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Beckwith-Cohen B, Petersen-Jones SM. Manifestations of systemic disease in the retina and fundus of cats and dogs. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1337062. [PMID: 38444779 PMCID: PMC10912207 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1337062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The fundus is unique in that it is the only part of the body that allows for a noninvasive and uninterrupted view of vasculature and nervous tissue. Utilization of this can be a powerful tool in uncovering salient incidental findings which point to underlying systemic diseases, and for monitoring response to therapy. Retinal venules and arterioles allow the clinician to assess changes in vascular color, diameter, outline, and tortuosity. The retina and optic nerve may exhibit changes associated with increased or decreased thickness, inflammatory infiltrates, hemorrhages, and detachments. While some retinal manifestations of systemic disease may be nonspecific, others are pathognomonic, and may be the presenting sign for a systemic illness. The examination of the fundus is an essential part of the comprehensive physical examination. Systemic diseases which may present with retinal abnormalities include a variety of disease classifications, as represented by the DAMNIT-V acronym, for Degenerative/Developmental, Anomalous, Metabolic, Neoplastic, Nutritional, Inflammatory (Infectious/Immune-mediated/ischemic), Toxic, Traumatic and Vascular. This review details systemic illnesses or syndromes that have been reported to manifest in the fundus of companion animals and discusses key aspects in differentiating their underlying cause. Normal variations in retinal anatomy and morphology are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billie Beckwith-Cohen
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Simon M. Petersen-Jones
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Choi B, Kim S, Jang G. Nutritional evaluation of new alternative types of dog foods including raw and cooked homemade-style diets. J Vet Sci 2023; 24:e63. [PMID: 37638711 PMCID: PMC10556285 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.23037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New alternative types of pet foods such as raw and cooked homemade-style diets containing human food ingredients have been introduced due to a trend of pet humanization and diversification of consumer needs. OBJECTIVES To evaluate nutritional adequacy of new alternative types of dog foods containing human food ingredients as maintenance diets for dogs. METHODS Eleven homemade-style foods for adult dogs were purchased from online channel in Korea and analyzed to evaluate nutritional adequacy for adult dogs. Nutrients analyzed included crude protein, amino acids, crude fat, fatty acids, and minerals. RESULTS Crude protein and amino acids in all products satisfied Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements. Crude fat in one of 11 products did not meet AAFCO requirements. The most deficient minerals were selenium (10 of 11, 90.9%), copper (five of 11, 45.5%), zinc (five of 11, 45.5%), potassium (three of 11, 27.3%), calcium (three of 11, 27.3%), iron (two of 11, 18.2%), and magnesium (one of 11, 9.1%). Six products were not in the range of the recommended Ca:P ratio in AAFCO dog food maintenance nutrient profiles. CONCLUSIONS This study performed nutritional evaluation of raw and cooked homemade-style foods as maintenance diets for adult dogs. Some nutritional inadequacies were observed including some minerals, Ca:P ratio, and omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio, although three products (26.2%) satisfied the AAFCO standard except selenium. Overall, the data suggest a need for accurate nutritional adequacy statement for consumers based on proper methods to validate the formula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyeon Choi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Research Institute of Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Signatureby Korea Incorp., Seoul 06168, Korea
| | - San Kim
- BRD Korea Incorp., Hwaseong 18471, Korea
| | - Goo Jang
- Laboratory of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Research Institute of Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- BK21 Four Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education & Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
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Blanchard G, Amato C, André A, Bleis P, Ninet S, Zentek J, Nguyen P. Beneficial effects of a prescription home-prepared diet and of zucchini on urine calcium oxalate supersaturation and urinary parameters in adult cats. J Feline Med Surg 2022; 24:1203-1211. [PMID: 35142590 PMCID: PMC10812357 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x211067931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES From the authors' experience, the consumption of a balanced prescription home-prepared diet that includes zucchini (courgette) benefits cats with recurrent urolithiasis, but there is no published evidence to support this. The aim was to study the effects on urinary parameters of (1) a balanced prescription home-prepared diet containing zucchini, and (2) the addition of zucchini to a dry food, compared with two commercial therapeutic diets. METHODS Eight healthy cats were included in a Latin-square designed protocol. Five diets were evaluated: two commercial diets, designed for cats with urinary disorders, one high-moisture (U-WET) and one high-sodium dry (U-DRY); one home-prepared diet (HOME); one commercial dry food for adult maintenance (DRY); and DRY given together with 