Urinary pathology of the cat: I. Chronic renal failure: dietary management

This paper aims to present the nutritional requirements of cats suffering from chronic renal failure, the most common condition in renal pathology. Indeed, the concept consisting in a reduced protein content diet is a little out of date. Renal anatomy and function are reviewed as well as the main renal pathologies. Incidence, symptoms, diagnosis and overall dietary management are developed. The different nutrients to be taken into consideration are discussed, according to the evolution's state of the disease. Finally, a comparison between different pet foods for chronic renal failure shows a largely variable composition and should help the practitioner to make the best choice for its patient. Home made food are also proposed

Urinary pathologies of the cat: II. Dietary management of feline lower urinary tract diseases

This synthesis aims to summarize the specific dietary requirements for prevention or nutritional treatment of feline lower urinary tract diseases and overall urolith's formation. Since aetiologies are diverse and the epidemiological knowledge are changing within the recent year, empirical treatment of the pathology isn't anymore advisable. Symptomatology and aetiology are briefly presented and the different dietary factors to be taken into consideration in urolith's formation are discussed. Chemical composition of petfoods to treat or prevent struvite or calcium oxalate uroliths are compare

Short chain fructo-oligosaccharides (SC FOS) in hyperlipidaemic dogs

peer reviewe

Evaluation of thyroid function in obese dogs and in dogs undergoing a weight loss protocol

Obesity and weight loss have been shown to alter thyroid hormone homeostasis in humans. In dogs, obesity is the most common nutritional problem encountered and weight loss is the cornerstone of its treatment. Therefore, it is important to clarify how obesity and weight loss can affect thyroid function test results in that species. The objectives of this study were to compare thyroid function in obese dogs and in lean dogs and to explore the effects of caloric restriction and weight loss on thyroid hormone serum concentrations in obese dogs. In the first experiment, 12 healthy lean beagles and 12 obese beagles were compared. Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring serum concentrations of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), thyrotropin (TSH), and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) as well as a TSH stimulation test using 75 mu g IV of recombinant human TSH. In the second experiment, eight obese beagles were fed an energy-restricted diet [average 63% maintenance energy requirement (MER)] until optimal weight was obtained. Blood samples for determination of TT4, FT4, TT3, TSH and rT3, were taken at the start and then weekly during weight loss. Only TT3 and TT4 serum concentrations were significantly higher in obese dogs as compared to lean dogs. In the second experiment, weight loss resulted in a significant decrease in TT3 and TSH serum concentrations. Thus obesity and energy restriction significantly alter thyroid homeostasis in dogs, but the observed changes are unlikely to affect interpretation of thyroid function test results in clinics

Effect of ovariectomy and ad libitum feeding on body composition, thyroid status, ghrelin and leptin plasma concentrations in female dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy (i) and ad libitum feeding (ii) on energy intake, body weight (BW), body composition, thyroid status, leptin and ghrelin plasma concentrations. Four young adult female Beagle dogs were fed a maintenance diet for 6 weeks prior to ovariectomy, then 6 months after. Food allowance was adjusted in order to maintain optimal BW. Then, a diet slightly higher in energy concentration was fed ad libitum for 4 months. The maintenance diet was then fed ad libitum for one additional month. The maintenance of optimal BW after ovariectomy required a significant decrease in energy allowance. No increase in fat mass was observed. Ghrelin concentration remained unchanged. During the first month of ad libitum feeding, plasma ghrelin concentration and energy intake increased, then they decreased. Mean BW, plasma leptin, thyrotropin (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations significantly increased over the study. The BW increase was exclusively due to an increase in body fat. In conclusion, energy allowance should be strictly controlled in spayed female dogs. The results suggest that in dogs, thyroid hormones, leptin and ghrelin concentrations change in response to a positive energy balance in an attempt to limit weight gain. However, the significant weight gain shows that this goal was not achieved