Randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of an enteric coated micro-pelleted formulation of a pancreatic enzyme supplement in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

BACKGROUND : Pancreatic enzyme supplements for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs can be uncoated or enteric coated. Enteric coated supplements might be advantageous. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES : Enteric coated enzyme supplements are superior to uncoated supplements in dogs with clinical EPI. ANIMALS : Eleven dogs with naturally occurring EPI that were apparently free from other diseases. METHODS : Randomized, blinded, controlled cross-over clinical trial comparing a novel microencapsulated enteric coated enzyme supplement to a commercially available uncoated product in dogs with clinical EPI. Search of serum canine serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity concentration ≤ 2.5 μg/L in the Gastrointestinal Laboratory database was used to identify dogs with EPI. RESULTS : There was no difference −4.46% (95% CI: −7.97%-–0.96%; P = .15) in the % acid hydrolysis fecal fat (primary outcome) between the enteric coated formulation (median: 11.8%; range 6.4%-17.0%) and the uncoated pancreatic enzyme replacement product (median: 17.5%; range: 5.2%-24.9%) in the 11 dogs that completed the study. Other variables did not differ between treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE : This study, which had low statistical power, did not detect a difference between formulations.Eurovet Animal Health BV, Grant/Award Number: 11.001http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jvimam2019Production Animal Studie

Homocysteine in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

OBJECTIVES - To compare serum concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) in dogs fitting the criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and healthy dogs, and compare these values to commonly measured B-vitamins. METHODS – Study dogs were classified into noninfectious SIRS or sepsis groups and blood was drawn on Day 1 of the patient’s hospitalization for the measurement of Hcy, folate and cobalamin concentrations. Hcy was measured in 51 clinically normal dogs to serve as the control group. RESULTS - A statistically significant difference was found between the Hcy concentrations of the healthy group when compared to noninfectious SIRS and sepsis groups. Hcy values were not correlated with folate, cobalamin or APPLEfast severity scores. Hcy concentrations were significantly lower in sick dogs when compared to the control group, which is dissimilar to the human population. CLINICAL SIGNIFCANCE - The clinical significance of Hcy changes in critically ill dogs is currently unknown.http://aac.asm.orghb2014ab201

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs : a retrospective study of clinical, clinicopathological, and histopathological findings in 61 cases

The objective of the present study was to characterize the clinical, clinicopathologic, and histopathologic findings of dogs with chronic pancreatitis. The necropsy database at Texas A&M University was searched for reports of dogs with histologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis defined as irreversible histologic changes of the pancreas, i.e. fibrosis and atrophy. Medical records and necropsy reports were retrieved and reviewed. A reference necropsy population of 100 randomly selected dogs was used for signalment and concurrent disease comparisons. Cases were categorized as clinical or incidental chronic pancreatitis based on the presence of vomiting, decreased appetite, or both versus neither of these signs. All archived pancreata samples were evaluated histologically and scored using a published pancreatic scoring system. A total of 61 dogs with chronic pancreatitis were included in the study. The most frequent clinical signs were lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Compared to the reference necropsy population, chronic pancreatitis cases were more likely to be older, neutered, and of the non-sporting/toy breed group and to have concurrent endocrine, hepatobiliary, or neurologic diseases. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases had significantly higher histological scores for pancreatic necrosis and peripancreatic fat necrosis. Clinical chronic pancreatitis cases were significantly more likely to have hepatobiliary or endocrine disease as well as increased liver enzyme activities, and cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations. In conclusion, clinical disease resulting from chronic pancreatitis might be related to the presence of pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic fat necrosis. The signalment, presentation, and concurrent diseases of dogs with chronic pancreatitis are similar to those previously reported for dogs with acute pancreatitis.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/tvjlam2013ab201

Bacterial Biogeography of the Colon in Dogs With Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy

The intestinal microbiota is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease in humans and chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs. While most previous studies have described the gut microbiota using sequencing methods, it is fundamental to assess the spatial distribution of the bacteria for a better understanding of their relationship with the host. The microbiota in the colonic mucosa of 22 dogs with CIE and 11 control dogs was investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a universal eubacterial probe (EUB338) and specific probes for select bacterial groups. The number of total bacteria labeled with EUB338 probe was lower within the colonic crypts of dogs with CIE compared to controls. Helicobacter spp. and Akkermansia spp. were decreased on the colonic surface and in the crypts of dogs with CIE. Dogs with CIE had increased number of Escherichia coli/Shigella spp. on the colonic surface and within the crypts compared to control dogs. In conclusion, the bacterial microbiota in the colonic mucosa differed between dogs with and without CIE, with depletion of the crypt bacteria in dogs with CIE. The crypt bacterial species that was intimately associated with the host mucosa in control dogs was composed mainly of Helicobacter spp.Peer reviewe

Short- and long-term effects of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline on the gastrointestinal microbiome of growing cats

