Evaluation of sodium bisulphate and phosphoric acid as urine acidifiers for cats.

Eighteen cats were used to compare the urine acidifying properties of sodium bisulphate to phosphoric acid. Acidifying agents were added at one of three concentrations (0.4, 0.6, or 0.8%, as-is basis). Cats were offered a commercial diet to determine basal urinary pH, and then again for a 1 week period between blocks 1 and 2. Cats were acclimated to the diets for 6 days, and urine samples were collected on day 7 at 0, 4, and 8 h postfeeding to obtain pre- and postprandial urinary pH. Intakes of diets containing sodium bisulphate tended (P < 0.07) to be lower than intakes of diets containing phosphoric acid. Cats consuming the 0.8% phosphoric acid diet had higher (P < 0.05) food intakes than cats consuming either the 0.4 or 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diets. There was significant (P = 0.01) linear and quadratic response for food intake in cats consuming the sodium bisulphate-containing diet. Cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid-containing diets tended (P = 0.07) to have higher water intakes than cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in urine pH and specific gravity between cats fed the different acidifier types. Cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diet tended (P = 0.07) to have a higher urine pH 8 h post-feeding than cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid-containing diets. Urine pH was highest at 4 h post-feeding except for cats fed the 0.4% sodium bisulphate- and the 0.6% phosphoric acid-containing diets. No differences (P > 0.05) between acidifiers were found in faecal score or in faecal dry matter and organic matter concentrations. A quadratic response was detected in faecal score for cats consuming the phosphoric acid-containing diets. Cats consuming the 0.6% phosphoric acid diet tended (P = 0.06) to have a lower faecal score than cats consuming the 0.4 and 0.8% phosphoric acid diets. For faecal dry matter, a linear trend was detected in cats consuming the sodium bisulphate (P = 0.08) and phosphoric acid-containing (P = 0.04) diets. Sodium bisulphate and phosphoric acid generally behaved in a similar fashion when incorporated in dry cat diets.     

Effects of dietary protein content on renal parameters in normal cats

This study evaluates the effect of dietary protein content on renal parameters in 23 healthy spayed female cats. The objective was to determine if cats eating diets high in protein will have higher serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine values without a detectable change in kidney function, as assessed by urinalysis. A single random cross-over design was used. Cats were fed a standard maintenance diet for at least 1 month prior to the dietary trial. They were fed in two phases. For the first phase, cats were randomly assigned to receive either a high protein [HP=46% metabolizable energy (ME)] or low protein (LP=26% ME) diet. For the second phase, cats were fed whichever diet they were not fed during the phase I period. Blood and urine samples were collected at 2-week intervals for the duration of the study (10 weeks). UN, albumin, alanine aminotransferase and urine specific gravity were significantly higher, and creatinine and phosphorus were significantly lower (P<0.05) when cats were fed the HP diet as compared to when they were fed the LP diet, although none of the mean values were found to be outside of the corresponding reference interval. Dietary intake can result in clinically significant changes in UN and statistically significantly changes in several other biochemical analytes, although all analytes are likely to remain within normal reference intervals. Therefore, an accurate dietary history is necessary to help determine if renal parameters are being influenced by diet in a particular patient.     

Effect of dietary fat on pig performance and dust levels in modified-open-front and environmentally regulated confinement buildings

