Conceptos básicos de nutrición en perros y gatos

La mayoría de los animales de compañía dependen de los seres humanos para abastecer sus necesidades nutricionales. Los animales requieren en sus dietas de seis tipos principales de nutrientes: agua, hidratos de carbono, proteínas, lípidos, minerales y vitaminas. Cada uno de estos nutrientes tiene funciones específicas. La dieta debe ser equilibrada y adecuada a cada etapa de la vida, cubriendo los requerimientos nutricionales específicos en cada caso particular para lograr un desarrollo normal, manteniendo la salud de los animales. Los nutrientes que aportan energía en la dieta son los hidratos de carbono, lípidos y proteínas. La energía metabolizable es el valor más utilizado para expresar el contenido energético de las dietas comerciales e ingredientes de los alimentos para mascotas, así como las demandas energéticas de perros y gatos. Los requerimientos de hidratos de carbono en los animales de compañía no se conocen y los recomendados en las dietas dependen de la cantidad de alimento consumido y de la densidad calórica de la comida, entre otros. Por su parte, los lípidos de la dieta aportan los ácidos grasos esenciales. Los perros y gatos tienen necesidades fisiológicas de ácidos grasos esenciales omega 6 y omega 3. A diferencia de otros mamíferos, los gatos tienen necesidades de proteínas muy altas y son sensibles a la deficiencia del aminoácido arginina, también necesitan en su dieta la presencia de taurina. Las vitaminas y los minerales son necesarios en cantidades mínimas para actuar en numerosos procesos metabólicos del organismo. Considerando estos aspectos, la información aquí presentada servirá para que los lectores puedan proveer a los animales de compañía una nutrición óptima durante toda su vida.Most companion animals depend on humans to obtain and meet their nutritional requirements. Animals require six main nutrients in their diets: water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins. Each one of these nutrients has specific functions. The diet has to be balanced and adequate for each life period, meeting the specific nutritional requirements for each particular case, to maintain animal health. The nutrients that provide energy are carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Metabolizable energy is the most common value used to express the energy content of commercial diets and feed ingredients in companion animals, as well as to express the requirements of energy in dogs and cats. Carbohydrates requirements are not known in companion animals and the dietary recommendation depends on the amount of feed consumed, and the caloric density of the diet, among other factors. Also, dietary lipids provide essential fatty acids. Dogs and cats have physiological requirements of omega 6 and 3. Different from other mammals, cats have greater protein requirements, and they are sensitive to arginine deficiencies. Also, cats require taurine in their diets. Vitamins and minerals are required in minimal amounts to act in metabolic processes in the body. Considering these points, the objective of the present work is to give information to practitioners to provide an optimal nutrition during the entire life of the companion animals.Facultad de Ciencias VeterinariasInstituto de Genética Veterinari