10 g of zucchini per kg body weight (DRY-Zuc). After a 7-day adaptation period, urine was collected and daily food and water intakes were assessed for 12 days. Urinary parameters, and relative supersaturation (RSS) for calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite, were determined. Data underwent repeated measures ANOVA analysis. RESULTS The digestibility of energy, dry matter, protein and fat was highest with the HOME diet. CaOx RSS was lowest in cats eating the HOME diet, but not significantly different from the U-WET or U-DRY diets. CaOx RSS was lower in cats eating the DRY-Zuc diet than in cats eating the DRY diet. Struvite RSS did not differ significantly among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study shows that a balanced prescription home-prepared diet was safe and allowed a very low urinary CaOx RSS. It also showed that adding zucchini to dry food lowered the urine CaOx RSS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Concetta Amato
- Nutrition, Physiopathology & Pharmacology Unit, Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Agnès André
- Nutrition, Physiopathology & Pharmacology Unit, Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Bleis
- Nutrition, Physiopathology & Pharmacology Unit, Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Samuel Ninet
- Nutrition, Physiopathology & Pharmacology Unit, Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Jürgen Zentek
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Nguyen
- Nutrition, Physiopathology & Pharmacology Unit, Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
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Villaverde C, Chandler M. Commercial vs Homemade Cat Diets: What you need to know. J Feline Med Surg 2022; 24:415-428. [PMID: 35311418 PMCID: PMC11104037 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x221090389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE A feeding plan recommendation for cats, both healthy and with disease, should include diet choice, amounts to feed and the feeding method. Diet choice can be complex owing to the abundance of products, sometimes with conflicting marketing messages, and the prevalence of information with no scientific basis. It is important to be aware of the specific challenges of both commercial and homemade diets. Moreover, a nutritional assessment is a prerequisite when recommending a diet to ensure that it is safe, appropriate for the cat's life stage and nutritious for long-term feeding. COMMERCIAL VS HOMEMADE DIETS There are a variety of commercial diets available, allowing considerable customisation. These products are regulated and can be tested to determine nutritional adequacy and safety, although as the industry is partly self-regulated, choice of manufacturer is important. Properly formulated homemade diets can be customised to the patient and are a good option when no commercial product that meets the patient's needs exists. Homemade diets can be an owner preference. A serious limitation is the lack of testing, potentially affecting safety and also resulting in a reliance on database information to determine nutritional adequacy. Generic homemade diet recipes (eg, sourced from the internet) have additional risks of deficiencies and imbalances, and are not recommended. Homemade diets should be devised by a veterinary nutrition specialist with consideration of both patient and owner factors. CLINICAL CHALLENGES Dietary misinformation, which is all too readily available on the internet, may result in owners making questionable feeding choices for their pets. A homemade diet may be requested by owners based on the perception that there are poor ingredients in commercial foods. The veterinary healthcare team needs to have good evidence-based information to present to owners about diet choice. EVIDENCE BASE Several decades of research on feline nutrition forms the basis for nutritional requirements and dietary recommendations. There are varying degrees of evidence regarding requirements for each nutrient, and a lack of data on the effects of different types of processing on nutrient needs.
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Lipid Fraction Properties of Homemade Raw Cat Foods and Selected Commercial Cat Foods. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112210905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to characterize lipid fraction extracted from five self-prepared and seven commercial cat foods using gas chromatography (GC) and pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) techniques. Self-prepared food recipes were composed using BARFny kalkulator, software dedicated for balancing cat diets, and prepared on the basis of fresh raw meat and offal. Extracted fat fractions were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with literature data for the fat of whole prey items to check the main assumptions of the software used. The fatty acid (FA) composition and distribution were determined using GC. The PDSC method was used for the determination of the oxidative stability of extracted fats. The obtained results indicate that self-prepared cat foods contained a high level of essential fatty acids (EFA) but low oxidative stability, especially for those with significant amounts of polyunsaturated FA. The FA profile and oxidative stability were examined for four dry and three wet commercial cat foods. It was found that their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was beneficial reaching 5.3:1 to 10.1:1, despite the low amount of EFA. The longer induction time was determined for fats extracted from commercial cat foods than for self-prepared ones, which indicate their higher oxidative stability.