Four trials were conducted with 1,480 pigs (initial wt: 23 kg in trial 1,29 kg in trial 2 and 49 kg in trial 3 and 4) to determine the effect of dietary fat on pig performance, nutrient separation in an automated feed distribution system, dust levels in swine buildings and integrity of the respiratory system of swine. Two modified-open-front (B-1 and B-2) and two environmentally regulated (E-1 and E-2) growing-finishing buildings, of identical design, were used in each trial. In trial 1, 250 pigs (25 pens of 10 pigs/pen) in B-1 were fed a ground, mixed, corn-soybean meal diet (15% crude protein) with added tallow (5%), and 250 pigs in B-2 were fed the same diet but without added tallow. The assignment of diets to buildings were reversed in trial 2 in which 2.5% tallow was used instead of 5%. Each diet was fed ad libitum to pigs, and was distributed by an automated "Flexauger" system in trials 1 and 2. In each of trials 3 and 4, 120 pigs (12 pens of 10 10 pigs/pen) in E-1 were fed a corn-soybean meal diet (14% crude protein) with added tallow (5%) and 120 pigs in E-2 were fed the same diet but without added tallow. Overall, pigs fed the diet with tallow gained faster (P less than .002), consumed less feed (P less than .02) and converted feed more efficiently (P less than .002) than those fed the diet without tallow in trials 1 and 2. Pig performance was also improved by the addition of tallow to the diet in trials 3 and 4 (P less than .002). Crude protein, Ca, P and Cu contents of both diets were similar at each location sampled throughout the automated distribution system in trials 1 and 2. Addition of tallow to the diets reduced aerial dust levels, both with the feed distribution auger running (P less than .002) and without the auger running (P = .06) in trials 1 and 2. In trials 3 and 4, adding 5% tallow to the diet reduced aerial dust concentrations of of particle sizes of 14, 4, and 1.5 micron (P less than .002) and .4 micron (P = .07). The amount of settled dust was lower (P less than .001, trials 1, 3 and 4) when tallow was included in the diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

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.     

Prevalence of cryptosporidian infection in cats in Turin and analysis of risk factors

An epidemiological study was carried out to identify factors associated with the risk of cryptosporidian infection in cats. Faecal samples from 200 domestic cats were collected in the small animal clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Turin (north-west Italy). The faecal samples were analysed for the presence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts using a centrifugation concentration floatation method. For each cat, age, sex, breed, indoor/outdoor status, diet, diarrhoea and presence of other enteric parasites were analysed for association with Cryptosporidium species infection. Cryptosporidia oocysts were identified in 49 cats (24.5%) aged from 2 months to 18 years. Statistical analysis revealed that four variables are significantly associated with an increased risk of infection: less than 1 year of age (chi(2)=6.5, P=0.01), feeding home-cooked diet (chi(2)=6.92, P<0.01), presence of diarrhoea (chi(2)=4.34, P<0.037), and presence of other enteric parasites (chi(2)=10.31, P<0.01). No statistical differences were found for sex (chi(2)=1.56, P=0.21), breed (chi(2)=0.78, P=0.38) and outdoor/indoor status (chi(2)=1.49, P=0.22). Cryptosporidium species was the parasite most frequently detected in the cats surveyed.     

Effects of weight loss in obese cats on biochemical analytes related to inflammation and glucose homeostasis

The aim of the current study was to measure circulating metabolic and inflammation-related biochemical analytes in obese cats before and after weight loss. Thirty-seven overweight neutered cats were studied, median body weight 6.85 kg (range, 4.70 to 10.30 kg), representing a range of ages and both sexes. An individualized weight-loss program was devised for each cat and monitored until completion. Body fat mass was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, whereas plasma concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs; eg, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A), hormones (eg, insulin, IGF-1, and adiponectin), and enzymes (eg, butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase type 1 [PON-1]) associated with inflammation and metabolic compounds (eg, glucose) were also measured. No significant changes were found in APPs after weight loss (P > 0.3), but significant increases in plasma adiponectin (P = 0.021) and IGF-1 (P = 0.036) were seen, whereas insulin (P < 0.001) and homeostasis model assessment (P = 0.005) decreased significantly. Plasma concentrations before weight loss of PON-1 (P = 0.004), adiponectin (P = 0.02), and IGF-1 (P = 0.048) were less in cats that failed to complete weight loss than cats that were successful, whereas glucose concentration was greater. Finally, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that lean tissue loss during weight management was associated with percentage weight loss (greater weight loss, greater lean tissue loss; R = 0.71, P < 0.001) and plasma adiponectin concentration before weight loss (lesser adiponectin, more lean tissue loss; R = -0.52, P = 0.023). In conclusion, various metabolic abnormalities occur in feline obesity, and these can be linked to outcomes of weight-loss programs. The changes that occur with weight loss suggest an improved metabolic status.     