Conceptos básicos de nutrición en perros y gatos

La mayoría de los animales de compañía dependen de los seres humanos para abastecer sus necesidades nutricionales. Los animales requieren en sus dietas de seis tipos principales de nutrientes: agua, hidratos de carbono, proteínas, lípidos, minerales y vitaminas. Cada uno de estos nutrientes tiene funciones específicas. La dieta debe ser equilibrada y adecuada a cada etapa de la vida, cubriendo los requerimientos nutricionales específicos en cada caso particular para lograr un desarrollo normal, manteniendo la salud de los animales. Los nutrientes que aportan energía en la dieta son los hidratos de carbono, lípidos y proteínas. La energía metabolizable es el valor más utilizado para expresar el contenido energético de las dietas comerciales e ingredientes de los alimentos para mascotas, así como las demandas energéticas de perros y gatos. Los requerimientos de hidratos de carbono en los animales de compañía no se conocen y los recomendados en las dietas dependen de la cantidad de alimento consumido y de la densidad calórica de la comida, entre otros. Por su parte, los lípidos de la dieta aportan los ácidos grasos esenciales. Los perros y gatos tienen necesidades fisiológicas de ácidos grasos esenciales omega 6 y omega 3. A diferencia de otros mamíferos, los gatos tienen necesidades de proteínas muy altas y son sensibles a la deficiencia del aminoácido arginina, también necesitan en su dieta la presencia de taurina. Las vitaminas y los minerales son necesarios en cantidades mínimas para actuar en numerosos procesos metabólicos del organismo. Considerando estos aspectos, la información aquí presentada servirá para que los lectores puedan proveer a los animales de compañía una nutrición óptima durante toda su vida.Most companion animals depend on humans to obtain and meet their nutritional requirements. Animals require six main nutrients in their diets: water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins. Each one of these nutrients has specific functions. The diet has to be balanced and adequate for each life period, meeting the specific nutritional requirements for each particular case, to maintain animal health. The nutrients that provide energy are carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Metabolizable energy is the most common value used to express the energy content of commercial diets and feed ingredients in companion animals, as well as to express the requirements of energy in dogs and cats. Carbohydrates requirements are not known in companion animals and the dietary recommendation depends on the amount of feed consumed, and the caloric density of the diet, among other factors. Also, dietary lipids provide essential fatty acids. Dogs and cats have physiological requirements of omega 6 and 3. Different from other mammals, cats have greater protein requirements, and they are sensitive to arginine deficiencies. Also, cats require taurine in their diets. Vitamins and minerals are required in minimal amounts to act in metabolic processes in the body. Considering these points, the objective of the present work is to give information to practitioners to provide an optimal nutrition during the entire life of the companion animals.Facultad de Ciencias VeterinariasInstituto de Genética Veterinari

Simultaneous pyometra and viable puppies’ gestation in a bitch

Here we describe a case of pyometra coexisting with gestation in a 4.5 year-old miniature short-haired Dachshund. The dog exhibited depression, vaginal discharge, polydipsia and dehydration. Ultrasound examination revealed the presence of low to moderate anechoic fluid collection in the left uterine horn. Blood analysis revealed mild neutrophilia with a left shift. Based on these findings a presumptive diagnosis of pyometra was made and the bitch was treated using amoxicillin-clavulanate with dopaminergic agonist (cabergoline). A second ultrasound scan revealed the presence of two gestational vesicles in the right uterine horn that were successfully carried to term. Unusually, while pyometra persisted in the left uterine horn, two viable puppies were delivered by caesarean section from the right uterine horn.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Efectos de la inclusión dietaria de harina de alfalfa sobre rendimiento productivo, carcasa y peso de órganos digestivos y linfoides del pollo de engorde tipo orgánico

Two hundred and forty Hubbard female broilers were used from 35 to 84 days of age to study the effects of alfalfa meal (HA) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, weight of digestive organs and weight of lymphoid organs. Chickens were bred in the Andean valley of Cajamarca, Peru, at 2750 meters above the sea level, fed diets containing three levels of HA as a partial replacement for corn, soybean meal and rice bran for 49 days. The birds were distributed in three treatments T0 (0% alfalfa meal), T1 (5% alfalfa meal) and T2 (10% alfalfa meal), each treatment with 4 repetitions of 20 birds each. The birds were slaughtered at 12 weeks of age. The body weight gain obtained was different (p<0.05) between treatments (77.4, 76.2 and 72.1 g/day for T0, T1 and T2, respectively). There were no differences between treatments in terms of consumption, feed conversion and carcass yield; however, differences were found (p<0.05) for relative weight of abdominal fat (T0: 2.30, T1: 2.60 and T2: 2.89%), relative weight of gizzard (T0: 1.00, T1: 1.03 and T2: 1.19%) and relative weight of intestines (T0: 2.26, T1: 2.38 and T2: 2.69%). No effect of HA on the weight of the lymphoid organs was found.Se utilizaron 240 pollos de engorde hembras Hubbard de 35 a 84 días de edad para estudiar los efectos de la harina de alfalfa (HA) sobre el rendimiento productivo, características de la carcasa, peso de órganos digestivos y peso de órganos linfoides. Los pollos fueron criados en el valle andino de Cajamarca, Perú, a 2750 msnm, alimentados con dietas que contenían tres niveles de HA como reemplazo parcial del maíz, torta de soya y polvillo de arroz por un período de 49 días. Las aves se distribuyeron en tres tratamientos T0 (0% HA), T1 (5% HA) y T2 (10% HA), cada tratamiento con 4 repeticiones de 20 aves cada una. Las aves fueron sacrificadas a las 12 semanas de edad. La ganancia diaria de peso fue diferente (p<0.05) entre tratamientos (77.4, 76.2 y 72.1 g/día para T0, T1 y T2, respectivamente). No hubo diferencias entre tratamientos en cuanto a consumo, conversión alimenticia y rendimiento de carcasa; sin embargo, se encontró diferencias significativas (p<0.05) para peso relativo de grasa abdominal (T0: 2.30, T1: 2.60 y T2: 2.89%), peso relativo de molleja (T0: 1.00, T1: 1.03 y T2: 1.19%) y peso relativo de intestinos (T0: 2.26, T1: 2.38 y T2: 2.69%). No se encontró efecto de la HA sobre el peso de los órganos linfoides