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Oberbauer AM, Lai E, Kinsey NA, Famula TR. Enhancing student scientific literacy through participation in citizen science focused on companion animal behavior. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab131. [PMID: 34504998 PMCID: PMC8385872 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic served as the impetus to implement activities designed to engage students in the remote instructional environment while simultaneously developing scientific literacy skills. In a high enrollment general education animal science course, numerous activities were designed to improve scientific literacy. These included specifically developed videos covering strategies for reading published science literature, the utilization of topically relevant scientific articles that captured student interest, and engaging students in a citizen science exercise on whether dogs align themselves to the Earth's magnetic field during excretion behavior. Employing pre- and post-self-perception surveys coupled with tasking students to apply their scientific literacy skills in an assessment scenario demonstrated that students' self-perception of their scientific literacy improved 30% (P < 0.05) with approximately 80% of students accurately applying their literacy skills. The citizen science study on excretory behavior was modeled on previously published findings thereby providing an opportunity to validate the published work which had indicated that dogs align their bodies in a North–South axis during excretion. The present study did not demonstrate preferential alignment to any geomagnetic orientation which emphasized to the students the need for scientific replication. Inclusion of simple activities that were relevant to students' daily lives, and providing interpretive context for those activities, resulted in improved self-perceived scientific literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita M Oberbauer
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ellen Lai
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nathan A Kinsey
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Thomas R Famula
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Verbrugghe A, Rankovic A, Armstrong S, Santarossa A, Kirby GM, Bakovic M. Serum Lipid, Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles of Obese Cats Supplemented with Dietary Choline and Fed to Maintenance Energy Requirements. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2196. [PMID: 34438654 PMCID: PMC8388459 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a health concern for domestic cats. Obesity and severe energy restriction predispose cats to feline hepatic lipidosis. As choline is linked to lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that dietary choline supplementation would assist in reducing hepatic fat through increased lipoprotein transport and fatty acid oxidation. Twelve obese cats (body condition score [BCS] ≥ 8/9) were split into two groups. Cats were fed a control (n = 6; 4587 mg choline/kg dry matter [DM]) or a high choline diet (n = 6; 18,957 mg choline/kg DM) for 5 weeks, for adult maintenance. On days 0 and 35, fasted blood was collected, and the body composition was assessed. Serum lipoprotein and biochemistry profiles, plasma amino acids and plasma acylcarnitines were analyzed. The body weight, BCS and body composition were unaffected (p > 0.05). Choline increased the serum cholesterol, triacylglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma methionine (p < 0.05) and decreased the serum blood urea nitrogen and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05). Choline also reduced the plasma acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio (p = 0.006). Choline may assist in eliminating hepatic fat through increased fat mobilization and enhanced methionine recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adronie Verbrugghe
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Alexandra Rankovic
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.R.); (G.M.K.)
| | - Shafeeq Armstrong
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (S.A.); (M.B.)
| | - Amanda Santarossa
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Gordon M. Kirby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.R.); (G.M.K.)
| | - Marica Bakovic
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (S.A.); (M.B.)
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Abstract
Veterinarians are faced with the challenge of understanding and discussing the wide array of commercial pet foods with their clients. To promote these discussions, a pet food processing categorization system is applied to define familiar heat processed dry and can pet foods as ultra-processed commercial diets (UPCD) and other less processed diets as minimally processed commercial diets. A review of the FDA pet food recalls on commercial diets are used to discuss well-known health risks, such as nutritional imbalances, bacterial pathogens, aflatoxin, and toxic contaminations. A less-known concern of advanced glycation end products found in UPCDs is presented.
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Zafalon RVA, Perini MP, Vendramini THA, Pedrinelli V, Rentas MF, Morilha IB, Fiuza Henríquez LB, Conti RMC, Brunetto MA. Vitamin-mineral supplements do not guarantee the minimum recommendations and may imply risks of mercury poisoning in dogs and cats. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250738. [PMID: 33901261 PMCID: PMC8075222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of using the vitamin-mineral supplements to guarantee the minimum nutritional recommendations for pets in homemade foods, and hypothesizing that these products may contribute to toxic metals contamination, the present study aimed to determine the concentrations of essential minerals and toxic metals in vitamin-mineral supplements available in the Brazilian market and calculate if the amount recommended by the manufacturer guarantees the minimum recommendations of NRC (2006) and FEDIAF (2020), as well as calculating the amount of toxic metals that animals would consume, according to the amounts recommended by the manufacturer. Seven vitamin-mineral supplements were analyzed. The determination of essential minerals and toxic metals was performed using ICP-OES. Comparisons were made with the minimum recommendations for essential minerals, and with the maximum tolerated levels of toxic metals established by the FDA (2011), descriptively. Most of the vitamin-mineral supplements, in the quantities recommended by the manufacturers, do not guarantee the minimum recommendations of NCR (2006) and FEDIAF (2020) for the following elements: calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. Only one supplement had detectable selenium concentrations. Three supplements provided more than 0.02mg of mercury/kg of body weight, the safe upper limit used to establish the maximum tolerated level of this element. It is concluded that most vitamin-mineral supplements do not meet the minimum recommendations for most essential minerals and, if formulated by untrained professionals, even with supplementation, homemade foods may still be nutritionally deficient. Furthermore, some vitamin-mineral supplements analyzed may imply risks of mercury poisoning in pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pamplona Perini
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Vivian Pedrinelli
- Veterinary Nutrology Service (VNS), Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Fragoso Rentas
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Isabela Benelli Morilha
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ben Fiuza Henríquez
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Renata Maria Consentino Conti
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Marcio Antonio Brunetto
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, Pet Nutrology Research Center (CEPEN-PET), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil
- Veterinary Nutrology Service (VNS), Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Parker VJ. Nutritional Management for Dogs and Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:685-710. [PMID: 33773648 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The nutritional management of canine and feline chronic kidney disease and protein-losing nephropathy is discussed. Special attention is paid to assessment of body composition (body weight, body condition score, and muscle condition score) and the dysrexia that often occurs with kidney disease. Various nutrients of concern are discussed and specific dietary options are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J Parker
- The Ohio State University, 601 Vernon L. Tharp Street, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Nutritional Management for Dogs and Cats with Gastrointestinal Diseases. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:669-684. [PMID: 33653539 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) disease encompasses a wide variety of conditions, often with similar clinical signs. In order to optimize diet selection and nutritional management for dogs and cats with GI disease, it is important to consider a patient's nutritional assessment, problem list, specific nutrients of concern, and other factors. This review summarizes the process of utilizing this information to select a diet for a patient with GI disease as well as target levels for nutrients of concern. Overall, it is important to make an individualized recommendation and reassess the patient to make additional adjustments to the nutritional plan as needed as well as establishing target levels for nutrients of concern.
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Abstract
Obesity and overweight have an impact on more than half of pet cats and dogs. Effective and team-based communication is essential for creating an effective weight loss plan. The diet should meet all essential nutrient requirements during energy/calorie restriction. There are several ways to initiate a weight loss plan, and regular monitoring is essential for determining if a plan is working or needs to be adjusted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Shepherd
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Phase II Duck Pond Drive, Virginia Tech Mail Code 0442, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Bruckner I, Handl S. Survey on the role of nutrition in first-opinion practices in Austria and Germany: An evaluation of knowledge, preferences and need for further education. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2020; 105 Suppl 2:89-94. [PMID: 32484305 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A survey was conducted among first-opinion practices in Germany and Austria on dog nutrition consultation, food sold in the practice, recommendations given to owners, most commonly encountered consequences of malnutrition, need for further education and feeding of own dogs. Of the 169 participants, one third was from Austria, two thirds from Germany. Most practiced in the countryside or in suburbs, were female and between 36 and 55 years old. The majority felt that nutrition has become an important topic, and that "feeding myths" were on the rise. However, only in 18% of the practices at least one staff member had further education in nutrition, while none of the participants had a national or international degree. Only half of our participants felt qualified to give nutrition advice. A nutritional assessment was not regularly performed, and the Body Condition Score was not regularly assessed, often only when health problems were obvious. If a homemade diet was requested, practitioners rather referred to a nutritionist, while 25% left it up to the owners. Most relied on traditional premium diets for their patients and also for their own dogs. Feeding myths seemed to be widespread among veterinarians, too; even Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding and diets not complying with EU legislation were recommended. There is obvious need for further education and specialization to establish nutrition consultation as a profitable service in small animal practice.
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