaluations of adverse GI events: a basic, open-ended questionnaire and a detailed questionnaire modelled after the grading in the Veterinary Co-operative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE). Owners completed both questionnaires after their dog or cat received moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Results were used to derive toxicity grades for anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea. We evaluated 123 pairs of questionnaires. Disagreement in grade of anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea was found in 24, 7 and 13% of paired questionnaires, respectively (κ = 0.63, 0.83 and 0.71, respectively). Although 'good' to 'very good' agreement was found, the potential for only 'fair' agreement between questionnaire methods is of concern and suggests a need to adopt a standardized form.     

Risk of anaesthetic mortality in dogs and cats: an observational cohort study of 3546 cases

Objective To evaluate the anaesthetic death risk for dogs and cats in a French private practice. Study design Observational cohort study. Animal population All small animals anesthetized at the Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire des Cordeliers between April 15th, 2008 and April 15th, 2010. Methods General anaesthesia was defined as a drug‐induced unconsciousness characterised by a controlled and reversible depression of the central nervous system and analgesia, sufficient to allow endotracheal intubation. Patient outcome (alive or dead) was assessed at the end of anaesthesia defined as the meeting point of the return of consciousness, rectal temperature >36 °C and ability to maintain sternal recumbency. Death occurring during anaesthesia was recorded. Relationship between anaesthetic death and ASA status, species, age, nature of the procedure, anaesthetic protocol and occurrence of epidural administration of a combination of morphine and bupivacaine were analysed. Results During the study period 3546 animals underwent general anaesthesia. The overall death rate in the present study was 1.35% (48 in 3546, 95% CI 0.96–1.75). The death rate of healthy animals (ASA 1 and 2) was 0.12% (3 in 2602 95% CI 0.02–0.34). For sick animals (ASA status 3 and over), the overall death rate was 4.77% (45 in 944 95% CI 3.36–6.18). The death rates in the ASA 3, 4 and 5 categories were 2.90%, 7.58% and 17.33%, respectively. The main factor associated with increased odds of anaesthetic death in ASA categories 3 and over was poor health status (ASA physical status classification). The nature of the procedure the patient underwent and epidural administration of a combination of morphine and bupivacaine were not correlated with the occurrence of death during anaesthesia. Neither species nor age effects were detected. Conclusion and clinical relevance Specific factors were associated with increased odds of anaesthetic death, especially poor health status. Efforts must be directed towards thorough preoperative patient evaluation and improvement of clinical conditions if possible. Identification of risk factors before anaesthesia should lead to increased surveillance by trained staff. This could result in better outcomes.     

The use of 25% human serum albumin: outcome and efficacy in raising serum albumin and systemic blood pressure in critically ill dogs and cats

Objective: To report on the use of 25% human serum albumin (25% HSA) (Plasbumin®), associated outcome, and efficacy in raising serum albumin and systemic blood pressure (BP) in critically ill dogs and cats. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Animals: Client‐owned cats and dogs. Interventions: Administration of 25% HSA. Measurements and main results: The medical records of 66 animals (64 dogs, 2 cats) at the Ontario Veterinary College, which received 25% HSA (Plasbumin®) from June 1997 to December 2001 were reviewed for age, body weight, clinical problems, albumin and globulin (g/L) levels pre‐ and within 18‐hour post‐transfusion and upon discharge from hospital, total solids (TS), systolic and diastolic BP pre‐ and post‐transfusion total volume administered, adverse reactions, blood products and synthetic colloids used, and outcome. Twenty‐five percent HSA was prescribed for a range of clinical problems, which were grouped into 6 categories for analysis. The age range was 4 months–12 years and body weight range 1.4–65 kg. The maximum volume administered to any dog was 25 mL/kg, mean volume administered was 5 mL/kg, maximum volume given as a slow push or bolus was 4 mL/kg with a mean of 2 mL/kg volume. The range for a constant rate infusion (CRI) was 0.1–1.7 mL/kg/hr over 4–72 hours. Forty‐seven (71%) animals survived to discharge; 11(16%) were euthanized, and 8 (12%) died. Serum albumin and TS increased significantly (P<0.0001) above pre‐transfusion levels as did systolic BP (P<0.01). Conclusions: Twenty‐five percent HSA can be safely administered to critically ill animals, and an increase in albumin levels and systemic BP can be expected.     

Primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs and cats

The most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs and cats is a solitary adenoma involving an extracapsular parathyroid gland. The prognosis is excellent if the affected parathyroid gland is removed. Nonsurgical methods are discussed, although there are no current data to support any benefit over conventional surgery. The common postoperative complication to consider is hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can be successfully managed in these animals if it is anticipated and treated promptly.     

Lithium dilution cardiac output and oxygen delivery in conscious dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Objective: Compare cardiac index (CI) and oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) in conscious, critically ill dogs to control dogs; evaluate the association of CI and DO₂I with outcome. Design: Prospective non‐randomized clinical study. Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Eighteen client‐owned dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and 8 healthy control dogs. Measurements and Main Results: CI of dogs with SIRS was measured using lithium dilution at times 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Data collected included physical exam, arterial blood gas (ABG) and hemoximetry. CI of control dogs was measured 3 times with 1 measurement of ABG. Mean CI ± SE in SIRS patients was 3.32 ± 0.95 L/min/m²; lower than controls at 4.18 ± 0.22 L/min/m² (P<0.001). Mean DO₂I ± SE in SIRS patients was 412.91 ± 156.67 mL O₂/min/m²; lower than controls at 785.24 ± 45.99 mL O₂/min/m² (P<0.001). There was no difference in CI (P=0.49) or DO₂I (P=0.51) for dogs that survived to discharge versus those that did not. There was no difference in mean CI (P=0.97) or DO₂I (P=0.50) of survivors versus non‐survivors for 28‐day survival. Survivors had lower blood glucose (P=0.03) and serum lactate concentrations (P=0.04) than non‐survivors. Conclusions: CI and DO₂I in conscious dogs with SIRS were lower than control dogs, which differs from theories that dogs with SIRS are in a high cardiac output state. CI and DO₂I were not significantly different between survivors and non‐survivors. Similar to previous studies, lactate and glucose concentrations of survivors were lower than non‐survivors.     