Effects of dietary inclusion of alfalfa meal on productive performance, carcass and weight of digestive and lymphoid organs in organic type broiler chicken

Se utilizaron 240 pollos de engorde hembras Hubbard de 35 a 84 días de edad para estudiar los efectos de la harina de alfalfa (HA) sobre el rendimiento productivo, características de la carcasa, peso de órganos digestivos y peso de órganos linfoides. Los pollos fueron criados en el valle andino de Cajamarca, Perú, a 2750 msnm, alimentados con dietas que contenían tres niveles de HA como reemplazo parcial del maíz, torta de soya y polvillo de arroz por un período de 49 días. Las aves se distribuyeron en tres tratamientos T0 (0% HA), T1 (5% HA) y T2 (10% HA), cada tratamiento con 4 repeticiones de 20 aves cada una. Las aves fueron sacrificadas a las 12 semanas de edad. La ganancia diaria de peso fue diferente (p<0.05) entre tratamientos (77.4, 76.2 y 72.1 g/día para T0, T1 y T2, respectivamente). No hubo diferencias entre tratamientos en cuanto a consumo, conversión alimenticia y rendimiento de carcasa; sin embargo, se encontró diferencias significativas (p<0.05) para peso relativo de grasa abdominal (T0: 2.30, T1: 2.60 y T2: 2.89%), peso relativo de molleja (T0: 1.00, T1: 1.03 y T2: 1.19%) y peso relativo de intestinos (T0: 2.26, T1: 2.38 y T2: 2.69%). No se encontró efecto de la HA sobre el peso de los órganos linfoides.Two hundred and forty Hubbard female broilers were used from 35 to 84 days of age to study the effects of alfalfa meal (HA) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, weight of digestive organs and weight of lymphoid organs. Chickens were bred in the Andean valley of Cajamarca, Peru, at 2750 meters above the sea level, fed diets containing three levels of HA as a partial replacement for corn, soybean meal and rice bran for 49 days. The birds were distributed in three treatments T0 (0% alfalfa meal), T1 (5% alfalfa meal) and T2 (10% alfalfa meal), each treatment with 4 repetitions of 20 birds each. The birds were slaughtered at 12 weeks of age. The body weight gain obtained was different (p<0.05) between treatments (77.4, 76.2 and 72.1 g/day for T0, T1 and T2, respectively). There were no differences between treatments in terms of consumption, feed conversion and carcass yield; however, differences were found (p<0.05) for relative weight of abdominal fat (T0: 2.30, T1: 2.60 and T2: 2.89%), relative weight of gizzard (T0: 1.00, T1: 1.03 and T2: 1.19%) and relative weight of intestines (T0: 2.26, T1: 2.38 and T2: 2.69%). No effect of HA on the weight of the lymphoid organs was found.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Physiological parameter values in greyhounds before and after high-intensity exercise

