Effect of Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Magnesium, and Zinc on Canine Behavioral Disorders: Results of a Pilot Study

Nutritional adjuvants with antioxidant properties in the treatment of canine leishmaniasis

Clinical improvement of dogs treated for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) requires reducing Leishmania infantum loads, which depend on intracellular oxidant compounds to destroy the parasite. However, oxidative species' excess and antioxidants consumption can culminate in oxidative stress, resulting in increased, widespread inflammation. We aimed to evaluate if early or late addition of nutritional adjuvants (NAs) - omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins - to anti-Leishmania drugs (ALDs) in the treatment of CanL would be clinically beneficial. For that, serum biomarkers including oxidative stress parameters were analyzed during 12 months in dogs allocated to two treatment groups: (G1) NAs administered from 30 days prior to the beginning of ALDs; and (G2) NAs administered from 61 days after the beginning of ALDs. Both G1 and G2 continued to receive NAs until the 12th month. The ALDs administered were metronidazole associated with ketoconazole (40 days), followed by allopurinol from day 41 until the 12th month. G1 exhibited superior inflammation control, with reduced globulins (p = 0.025), specific anti-Leishmania immunoglobulins (p = 0.016), total protein (p = 0.031), and an increased serum albumin/globulin ratio (p = 0.033), compared to G2. The early use of NAs associated with ALDs is clinically beneficial in treating dogs with CanL.

Therapeutic Effect of EPA/DHA Supplementation in Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Companion Animal Diseases: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of this study is to identify and describe randomized controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic effect of EPA and DHA supplementation in companion animal diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed database and the information collected was summarized and evaluated according to the risk of bias, using the revised Cochrane tool (RoB2).

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were eligible for inclusion: twenty performed in dogs and three in cats. A therapeutic benefit was found in canine allergic dermatitis, haircoat disorder, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, valvular disease, and canine and feline osteoarthritis. Dogs diagnosed with chronic heart failure and lymphoma and cats with allergic dermatitis also seem to benefit from supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, but studies with improved methodological quality are needed to strengthen this evidence.

CONCLUSION

EPA and DHA supplementation has proven benefits in the adjuvant treatment of various neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases in dogs and cats.

Zinc in Dog Nutrition, Health and Disease: A Review

Simple Summary

This work compiles the current state of knowledge regarding zinc requirements of healthy dogs and biomarkers of zinc status. To ensure an adequate zinc status, it is important to know the zinc content of foods and their bioavailability to assess the need and the ideal supplementation strategy regarding levels and sources of additives in complete dog foods. As zinc is required for enzymatic, structural, and regulatory functions in the animal body, its nutritional status has been associated with several pathologies that may be due to, or exacerbated by, a deficit of dietary zinc supply.

Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element, required for enzymatic, structural, and regulatory functions. As body reserves are scarce, an adequate zinc status relies on proper dietary supply and efficient homeostasis. Several biomarkers have been proposed that enable the detection of poor zinc status, but more sensitive and specific ones are needed to detect marginal deficiencies. The zinc content of commercial dry dog foods has great variability, with a more frequent non-compliance with the maximum authorized limit than with the nutritional requirement. The bioavailability of dietary zinc also plays a crucial role in ensuring an adequate zinc status. Despite controversial results, organic zinc sources have been considered more bioavailable than inorganic sources, albeit the zinc source effect is more evident after a restriction period of dietary zinc. Many disorders have been associated with inadequate zinc status, not being clear whether the occurrence of the disease is the consequence or the cause. This review presents data on zinc requirements and biomarkers for zinc status, that can be applied for the development of supplementation strategies of zinc in complete pet foods. Moreover, it provides an understanding of the role zinc plays in the health of dogs, and how altered zinc status affects diseases in dogs.

The Analysis of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Dried Dog Food Enriched with an Aurantiochytrium limacinum Biomass: Matrix Extension Validation and Verification of AOAC Method 996.06

BACKGROUND

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role in brain and retinal development in dogs. However, supranutritional dietary supplementation can result in health issues, including gastrointestinal bleeding, making the accurate analysis of DHA in dog food important for nutritional and welfare regulatory compliance.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to conduct a validation and verification of the AOAC 996.06 method, and hence establish its fitness for purpose, for the analysis of DHA in dried dog food supplemented with a heterotrophically grown unextracted DHA-rich Aurantiochytrium limacinum biomass.

METHODS

The AOAC 996.06 method, which involves the use of gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID), was used to conduct a validation of the analysis of DHA in dried dog food and the results were verified in a second laboratory.

RESULTS

The method was found to be linear over the ranges analyzed and results were found to be within the acceptance criteria for precision and accuracy, verifying the applicability for this matrix. The selectivity and sensitivity of the method were also determined.

CONCLUSIONS

The AOAC 996.06 method is fit for purpose for the analysis of DHA in dry dog food kibble.

HIGHLIGHTS

The method can be applied to various dog food samples, supplemented with an unextracted Aurantiochytrium limacinum biomass, using alternative manufacturing methods, i.e. pelleted and extruded with no significant matrix effects being observed.