A pilot study to assess tolerability of early enteral nutrition via esophagostomy tube feeding in dogs with severe acute pancreatitis

Background: The putative role of the gut in amplification of systemic inflammation in acute pancreatitis is gaining credence, and intraluminal nutrition has been shown to decrease inflammation in experimental models of pancreatitis. Prepyloric feeding often is used in people with acute pancreatitis, but has not been evaluated in dogs. Hypothesis: Early intervention with enteral nutrition (EN) delivered proximal to the pylorus will be well tolerated in dogs with acute pancreatitis and provide justification for further larger trials. Animals: Ten dogs with severe acute pancreatitis in an open‐label, prospective pilot study. Methods: Dogs were treated with plasma transfusion and standard care, and then consecutively assigned to receive either EN via esophagostomy tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN). Outcome was used to determine optimal study size for future studies, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results: A significantly greater number of vomiting or regurgitating episodes occurred in dogs receiving PN. The dogs receiving EN did not demonstrate any noticeable postprandial pain. There were more catheter‐related complications in the PN group. There was no difference in outcome between the 2 treatments, and 43 dogs for each treatment would be required in future studies to determine a difference in outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Early EN delivered proximal to the pylorus is well tolerated in dogs with severe pancreatitis and resulted in fewer complications than PN. Prospective trials in a larger cohort are justified to fully establish the potential benefit of early EN, preferably compared with minimal enteral nutrition.     

Effect of a novel animal milk oligosaccharide biosimilar on macronutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal tolerance,fecal metabolites,and fecal microbiota of healthy adult cats

GNU100 is a novel animal milk oligosaccharide (AMO) biosimilar. In a recent in vitro fermentation study, GNU100 was shown to be fermentable by feline gastrointestinal microbiota and lead to increased short-chain fatty acid production. Our objectives herein were to evaluate the palatability, safety, and gastrointestinal tolerance of GNU100 in healthy adult cats. Exploratory end-points were measured to assess utility. In study 1, 20 adult cats were used to test the palatability of diets containing 0% or 1% GNU100. In study 2, 32 (mean age = 1.9 yr; mean body weight = 4.6 kg) male (n = 12) and female (n = 20) adult cats were used in a completely randomized design. After a 2-wk baseline, cats were assigned to one of the following treatment groups and fed for 26 wk: control (CT, no GNU100), low dose (LD, 0.5% GNU100), medium dose (MD, 1.0% GNU100), and high dose (HD, 1.5% GNU100). On weeks 2, 4, and 26, fresh fecal samples were collected for the measurement of stool quality and immune and inflammatory markers and on weeks 2 and 4 for microbiota and metabolites. On week 4, total feces were collected to measure apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility. On weeks 2, 4, and 26, blood samples were collected for serum chemistry, hematology, and inflammatory marker measurement. The palatability test showed that 1% GNU100 was strongly preferred (P < 0.05), with GNU100 having a 17.6:1 consumption ratio compared with control. In the long-term study, all cats remained healthy, without any signs of gastrointestinal intolerance or illness. All diets were well accepted, resulting in similar (P > 0.05) food intake, fecal characteristics, immunoglobulin A, and calprotectin, and dry matter, organic matter, fat, and crude protein digestibilities. Fecal butyrate was greater (P = 0.02) in cats fed HD than cats fed LD or MD. Fecal indole was lower (P = 0.02) in cats fed HD than cats fed LD. Cats fed CT had a higher (P = 0.003) relative abundance of Actinobacteria than cats fed LD. The relative abundance of Peptococcus was impacted by diet and time. At 4 wk, Campylobacter was lower in fecal samples of cats fed HD. Overall, the data suggest that dietary GNU100 supplementation was highly palatable, well tolerated, did not cause detrimental effects on fecal quality or nutrient digestibility, increased fecal butyrate concentrations, and reduced fecal indole concentrations, supporting the safety of GNU100 for inclusion in feline diets and suggesting potential benefits on gastrointestinal health of cats.     

肉鸡饲粮钙磷比对豆粕中磷真消化率的影响

本试验旨在使用线性回归法和差量法研究肉鸡饲粮钙磷比对豆粕中磷真消化率的影响。选用576只15日龄罗氏肉鸡,根据3×3因子完全随机区组设计分为9个处理,每个处理8个重复,每个重复8只鸡。通过添加3个水平的豆粕(30.00%、43.00%和56.00%),研究饲粮钙磷比(1.0、1.5和2.0)对豆粕中磷真消化率测定值的影响。试验期7 d。结果表明:肉鸡体增重、饲料转化效率、回肠食糜磷排泄量和可消化磷均随豆粕水平提高呈线性增加(P0.01),而干物质消化率和磷的表观消化率呈线性降低(P0.01)。提高饲粮钙磷比可显著增加回肠食糜磷排泄量,从而降低可消化磷和磷的表观消化率(P0.01)。使用线性回归法和差量法在钙磷比为2.0时测得豆粕中磷的真消化率分别为40.79%和39.84%,显著低于钙磷比在1.0(53.36%和55.59%)和1.5(56.81%和56.36%)时测得磷的真消化率(P0.05)。由此可见,肉鸡饲粮钙磷比显著影响豆粕中磷真消化率的测定,但真消化率计算方法(线性回归法和差量法)对测定结果无显著影响。