Antibiotic treatment in early life influences gastrointestinal (GI) microbial composition and function. In humans, the resultant intestinal dysbiosis is associated with an increased risk for certain diseases later in life. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal effects of antibiotic treatment on the GI microbiome of young cats. Fecal samples were collected from cats randomly allocated to receive either amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (20 mg/kg q12h) for 20 days (AMC group; 15 cats) or doxycycline (10 mg/kg q24h) for 28 days (DOX group;15 cats) as part of the standard treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. In addition, feces were collected from healthy control cats (CON group;15 cats). All cats were approximately two months of age at enrolment. Samples were collected on days 0 (baseline), 20 or 28 (AMC and DOX, respectively; last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300. DNA was extracted and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and qPCR assays were performed. Fecal microbial composition was different on the last day of treatment for AMC cats, and 1 month after the end of antibiotic treatment for DOX cats, compared to CON cats. Species richness was significantly greater in DOX cats compared to CON cats on the last day of treatment. Abundance of Enterobacteriales was increased, and that of Erysipelotrichi was decreased in cats of the AMC group on the last day of treatment compared to CON cats. The abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria was increased in cats of the DOX group on days 60 and 120 compared to cats of the CON group. Only minor differences in abundances between the treatment groups and the control group were present on day 300. Both antibiotics appear to delay the developmental progression of the microbiome, and this effect is more profound during treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and one month after treatment with doxycycline. Future studies are required to determine if these changes influence microbiome function and whether they have possible effects on disease susceptibility in cats.S1 Fig. Beta diversity indices among groups. A) Principal Coordinate Analysis of unweighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes representing the difference in microbial communities among cats treated with amoxicillin clavulanic acid (blue circles), cats treated with doxycycline (yellow circles), and healthy control cats (red circles) on days 20/28 (last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300. B) Principal Coordinate Analysis of weighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes representing the difference in microbial communities among cats treated with amoxicillin clavulanic acid (blue circles), cats treated with doxycycline (yellow circles), and healthy control cats (red circles) on days 20/28 (last day of treatment), 60, 120, and 300.S2 Fig. Rarefaction curves for A) Chao1, B) Observed ASVs, and C) Shannon Index.S1 Table. Clinical data of cats participating to the study.S2 Table. Alpha diversity metrics (mean ± standard deviation) with summary statistics; CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S3 Table. Beta diversity differences based on ANOSIM analysis. CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S4 Table. Beta diversity differences based on PERMANOVA analysis. CON, healthy cats that did not receive antibiotics; AMC, cats treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days; DOX, cats treated with doxycycline for 28 days.S5 Table. Summary statistics of sequencing data describing the mean percent and standard deviation of sequences belonging to antibiotic-treated (AMC and DOX groups) and healthy (CON group) cats.S6 Table. Summary statistics of qPCR data describing the mean log abundance and standard deviation of bacterial groups belonging to antibiotic-treated (AMC and DOX groups) and healthy (CON group) cats.The Miller Trust Award of the Winn Feline Foundation.http://www.plosone.orgam2022Production Animal Studie

The fecal microbiome and metabolome differs between dogs fed Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diets and dogs fed commercial diets

Introduction: Feeding a Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet has become an increasing trend in canine nutrition. Bones and Raw Food diets contain a high amount of animal components like meat, offal, and raw meaty bones, combined with comparatively small amounts of plant ingredients like vegetables and fruits as well as different sorts of oil and supplements. While many studies have focused on transmission of pathogens via contaminated meat and on nutritional imbalances, only few studies have evaluated the effect of BARF diets on the fecal microbiome and metabolome. The aim of the study was to investigate differences in the fecal microbiome and the metabolome between dogs on a BARF diet and dogs on a commercial diet (canned and dry dog food). Methods: Naturally passed fecal samples were obtained from 27 BARF and 19 commercially fed dogs. Differences in crude protein, fat, fiber, and NFE (Nitrogen-Free Extract) between diets were calculated with a scientific nutrient database. The fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR assays. The fecal metabolome was analyzed in 10 BARF and 9 commercially fed dogs via untargeted metabolomics approach. Results: Dogs in the BARF group were fed a significantly higher amount of protein and fat and significantly lower amount of NFE and fiber. There was no significant difference in alpha-diversity measures between diet groups. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed a significant difference in beta-diversity (p < 0.01) between both groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) showed a higher abundance of Lactobacillales, Enterobacteriaceae, Fusobacterium and, Clostridium in the BARF group while conventionally fed dogs had a higher abundance of Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. The qPCR assays revealed significantly higher abundance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium (C.). perfringens and an increased Dysbiosis Index in the BARF group. Principal component analysis (PCA) plots of metabolomics data showed clustering between diet groups. Random forest analysis showed differences in the abundance of various components, including increased 4-hydroxybutryric acid (GBH) and 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the BARF group. Based on univariate statistics, several metabolites were significantly different between diet groups, but lost significance after adjusting for multiple comparison. No differences were found in fecal bile acid concentrations, but the BARF group had a higher fecal concentration of cholesterol in their feces compared to conventionally fed dogs. Conclusion: Microbial communities and metabolome vary significantly between BARF and commercially fed dogs