Dog sports competitions have greatly expanded. The availability of reference values for each type of activity could help assess fitness accurately. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL) and rectal temperature (RT) are relevant physiological parameters to determine the dogs response to effort. Previous studies in greyhounds have reported the effect of high-intensity exercise on many physiological parameters immediately after completing different racing distances and recovery times. However, there are no studies concerning physiological changes over shorter racing distances. We therefore assessed the effect of sprint exercise on HR, BL and RT in nine greyhounds performing sprint exercise over a 100-m distance chasing a lure. After the exercise, dogs underwent a passive 10-min recovery phase. Before the exercise, immediately after it and at 5 and 10 min during recovery, HR and RT were assessed and blood samples were collected for BL determination. HR, BL and RT values increased significantly after the exercise (P0.1), BL concentration and RT remained increased (P<0.01). The abrupt increase in HR, BL and RT values observed immediatel y after the exercise indicates the high intensity of the effort performed. Similarly, BL concentration after the exercise exceeded the 4 mmol/L lactate threshold, suggesting a predominant anaerobic metabolism during effort. Although HR returned to pre-exercise values 10 min after the exercise, a more extensive recovery phase would be necessary for a total return to resting values, particularly for BL and RT. In greyhounds subjected to high-intensity exercise, HR, BL and RT were reliable physiological parameters to accurately assess the physiological response to effort. The use of sprint exercises over short racing distances could be useful for appropriately monitoring fitness in sporting dogs.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Physiological parameter values in greyhounds before and after high-intensity exercise