Influence of dietary source of phosphorus on fecal and urinary excretion of phosphorus and other minerals by male cats

Twelve male cats were fed 2 diets that differed in the source of P. In diet 1 (1.4% P), 62.7% of P originated from poultry, meat, and fish meal, and the remainder from other organic ingredients of food. In diet 2 (1.6% P), 63.5% of P was derived from neutral monobasic/dibasic salts, and the remainder from other organic ingredients of the food. The P intake was nearly the same with both diets, but there was a significant (P less than 0.05) difference between diets in the percentage of ingested P that was excreted in the urine (14.7 +/- 5.3% for diet 1; 34.9 +/- 8.4% for diet 2), and in 6-day urinary P excretion (774 +/- 290 mg for diet 1; 2,004 +/- 556 mg for diet 2). The P concentrations in urine samples obtained by cystocentesis after cats ate were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher when cats were fed diet 2 than when those same cats were fed diet 1. Plasma P concentrations increased after ingestion of diet 2, but were unchanged after ingestion of diet 1. Seemingly, urinary excretion of P was markedly influenced by dietary composition. Diets with the same P content have potential for different biologic effects because of differences in availability of P.     

Effect of acidified feed on the prevalence of Salmonella in market-age pigs

Two trials were carried out to determine the effect of feed acidification upon Salmonella carriage in market-age pigs. In the first trial, the administration for the last 14 weeks of the fattening period of a commercial pelleted feed added with 0.6% lactic acid plus 0.6% formic acid (Lac-Formic-1.2) was compared to an unacidified standard diet (STD). A second experiment was carried out in two herds of growing pigs (Herd I, 3000 pigs; Herd II, 900 pigs) in which three different diets were assayed during the last 8-9 weeks of the fattening period: a diet containing 0.8% formic acid (Formic-0.8), a diet containing 0.4% lactic acid plus 0.4% formic acid (Lac-Formic-0.8) and a STD. In the first experiment, serological evolution of the infection was examined by ELISA and microbiological cultures (rectal samples and mesenteric lymph nodes) were also done. Feed intake by pen and the individual weight of the animals were also measured. In the second trial, blood, rectal samples and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected at slaughter in both herds (30 pigs per experimental group). In the first experiment, the acidified diet (Lac-Formic-1.2) reduced Salmonella carriers in mesenteric lymph nodes (Fisher's exact P < 0.01). In the second trial, Lac-Formic-0.8 diet significantly reduced Salmonella seroprevalence compared to the STD (P = 0.001) in both herds. Also Lac-Formic-0.8 and Formic-0.8 diets in Herd II showed a lower faecal excretion and Salmonella carriage in mesenteric lymph nodes than the STD (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the administration of a combination of lactic and formic acids at the levels used in this study could be used to reduce Salmonella prevalence in finishing pigs.     

Preservation versus excision of the ileocolic junction during colectomy for megacolon: A study of 22 cats

From 1984 to 1991, 22 cats with megacolon underwent colectomy by end-to-end anastomosis of the distal colon to either the proximal colon (preserving the ileocolic junction in 14 cats) or to the distal small intestine (excising the ileocolic junction in eight cats). During the postoperative adaptive period, the two groups showed similar stool consistency, and the presence of either anorexia, lethargy, weight loss or diarrhoea with faecal incontinence. During the long term post-operative adaptive period, no significant difference in recurrent constipation was found between the two groups. The overall constipation rate after colectomy was 45 per cent (10 cats), and because of constipation recurrence 18 per cent (four cats) were euthanased, and 18 per cent (four cats) required further surgery. Long term following colectomy, those cats which under-went excision of the ileocolic junction had significantly looser stools than those cats in which the ileocolic junction was preserved. The preservation of the ileocolic junction during colectomy is therefore recommended.     

Efficacy of an essential fatty acid-enriched diet in managing canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, single-blinded, cross-over study

Evidence suggests that high-quality diets enriched with essential fatty acids (EFA) and other nutrients can ameliorate canine atopic dermatitis (AD). This study compared such a diet (Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP) with a home-cooked equivalent (fish and potato) in a randomised, single-blinded, cross-over trial. Twenty dogs with perennial AD were randomly assigned to receive either the test (group A) or the control diet (group B) for 1 month, followed by the contrasting diet for a further month. Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI version 2) and pruritus (visual analogue scale) scores were recorded at days 0, 30 and 60. Eight dogs in each group completed the study. CADESI scores significantly declined when dogs were fed the test diet (group A P < 0.01; group B P < 0.001), and increased (group A P < 0.05) or remained steady (group B) on the control diet. CADESI scores decreased in 15 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was less than 50% in all cases. Pruritus scores also declined when dogs were fed the test diet compared to the control diet, but this was only significant for group A (P = 0.027). Pruritus was reduced in 11 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was 50% or more in only two dogs. This trial provides evidence for the efficacy of Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP in canine AD, although it is likely that most cases will require adjunct therapy. The mechanism is unclear, but may involve increased and balanced EFA levels.     

Effects of body position and ventilation/compression ratios during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in cats

Eighteen cats were anesthetized and were randomly assigned to 2 groups (9 cats/group). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on each cat, with the cat in dorsal (group 1) or lateral (group 2) recumbency, by administering 5 external cardiac compressions/1 interposed (diastolic) ventilation (American Heart Association [AHA] technique; n = 3 cats/technique), simultaneous compression and ventilation (SCV; n = 3 cats/technique), or SCV with 1 interposed (diastolic) ventilation every tenth compression (SCV/DV; n = 3 cats/technique). Fourteen of the 18 cats were resuscitated. Central aortic and venous pressures were determined concurrently with lead II electrocardiography. Arterial blood samples were collected during the base-line period (after pressure fluctuations had stabilized, with the cats spontaneously breathing room air), 2.5 minutes after the onset of arrest (defined as the cessation of aortic pressure fluctuations), and after 10 minutes of CPR. Arterial blood gas values during the base-line period or during the period of arrest were not significantly different between group-1 and group-2 cats. After CPR, arterial pH and bicarbonate values were not significantly different between groups or between technique categories. The PaCO2 values were significantly lower in cats resuscitated by SCV or by SCV/DV than in cats resuscitated by AHA (P less than 0.05). The PaO2 values were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in group-2 cats than in group-1 cats and were significantly (P less than 0.001) different between each technique category, with cats resuscitated by AHA having the lowest PaO2 and cats resuscitated by SCV/DV having the highest PaO2. Body position, CPR technique, sex, weight, or arterial blood gas values after CPR were not predictors of successful resuscitation.     

Dilated cardiomyopathy in cats: survey of veterinary cardiologists and retrospective evaluation of a possible association with diet

Introduction/objectivesThe objectives were to conduct a survey of cardiologists on their recent experiences with cats that have dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and to retrospectively review individual cases of feline DCM.Animals, materials and methodsPart one: A survey was distributed to cardiologists with questions regarding caseload and clinical management of cats with DCM diagnosed over the past two years. Part two: Cardiologists completing the survey were invited to submit data from cats recently diagnosed with DCM. Data on signalment, clinical signs, diet, echocardiographic measurements and outcome were recorded.ResultsPart one: From 52 completed surveys, many cardiologists responded that measuring and supplementing taurine and recommending a diet change in cats with DCM are common practices. Few (15%) cardiologists reported an increase in the number of feline DCM cases over the past two years, although some had cases that improved even if taurine deficiency was not present. Part two: Twenty of 37 (54%) cats ate low pea/lentil (low PL) diets, and 14/37 (38%) ate high PL diets at the time of diagnosis; three had incomplete diet information. Two of 13 cats (15%) in which taurine was measured had levels below the reference range. After adjusting for other variables, cats eating high PL diets that changed diets after diagnosis had a significantly longer survival time than that of cats eating high PL diets that did not change diets after diagnosis (P = 0.025).ConclusionsAdditional research is warranted to determine whether there could be a possible association between diet and DCM in cats.     

The effects of adding xylanase, vitamin C and copper sulphate to wheat-based diets on broiler performance

1. The study used a 3 x 3 factorial design to evaluate the effects of 3 additives (none; vitamin C [250 mg/kg]; copper sulphate [250 mg/kg]) and 3 enzyme additions (none; Avizyme 1300 [Finnfeeds Ltd, 1 g/kg in food]; Avizyme 1310 [liquid spray, post-pelleting, 0.5 g/kg]). All experimental diets were mixed, heat-conditioned (80 degrees C for 2 min) and pelleted. Copper sulphate (diets NCu; DCu; LCu) and Avizyme 1300 (diets DN; DC; DCu) were added during mixing. Vitamin C was sprayed at 10 ml per kg (diets NC; DC; LC) and the liquid enzyme was diluted 20-fold and sprayed at the same rate (diets LN; LC; LCu), post-pelleting. 2. Additive or enzyme addition did not significantly affect DM intake or liveweight gain (LWG). Enzyme addition improved gain:food (P=0.014), AME:GE (P<0.001), ileal apparent digestibility of DM (P=0.008) and starch (P<0.001), faecal apparent digestibility of starch, crude fat and NDF (P=0.008; <0.001; <0.001 respectively) and reduced in vivo viscosity (P<0.001). 3. Copper sulphate addition depressed gain:food (P=0.047), AME:GE (P=0.002), ileal apparent digestibility of starch (P<0.001) and faecal apparent digestibility of starch (P=0.003) and crude fat (P<0.001) due to a negative additive x enzyme interaction when copper sulphate and dry enzyme were included together. 4. Vitamin C decreased in vivo viscosity by 20% but failed to have any effect on performance. Both enzyme forms gave similar improvements in performance in the absence of copper sulphate.     

Dietary manipulation to reduce aerial ammonia concentrations in nursery pig facilities.

Two 4-wk trials (preliminary study) and three 5-wk trials (major study) were conducted to determine the effects of adding Yucca schidigera extract or anhydrous calcium chloride to nursery diets on the growth performance of nursery pigs and aerial ammonia concentration. The pigs were weaned between 13 and 15 d of age and had an initial BW of 3 to 6 kg. In each trial, pigs were allotted to three identical pig nursery rooms that were environmentally regulated. There were three diets (one diet per room): 1) control, containing 23% CP; 2) control plus 125 ppm of Yucca schidigera extract; and 3) control plus 1.95% anhydrous calcium chloride. Growth performance was recorded weekly. Aerial ammonia concentration was measured daily using aspiration detector tubes and during the last week of each trial using diffusion tubes. Manure samples were collected twice a week during the experimental period to determine ammonia and N concentrations and pH. Plasma urea concentration was determined in blood samples collected from the pigs at the end of each trial. Data were analyzed using split-plot and Latin square designs for the preliminary and major studies, respectively. Feed intake was similar among pigs fed all three diets. There were no differences in ADG and ADG/ADFI (G/F) between pigs fed the control diet and pigs fed the yucca extract diet (P > or = 0.41). In all trials, pigs fed the calcium chloride diet had lower ADG and G/F than pigs fed the other two diets (P < 0.05). In the preliminary study, aerial ammonia tended to be greater in the rooms in which pigs were fed the control diet than in the rooms with pigs fed the yucca extract diet (P = 0.08) and the calcium chloride diet (P = 0.11). In the major study, aerial ammonia increased weekly (diet x week; P < 0.001) in all rooms. In the 4th wk, ammonia concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in the rooms in which pigs were fed the control diet than in the rooms in which the other two diets were fed. Dietary treatment had no effect on plasma urea concentration (P > or = 0.10), manure ammonia and N concentrations (P > or = 0.50), and manure pH (P > or = 0.78). Although aerial ammonia concentrations were relatively low, the addition of Yucca schidigera extract or calcium chloride to the diet of nursery pigs reduced ammonia concentrations in the nursery rooms.     

Treatment of feline diabetes mellitus using an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and a low-carbohydrate diet

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose), combined with a low-carbohydrate diet on the treatment of naturally occurring diabetes mellitus in cats. Eighteen client-owned cats with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus were entered into the study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed prior to and 4 months after feeding the diet to determine total body composition, including lean body mass (LBM) and percent body fat. Each cat was fed a commercially available low-carbohydrate canned feline diet and received 12.5mg/cat acarbose orally every 12h with meals. All cats received subcutaneous insulin therapy except one cat in the study group that received glipizide (5mg BID PO). Monthly serum glucose and fructosamine concentrations were obtained, and were used to adjust insulin doses based on individual cat's requirements. Patients were later classified as responders (insulin was discontinued, n=11) and non-responders (continued to require insulin or glipizide, n=7). Responders were initially obese (>28% body fat) and non-responders had significantly less body fat than responders (<28% body fat). Serum fructosamine and glucose concentrations decreased significantly in both responder and non-responder groups over the course of 4 months of therapy. Better results were observed in responder cats, for which exogenous insulin therapy was discontinued, glycemic parameters improved, and body fat decreased. In non-responders, median insulin requirements decreased and glycemic parameters improved significantly, despite continued insulin dependence. The use of a low-carbohydrate diet with acarbose was an effective means of decreasing exogenous insulin dependence and improving glycemic control in a series of client-owned cats with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus.     

Oral glucosamine and the management of feline idiopathic cystitis

Oral glucosamine was compared to a placebo for the management of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) in a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, study. Forty cats with a history of recurrent cystitis due to FIC were divided into two groups and treated daily per os with either 125 mg N-acetyl glucosamine or a placebo for six months. Owners graded their cats' clinical signs at the beginning and end of the study, and kept daily diaries documenting signs of cystitis using visual analogue scales. Further episodes of cystitis were seen in 26 (65%) of the cats during the study. Affected cats experienced a mean of five recurrences (range 1-19) with each recurrence lasting a mean of four days (range 1-64 days). There were no significant differences between the two groups when considering the owners assessments of the mean health score (P>0.5), the average monthly clinical score (P=0.22) or the average number of days with clinical signs (P=0.28). Two cats suffered from such severe recurrent urethral obstruction that they were euthanased; they were both in the placebo group. Compared to the start of the study the majority of cats in both groups improved significantly (P<0.001) (mean health score of each group at the start was 0.5+/-SD 0.5, compared to glucosamine 4.4+/-0.7 and placebo 3.9+/-1.6 at the end). This is believed to have occurred because the owners of 36 of the 40 cats (90%) started feeding more canned cat food. The urine specific gravity at the start of the trial was significantly higher (mean 1.050+/-SD 1.007) than when reassessed one month later (1.036+/-1.010, P<0.01).     

A retrospective analysis of case series using home-prepared and chicken hydrolysate diets in the diagnosis of adverse food reactions in 181 pruritic dogs

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare home-prepared and chicken hydrolysate diets in the diagnosis of canine adverse food reactions (AFR). Seventy-two dogs were fed home-prepared diets and 109 were fed hydrolysate. Owners chose the type of diet at presentation, and ingredients of home-prepared diets were selected depending on each dog's dietary history. Ectoparasitic infestations and microbial infections were treated during the trials. Cutaneous and gastrointestinal signs and pruritus scores were recorded before starting the diet, 6 weeks into the trials and after provocation with the original diets. AFR was diagnosed if pruritus resolved during the trial and recurred on dietary provocation. The dropout rate was lower for home-prepared diets although not statistically significant (18.1% home prepared; 24.7% hydrolysate, P=0.377). AFR alone was diagnosed in 10 dogs (17%) using home-prepared diets and in 15 (18.3%) fed the hydrolysate. Gastrointestinal problems were more frequent in dogs with AFR than in dogs without AFR (P=0.001). Another 11 dogs (18.6%) in the home-prepared diet group and 20 (24.4%) in the hydrolysate diet group had AFR concurrent with other pruritic diseases, mainly atopy. The similar frequencies of AFR diagnosis in the two groups (P=0.837 AFR; P=0.416 concurrent AFR) indicate that the chicken hydrolysate diet may be a valuable alternative to home-prepared diets in the diagnosis of canine AFR. Prospective cross-over studies are warranted to confirm these findings.     

Clinical evaluation of commercially available urinary acidification diets in the management of idiopathic cystitis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare recurrence of signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) in cats with idiopathic cystitis that were fed the dry or canned formulation of a commercial diet designed to result in production of an acidic urine. DESIGN: Prospective trial. ANIMALS: 54 client-owned cats with idiopathic cystitis that was diagnosed on the basis of a history of abnormal micturition, abnormal results on urinalysis, radiography, or cystoscopy, and lack of an alternative diagnosis. PROCEDURE: Cats were assigned to be fed the canned or dry formulation of the diet. Reevaluations conducted at 2 and 16 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months included a physical examination, CBC and serum biochemical analysis (except week 2), blood gas analysis, and urinalysis. Regular telephone contacts were also made. The study was discontinued after 12 months or if signs of LUTD recurred. RESULTS: Signs of LUTD did not recur in 16 of 18 cats fed the canned diet, and 17 of 28 cats fed the dry diet (chi 2, P < 0.05). Seven cats were reevaluated at recurrence. Owners of remaining cats in which signs of LUTD recurred declined to have their pets reexamined. A different problem (bacterial urinary tract infection) was identified in only 1 cat on reevaluation. Eight cats were lost to follow-up evaluation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Feeding this commercial canned urinary acidifying diet may reduce the proportion of cats with idiopathic cystitis that will have recurrence of signs of LUTD within a 12-month period.     

Epizootiologic evaluation and quantitative analysis of urinary calculi from 150 cats

One hundred fifty specimens of urinary calculi from 150 cats were analyzed by at least 1 of 4 quantitative methods. Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) was the predominant mineral substance encountered, with 104 (69%) of the calculi being composed entirely of struvite and 23 (15%) being composed partially of struvite. Most (93%) of the calculi were located in the urinary bladder. Growth of bacteria was observed in samples from calculi or urine from 30 (41%) of 74 cats. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from the urine or calculi from 17 cats (45% of bacteria isolated). Ten other bacterial species were isolated. Median and mean ages of the cats were 5.0 and 5.1 years, respectively. Domestic short-hair and domestic longhair breeds predominated. Fifty-seven percent of the calculi came from females, 43% from males. The distribution by gender did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.2) among the 3 groups (domestic shorthair, domestic longhair, and other). However, the distribution of struvite calculi differed significantly (chi 2 = 15.5, P less than 0.001) by age and gender; among cats less than or equal to 2 years of age, males predominated 2:1 over females, and among cats greater than 2 years of age, females predominated by nearly 3:1 over males. When compared with the general population, females greater than 2 years old were significantly (chi 2 = 15.4, P less than 0.001) overrepresented.