Feline pancreatic lipase composition and method of preparing and using such composition

A novel form of lipase, namely feline pancreatic lipase (also termed feline classical pancreatic lipase) has an N-terminal amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO. 1. A method of purifying this lipase includes collecting pancreatic tissue from cats, delipidating the pancreatic tissue to produce a delipidated pancreatic extract, extracting pancreatic lipase from the delipidated pancreatic extract, and eluting the extracted pancreatic lipase through various columns. This lipase can be used for measuring pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in serum thereby diagnosing pancreatitis in cats. To do so, antiserum against feline pancreatic lipase is prepared, and immunoassays are then performed in serum samples using this antiserum. In the event that increased concentration of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity above the control range is detected in the serum, the cat might have pancreatitis.U

Evaluation of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsy samples from cats and dogs in an adapter-modified Ussing chamber

This study was conducted to evaluate an adapter-modified Ussing chamber for assessment of transport physiology in endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsies from healthy cats and dogs, as well as dogs with chronic enteropathies. 17 duodenal biopsies from five cats and 51 duodenal biopsies from 13 dogs were obtained. Samples were transferred into an adapter-modified Ussing chamber and sequentially exposed to various absorbagogues and secretagogues. Overall, 78.6% of duodenal samples obtained from cats responded to at least one compound. In duodenal biopsies obtained from dogs, the rate of overall response ranged from 87.5% (healthy individuals; n = 8), to 63.6% (animals exhibiting clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and histopathological unremarkable duodenum; n = 15), and 32.1% (animals exhibiting clinical signs of gastrointestinal diseases and moderate to severe histopathological lesions; n = 28). Detailed information regarding the magnitude and duration of the response are provided. The adapter-modified Ussing chamber enables investigation of the absorptive and secretory capacity of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsies from cats and dogs and has the potential to become a valuable research tool. The response of samples was correlated with histopathological findings

Alteration of the fecal microbiota and serum metabolite profiles in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease

WOS: 000457442100004PubMed: 25531678Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease in dogs. The combination of an underlying host genetic susceptibility, an intestinal dysbiosis, and dietary/environmental factors are suspected as main contributing factors in the pathogenesis of canine IBD. However, actual mechanisms of the host-microbe interactions remain elusive. The aim of this study was to compare the fecal microbiota and serum metabolite profiles between healthy dogs (n = 10) and dogs with IBD before and after 3 weeks of medical therapy (n = 12). Fecal microbiota and metabolite profiles were characterized by 454-pyrosequencing of 16 S rRNA genes and by an untargeted metabolomics approach, respectively. Significantly lower bacterial diversity and distinct microbial communities were observed in dogs with IBD compared to the healthy control dogs. While Gammaproteobacteria were overrepresented, Erysipelotrichia, Clostridia, and Bacteroidia were underrepresented in dogs with IBD. The functional gene content was predicted from the 16 S rRNA gene data using PICRUSt, and revealed overrepresented bacterial secretion system and transcription factors, and underrepresented amino acid metabolism in dogs with IBD. The serum metabolites 3-hydroxybutyrate, hexuronic acid, ribose, and gluconic acid lactone were significantly more abundant in dogs with IBD. Although a clinical improvement was observed after medical therapy in all dogs with IBD, this was not accompanied by significant changes in the fecal microbiota or in serum metabolite profiles. These results suggest the presence of oxidative stress and a functional alteration of the GI microbiota in dogs with IBD, which persisted even in the face of a clinical response to medical therapy.Comparative Gastroenterology Society/Waltham Research GrantThis study was supported by the Comparative Gastroenterology Society/Waltham Research Grant

Cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation

BACKGROUND: Release of myelin basic protein (MBP) into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is associated with active demyelination and correlates with outcome in various neurological diseases. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe associations between CSF MBP concentration, initial neurological dysfunction, and long-term ambulatory outcome in dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). ANIMALS: 574 dogs with acute thoracolumbar IVDH and 16 clinically normal dogs. METHODS: Prospective case series clinical study. Signalment, initial neurological dysfunction as determined by a modified Frankel score (MFS), and ambulatory outcome at > 3 month follow-up were recorded. Cisternal CSF MBP concentration was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations were estimated between CSF MBP concentration and various clinical parameters. RESULTS: Dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH that did not ambulate at follow-up had a higher CSF MBP concentration (median, 3.56 ng/ml; range, 0.59-51.2 ng/ml) compared to control dogs (median, 2.22 ng/ml; range, 0-3.82 ng/ml) (P = 0.032). A CSF MBP concentration of ≥ 3 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 76% to predict an unsuccessful outcome based on receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis (area under the curve = 0.688, P=0.079). Affected dogs with a CSF MBP concentration ≥ 3 ng/ml had 0.09 times the odds of ambulation at follow-up compared to affected dogs with CSF MBP concentration <3 ng/ml when adjusted for initial MFS (95% CI 0.01-0.66, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results would suggest that CSF MBP concentration may be useful as an independent prognostic indicator in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.American Kennel Club ACORN grant #1180-A