The effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on faecal parameters in healthy dogs and cats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on faecal parameters in healthy dogs and cats. To this end, 20 dogs and 20 Domestic shorthair cats were fed a commercially available adult dog food, or cat food, respectively, with either syrup containing GOS (at 1% w galacto-oligosaccharides/w formulated feed) on top (test group) or no topping (control group) for 56 days in a cross-over design. The study consisted of 2 periods of 24 days adaptation, followed by 4 days of collection of faeces. Faecal samples were tested for moisture, nitrogen, pH, macronutrients, enzymes, and fermentation products. The faecal microbiota were analysed by 16S rDNA profiling. It appeared that GOS have different effects in dogs compared to cats. In dogs, the addition of GOS resulted in increased carbohydrate fermentation (increase of acetic and butyric acid), whereas in cats GOS resulted in increased amino acid fermentation (increase of isovaleric acid). The α-diversity of the canine faecal microbiota was reduced by dietary GOS (Inverse Simpson Index, p = 0.063; Shannon index, p = 0.035) whereas the α-diversity of cat faecal microbiota was unaffected (Inverse Simpson Index, p = 0.539; Shannon index, p = 0.872). Lachnospiraceae spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. positively responded to GOS in both cats and dogs. Lactobacillus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae spp. positively responded to GOS in dogs. In both dogs and cats, GOS may therefore improve stool microbiota and result in the production of specific metabolites that are beneficial to gut health

Clinical management of feline chronic kidney disease in Portugal: a questionnaire-based study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to characterise the clinical management of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) by veterinary practitioners in Portugal. METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was designed to be completed by all veterinarians who had diagnosed and treated at least one case of feline CKD in the previous year. RESULTS: A total of 409 veterinary practitioners responded to the questionnaire, with approximately half of them diagnosing 2-5 cases of feline CKD per month (n = 219, 53.5%). Although a high proportion of these reported using the guidelines published by the International Renal Interest Society (n = 379, 92.7%), only 19.1% (n = 78) systematically performed systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements in all of their patients. A renal diet was advised by almost all respondents (n = 406, 99.3%), but 36.9% (n = 150) of them considered that it represented less than 75% of the daily food intake for most of their patients. This dietary intervention was often prescribed regardless of stage (n = 298, 73.4%) and without a proper gradual diet transition. Appetite stimulants were frequently prescribed (n = 366, 89.5%), as well as a calcium channel blocker (n = 171, 41.8%) and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (n = 245, 59.9%) to control systemic hypertension and proteinuria, respectively. Prescription of a phosphate binder was also common (n = 311, 76.0%). Regarding monitoring, 70.9% (n = 290) recommended that stable patients be reassessed every 2-3 months or more frequently, but only 35.7% (n = 146) were able to comply with this periodicity due to owners' constraints. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings showed that although most survey respondents are aware of international guidelines for the clinical management of cats with CKD, the SBP measurement still needs to be more systematic to allow proper substaging and detection of systemic hypertension. The monitoring frequency was lower than recommended. Furthermore, the introduction of a renal therapeutic diet should be refined to improve its acceptance rate

Effects of two commercial diets and two supplements on urinary pH in dogs

BACKGROUND: Urinary pH manipulation by therapeutic foods or supplements is part of the treatment for urolithiasis. The effectiveness of these diets and supplements should be studied to determine which of these strategies is most effective. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of the oral supplementation of potassium citrate, an ammonium chloride solution (Urical) and two dry therapeutic foods-Hill's® Prescription Diet® u/d® Canine (u/d diet) and Royal Canin® Urinary S/O dog (S/O diet)-on a dog's urinary pH at different time points over 8 h. ANIMALS: Seven healthy adult male research beagle dogs. METHODS: A prospective interventional study lasting 31 days. The dogs either received a supplement (potassium citrate or rical) with a dry adult maintenance diet (control diet) or the therapeutic diet (u/d diet or S/O diet). Each treatment had a duration of 2-5 days, with 2- to 4-day washout periods in between. Urinary pH measurements were performed every 2 h between 07h00 and 15h00, with the food being given at 07h00 and 15h00, right after urine collection. The pH measurements obtained in each of the four treatments were compared to control (same dogs fed the control diet exclusively). RESULTS: When compared to the control diet at the same time points, biologically relevant changes in urinary pH (defined as ≥0.5) were: increase with potassium citrate at 7h00 and 13h00; increase with u/d diet at 9h00, 13h00, and 15h00; decrease with S/O diet at 9h00 and 11h00; Urical did not have a detectable effect on urinary pH. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The present study confirms that therapeutic foods S/O and u/d, and potassium citrate supplement affected acid-base balance in healthy adult male beagle dogs, with the tested diets being more effective than the administered doses of the tested supplements at influencing urinary pH

The efficacy of a nutritional supplement containing green-lipped mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf extract in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a common disease in dogs and cats, and the search for novel treatment options is needed. The combination of green-lipped mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf extract has to date not been studied in dogs and cats. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the effect of a supplement containing green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), curcumin (Curcuma longa) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) leaf extract on locomotion and behaviour in client-owned dogs and cats suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis. METHODS: To this end, 32 dogs and 16 cats were enrolled in a double-blinded, randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled trial for 10 weeks in cats and 16 weeks in dogs. Outcome parameters were the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) by pet owners in dogs and cats, Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool (COAST) by a veterinarian in dogs and Force Plate Analysis (FPA) in 18 dogs. RESULTS: In dogs, the COAST improved significantly in the supplement group compared to baseline but was not different than the placebo group. In cats, the ability to groom, activity level, playfulness and walking up the stairs improved in the supplement group. No differences were found on HCPI scores and FPA in dogs. Several non-responders were noted in both species, which were irrespective of the stage of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the supplement had only partial positive effects in client-owned dogs and cats with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Further research with a larger sample size and longer duration is needed to expand these findings

COMMD1 Exemplifies the Power of Inbred Dogs to Dissect Genetic Causes of Rare Copper-Related Disorders

Wilson’s Disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in humans, often presenting with hepatic copper overload. Finding the genetic cause of a rare disease, especially if it is related to food constituents like the trace element copper, is a Herculean task. This review describes examples of how the unique population structure of in-bred dog strains led to the discovery of a novel gene and two modifier genes involved in inherited copper toxicosis. COMMD1, after the discovery in 2002, was shown to be a highly promiscuous protein involved in copper transport, protein trafficking/degradation, regulation of virus replication, and inflammation. Mutations in the ATP7A and ATP7B proteins in Labrador retrievers and Dobermann dogs resulted in a wide variation in hepatic copper levels in these breeds. To our knowledge, numerous dog breeds with inherited copper toxicosis of unknown genetic origin exist. Therefore, the possibility that men’s best friend will provide new leads in rare copper storage diseases seems realistic

Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D in Dogs and Cats: Beyond the Bones

Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are nutrients that play a key role in maintaining normal organ, cell, and tissue function. Much is known about their role in bone metabolism, but these nutrients are also important in renal health, urinary tract disease, and multiple other organ systems. It is nutritionally important to meet the physiologic requirements for each of these nutrients, but the interplay between them should also be considered

COMMD1 Exemplifies the Power of Inbred Dogs to Dissect Genetic Causes of Rare Copper-Related Disorders

Wilson's Disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in humans, often presenting with hepatic copper overload. Finding the genetic cause of a rare disease, especially if it is related to food constituents like the trace element copper, is a Herculean task. This review describes examples of how the unique population structure of in-bred dog strains led to the discovery of a novel gene and two modifier genes involved in inherited copper toxicosis. COMMD1, after the discovery in 2002, was shown to be a highly promiscuous protein involved in copper transport, protein trafficking/degradation, regulation of virus replication, and inflammation. Mutations in the ATP7A and ATP7B proteins in Labrador retrievers and Dobermann dogs resulted in a wide variation in hepatic copper levels in these breeds. To our knowledge, numerous dog breeds with inherited copper toxicosis of unknown genetic origin exist. Therefore, the possibility that men's best friend will provide new leads in rare copper storage diseases seems realistic

Nonpharmacological Treatment Strategies for the Management of Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy-A Narrative Review

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) refers to a heterogeneous group of idiopathic diseases of the dog characterised by persistent gastrointestinal (GI) clinical signs. If conventional dietary treatment alone would be unsuccessful, management of CIE is traditionally attained by the use of pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs. While being rather effective, however, these drugs are endowed with side effects, which may impact negatively on the animal's quality of life. Therefore, novel, safe and effective therapies for CIE are highly sought after. As gut microbiota imbalances are often associated with GI disorders, a compelling rationale exists for the use of nonpharmacological methods of microbial manipulation in CIE, such as faecal microbiota transplantation and administration of pre-, pro-, syn- and postbiotics. In addition to providing direct health benefits to the host via a gentle modulation of the intestinal microbiota composition and function, these treatments may also possess immunomodulatory and epithelial barrier-enhancing actions. Likewise, intestinal barrier integrity, along with mucosal inflammation, are deemed to be two chief therapeutic targets of mesenchymal stem cells and selected vegetable-derived bioactive compounds. Although pioneering studies have revealed encouraging findings regarding the use of novel treatment agents in CIE, a larger body of research is needed to address fully their mode of action, efficacy and safety