Dog sports competitions have greatly expanded. The availability of reference values for each type of activity could help assess fitness accurately. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL) and rectal temperature (RT) are relevant physiological parameters to determine the dogs response to effort. Previous studies in greyhounds have reported the effect of high-intensity exercise on many physiological parameters immediately after completing different racing distances and recovery times. However, there are no studies concerning physiological changes over shorter racing distances. We therefore assessed the effect of sprint exercise on HR, BL and RT in nine greyhounds performing sprint exercise over a 100-m distance chasing a lure. After the exercise, dogs underwent a passive 10-min recovery phase. Before the exercise, immediately after it and at 5 and 10 min during recovery, HR and RT were assessed and blood samples were collected for BL determination. HR, BL and RT values increased significantly after the exercise (P0.1), BL concentration and RT remained increased (P<0.01). The abrupt increase in HR, BL and RT values observed immediatel y after the exercise indicates the high intensity of the effort performed. Similarly, BL concentration after the exercise exceeded the 4 mmol/L lactate threshold, suggesting a predominant anaerobic metabolism during effort. Although HR returned to pre-exercise values 10 min after the exercise, a more extensive recovery phase would be necessary for a total return to resting values, particularly for BL and RT. In greyhounds subjected to high-intensity exercise, HR, BL and RT were reliable physiological parameters to accurately assess the physiological response to effort. The use of sprint exercises over short racing distances could be useful for appropriately monitoring fitness in sporting dogs.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con aceite de pescado sobre la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal en perros sanos durante un programa de entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. En un diseño experimental cruzado, 5 perros machos fueron asignados aleatoriamente a los grupos control y aceite de pescado, y recibieron diariamente 54 mg de aceite de pescado/kg de peso corporal0,75. Todos fueron entrenados en cinta trotadora dos veces por semana durante 12 semanas. Cada sesión incluyó un total de 30 minutos a 8 km/h y 7,5 % de pendiente. Se evaluó la frecuencia cardíaca previa, inmediatamente posterior y a los 5 minutos de finalizada cada sesión de entrenamiento. Se midió la temperatura rectal previa y posterior a cada sesión. En el grupo aceite de pescado, la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal posteriores a cada sesión de entrenamiento disminuyeron significativamente (P0,1). Los resultados obtenidos podrían reflejar una mejora en el rendimiento en perros suplementados con aceite de pescado durante el entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. Sin embargo, sería interesante realizar más estudios que permitan explicar los mecanismos por los cuales la suplementación con aceite de pescado podría mejorar el rendimiento en entrenamiento.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program. In a crossover experimental design, 5 male dogs were randomly assigned to control and fish oil groups, and received 54 mg fish oil/kg of body weight0.75 per day. All dogs were trained on a treadmill twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session was 30 minutes long, at 8 km/h speed and a 7.5 % slope. Heart rate was assessed before, immediately after and 5 minutes after finishing each training session. Rectal temperature was measured before and after each session. In the fish oil group, heart rate and rectal temperature after each training session were significantly reduced (P0.1). The results obtained might show an improvement in the performance of dogs receiving fish oil supplementation during treadmill training. However, it would be interesting to conduct further studies to explain the mechanisms by which fish oil supplementation might improve performance during training.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con aceite de pescado sobre la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal en perros sanos durante un programa de entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. En un diseño experimental cruzado, 5 perros machos fueron asignados aleatoriamente a los grupos control y aceite de pescado, y recibieron diariamente 54 mg de aceite de pescado/kg de peso corporal0,75. Todos fueron entrenados en cinta trotadora dos veces por semana durante 12 semanas. Cada sesión incluyó un total de 30 minutos a 8 km/h y 7,5 % de pendiente. Se evaluó la frecuencia cardíaca previa, inmediatamente posterior y a los 5 minutos de finalizada cada sesión de entrenamiento. Se midió la temperatura rectal previa y posterior a cada sesión. En el grupo aceite de pescado, la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal posteriores a cada sesión de entrenamiento disminuyeron significativamente (P0,1). Los resultados obtenidos podrían reflejar una mejora en el rendimiento en perros suplementados con aceite de pescado durante el entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. Sin embargo, sería interesante realizar más estudios que permitan explicar los mecanismos por los cuales la suplementación con aceite de pescado podría mejorar el rendimiento en entrenamiento.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program. In a crossover experimental design, 5 male dogs were randomly assigned to control and fish oil groups, and received 54 mg fish oil/kg of body weight0.75 per day. All dogs were trained on a treadmill twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session was 30 minutes long, at 8 km/h speed and a 7.5 % slope. Heart rate was assessed before, immediately after and 5 minutes after finishing each training session. Rectal temperature was measured before and after each session. In the fish oil group, heart rate and rectal temperature after each training session were significantly reduced (P0.1). The results obtained might show an improvement in the performance of dogs receiving fish oil supplementation during treadmill training. However, it would be interesting to conduct further studies to explain the mechanisms by which fish oil supplementation might improve performance during training.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con aceite de pescado sobre la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal en perros sanos durante un programa de entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. En un diseño experimental cruzado, 5 perros machos fueron asignados aleatoriamente a los grupos control y aceite de pescado, y recibieron diariamente 54 mg de aceite de pescado/kg de peso corporal0,75. Todos fueron entrenados en cinta trotadora dos veces por semana durante 12 semanas. Cada sesión incluyó un total de 30 minutos a 8 km/h y 7,5 % de pendiente. Se evaluó la frecuencia cardíaca previa, inmediatamente posterior y a los 5 minutos de finalizada cada sesión de entrenamiento. Se midió la temperatura rectal previa y posterior a cada sesión. En el grupo aceite de pescado, la frecuencia cardíaca y temperatura rectal posteriores a cada sesión de entrenamiento disminuyeron significativamente (P0,1). Los resultados obtenidos podrían reflejar una mejora en el rendimiento en perros suplementados con aceite de pescado durante el entrenamiento en cinta trotadora. Sin embargo, sería interesante realizar más estudios que permitan explicar los mecanismos por los cuales la suplementación con aceite de pescado podría mejorar el rendimiento en entrenamiento.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on heart rate and rectal temperature in healthy dogs during a treadmill training program. In a crossover experimental design, 5 male dogs were randomly assigned to control and fish oil groups, and received 54 mg fish oil/kg of body weight0.75 per day. All dogs were trained on a treadmill twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session was 30 minutes long, at 8 km/h speed and a 7.5 % slope. Heart rate was assessed before, immediately after and 5 minutes after finishing each training session. Rectal temperature was measured before and after each session. In the fish oil group, heart rate and rectal temperature after each training session were significantly reduced (P0.1). The results obtained might show an improvement in the performance of dogs receiving fish oil supplementation during treadmill training. However, it would be interesting to conduct further studies to explain the mechanisms by which fish oil supplementation might improve performance during training.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria