A pilot study on the effect of fat loading on the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dogs

Association Between Diet Type and Owner-Reported Health Conditions in Dogs in the Dog Aging Project

BACKGROUND

Alternative dog diets, such as home-cooked and raw, have grown in popularity. Claims regarding health benefits for these diets have limited supporting evidence.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether feeding home-cooked, commercial raw, or homemade raw diets is associated with health conditions compared to extruded diets.

ANIMALS

Twenty-seven thousand four hundred seventy-eight dogs.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, survey-based study. We analyzed a large cross-sectional dataset (n = 27 478) of dogs fed homemade cooked (n = 1214), commercial raw (n = 961), homemade raw (n = 329), or extruded (n = 24 974) diets. We investigated associations between diet and 13 owner-reported health condition categories. Logistic regression was used for the analysis of all health conditions.

RESULTS

Controlling for sex, age, and body size or breed, a home-cooked diet was associated with higher odds of gastrointestinal (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-1.7), renal (aOR: 1.3; CI: 1.1-1.6), and hepatic disease (aOR: 1.6; CI: 1.2-2.0) compared to an extruded diet. A commercial raw diet was associated with higher odds of respiratory disease (aOR 1.7; CI: 1.3-2.3) compared to an extruded diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of cross-sectional data can only suggest effects of diet on health and are most useful for hypothesis generation or for testing existing hypotheses.

Research on the Optimization of Dietary Energy Supply in Growing and Fattening Pigs Under a Low-Temperature Environment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the optimization of dietary energy supply on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, energy metabolism, nutrient oxidation, slaughter performance, and meat quality of growing and fattening pigs under a low-temperature environment. In this study, forty-eight 60-day-old growing barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) with an initial body weight of 31.24 ± 3.56 kg were completely randomized into two treatment groups, with four replicates in each treatment group and six pigs in each replicate. The two groups were fed diets with equal protein levels and different energy levels (a conventional diet and an energy-optimized diet); the dietary energy level was increased by 8% by adding 6% fat, and the two groups were kept at the same ambient temperature (10 ± 1 °C) all day. After 5 d of prefeeding, the final weight reached approximately 110.00 kg prior to slaughter (99 days of age), and four pigs with a body weight of about 80.00 kg were selected in the two groups for digestion, metabolism, and respiratory calorimetry. The results showed that the average daily feed intake of the TES group (energy-optimized diet group, high fat and energy) was lower than that of the CON group (conventional diet group, normal fat and energy) (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the feed-to-gain ratio was lower in the TES group during the fattening period (60-110 kg) (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, fat and energy digestibility in the TES group were higher (p < 0.05), fecal nitrogen and urine nitrogen were lower (p < 0.05), the nitrogen deposition rate increased (p < 0.05), and fat oxidation and the sedimentation energy rate also increased (p < 0.05). The serum triglyceride concentration in the TES group was higher than that in the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, the carcass weight, body fat content, backfat thickness, and eye muscle area in the TES group increased (p < 0.05); the L* value of flesh color also increased (p < 0.05); and the shear force was lower (p < 0.05). The dietary energy should be optimized under a low-temperature environment, and the feed conversion efficiency of fattening pigs could be improved by improving dietary energy levels by adding fat, increasing the fat oxidation proportion, promoting nitrogen deposition and sedimentation energy, and improving slaughter performance and meat quality.

Feasibility and complications of videocapsule endoscopy in dogs weighing 7 kg or less

BACKGROUND

Videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) is a valuable tool for investigating gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in dogs. Its use is not recommended in dogs ≤4.3 kg, because of risks of GI endoscopic capsule (EC) retention and bowel obstruction.

OBJECTIVES

Describe the feasibility and complications of VCE in dogs ≤7 kg.

ANIMALS

Twenty-six client-owned dogs.

METHODS

Retrospective study describing the signalment, previous GI imaging, indications, findings, and complications of canine VCE studies submitted to Infiniti Medical between March 2020 and January 2023.

RESULTS

The median weight and age of dogs was 5.6 kg (range, 3-7) and 8.8 years (range, 1-16), respectively. Two capsules were administered endoscopically into the duodenum (1) and stomach (1). Sixteen out of 26 (62%, 95% CI, 40.51-79.70) dogs that underwent VCE had incomplete studies. Of the 24 capsules administered per os, 15 led to incomplete studies (battery died in the stomach (14), EC was vomited (1)). Body weight <5 kg significantly increased the risk of an incomplete study (OR: 3.67, 95% CI, 1.56-inf, P = .0074). Median esophageal, gastric, and small bowel transit time were 5 seconds (range, 1-180), 240 minutes (range, 17-335), and 73.5 minutes (range, 5-168), respectively. All 10 dogs with overt GI bleeding had a possible origin identified with VCE. Complications were limited to vomiting (1/26, 3.85%, 95% CI, 0-11.20).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Videocapsule endoscopy is a safe and informative procedure even when performed in dogs as small as 3 kg. However, weighing <5 kg increases the risk of incomplete studies.

Effects of corn oil ingestion on the intestinal mucosa of normal dogs

Introduction

We assessed corn oil's oral effectiveness in detecting small bowel changes in healthy dogs through ultrasonography, endoscopy, and histopathology. We hypothesize that corn oil ingestion will not significantly increase the visibility of lymphatics and lacteals in healthy dogs.

Methods

Five healthy male beagles were studied under institutional guidelines. The small intestine's mucosal changes were observed post corn oil consumption (0.5 mL/kg) at various time intervals using ultrasonography, endoscopy, and histopathology. Ultrasonography was employed in real-time, and mucosal echogenicity scores were assigned at multiple time points. Endoscopic and capsule endoscopic examinations were conducted weekly at different intervals post oil consumption, with biopsy samples taken from the duodenal and ileal mucosa for histopathological evaluations.

Results

Ultrasonographic evaluations showed no pathological conditions in any dog. While conventional endoscopic evaluations reflected normal variation, capsule endoscopy revealed significant duodenal and jejunal mucosal changes 3 h post-ingestion, but not in the ileum. Histopathological evaluation indicated a transient rise in the dilation of ileum villi 3 h post-ingestion, reducing by 12 h.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the observed physiological changes in the small intestinal mucosa, including lymphatic dilation, hyperechoic speckles, and stripes, were within the normal range after oil ingestion in healthy Beagle dogs.

Correlation Between Hyperlipidemia-Related Diseases and Thorax/Thigh Circumference Ratio Along with Body Condition Score in Dogs Focusing on Molecular Mechanism: A Pilot Study and Literature Review

There are some limitations to using the body condition score (BCS) for client education to prevent obesity, hyperlipidemia-related diseases, and orthopedic diseases in dogs because it is hard to quantify in detail. Especially in small dogs, patellar luxation is a common orthopedic disease that is related to obesity and the hind leg muscle. In this pilot study, the author evaluated the thorax/thigh circumference ratio as a prognostic evaluation index, along with the BCS, for assessing patellar dislocation and other hyperlipidemia-related diseases and states such as hypertriglyceridemia and obesity-related orthopedic disease in small dogs. Eleven client-owned dogs were selected randomly among patients that visited Bundang New York Animal Hospital, South Korea from June 2021 to August 2024. According to the results, triglycerides (TG) showed a negative correlation with thorax/thigh value (R = -0.585, p-value = 0.059) and a strong positive correlation with thigh circumference (R = 0.749, p-value = 0.008). Total cholesterol (TC) showed a strong positive correlation with thigh circumference (R = 0.776, p-value = 0.005), whereas the thorax/thigh value showed a negative correlation with the medial patella luxation (MPL) grade with low significance (R = -0.343, p-value = 0.302). These data indicate that thigh circumference can be an excellent negative indicator for hyperlipidemia and thorax/thigh value shows no correlation with medial patella luxation, which has many factors such as varus and trochlear groove. Despite the limitations of this study due to the small sample size, this pilot study is significant as it is the first trial to introduce a new indicator for monitoring hyperlipidemia at home by using a simple tape measure. Also, the author reviews molecular pathways including the ApoA-1, ApoE, and LPL genes, which are related to hyperlipidemia, to explain the results.

Video capsule endoscopy findings in dogs with chronic enteropathy and in healthy dogs

BACKGROUND

Video capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive technique for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety of using the video capsule ALICAM in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE) >10 kg, and to compare macroscopic gastrointestinal morphology between CE dogs and healthy controls (HC).

ANIMALS

Fifteen CE dogs and 15 similarly breed, age and body weight matched HC.

METHODS

All dogs underwent a clinical work up including blood analyses, fecal samples, abdominal ultrasonographic examination, and blood pressure measurement. The dogs were withheld from food for 16 hours before and 8 hours after they PO received an ALICAM. All recordings were quality assessed, and blindly evaluated by 2 trained observers.

RESULTS

The median age of CE dogs and HC was 3.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.5-5.9) years and 4.7 (IQR 3.3-5.6) years, respectively. The median body weight in the CE dogs and HC was 25.9 (IQR 20.6-30.9) kg, and 29 (IQR 16.2-30.5) kg, respectively. Complete recordings of the gastrointestinal tract were obtained from all dogs without complications. No significant differences were found between groups regarding number of abnormalities such as irregular mucosa, erythema, nonbleeding erosions, bleeding erosions, and dilated lacteals, as well as severity and extent of the abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The use of ALICAM for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in CE dogs and HC seems safe and feasible regarding gastrointestinal transit and macroscopic morphology assessment in dogs >10 kg. Abnormalities were found in similar proportions in CE dogs and HC.

Effects of overfeeding on the digestive efficiency, voluntary physical activity levels, and fecal characteristics and microbiota of adult cats

The incidence of feline obesity continues to rise despite it being a preventable disease. There are many risks and health perturbations associated with obesity, with several of those impacting a pet's quality of life, wellness, and longevity. Feline obesity is commonly studied, but most research has been focused on weight loss rather than weight gain. To our knowledge, feline studies have not examined the implications of overfeeding and weight gain on gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) nor the association it has with the fecal microbiota. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of overfeeding and weight gain on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), GTT, blood hormones, serum metabolites, hematology, fecal microbiota populations, and voluntary physical activity of cats. Eleven lean adult spayed female cats [body weight (BW) = 4.11 ± 0.43 kg; body condition score = 5.41 ± 0.3; age = 5.22 ± 0.03 y] were used in a longitudinal weight gain study. After a 2-wk baseline phase, cats were allowed to overeat for 18 wk. A commercially available complete and balanced diet was fed during the baseline phase to identify the intake needed to maintain BW. Cats were then fed the same diet ad libitum to induce weight gain. Fecal samples, blood samples, and voluntary physical activity data were collected at baseline (week 0) and 6, 12, and 18 wk after weight gain. Fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis, determination of ATTD, and GTT measurement while blood samples were collected for serum chemistry, hematology, and insulin and leptin measurements. Microbiota data were evaluated using QIIME2. All other measures were evaluated statistically using the mixed models procedure of SAS using repeated measures analysis, with time effects being the focus. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. The ATTD of dry matter (P = 0.0061), organic matter (P = 0.0130), crude protein (P < 0.0001), fat (P = 0.0002), and gross energy (P = 0.0002), and GTT (P = 0.0418) decreased with overfeeding and weight gain. Fecal bacterial alpha diversity measures were unchanged, but fecal bacterial beta diversity was impacted (P < 0.05) with overfeeding and weight gain. The relative abundances of 16 bacterial genera, including Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, Erysipelatoclostridium were affected (P < 0.05) by overfeeding and weight gain. In conclusion, overfeeding and subsequent weight gain reduced ATTD, reduced GTT, and caused changes to the fecal microbial community of adult cats.

Gastrointestinal transit time is faster in Beagle dogs compared to cats

OBJECTIVE

To characterize gastrointestinal transit times (GITTs) and pH in dogs, and to compare to data recently described for cats.

ANIMALS

7 healthy, colony-housed Beagles.

PROCEDURES

The GITTs and pH were measured using a continuous pH monitoring system. For the first period (prefeeding), food was withheld for 20 hours followed by pH capsule administration. Five hours after capsule administration, dogs were offered 75% of their historical daily caloric intake for 1 hour. For the second period (postfeeding), food was withheld for 24 hours. Dogs were allowed 1 hour to eat, followed by capsule administration. Both periods were repeated 3 times. The GITTs and pH were compared to published feline data.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD transit times in dogs for the pre- and postfeeding periods, respectively, were esophageal, 3 ± 5 minutes and 13 ± 37 minutes; gastric, 31 ± 60 minutes and 829 ± 249 minutes; and intestinal, 795 ± 444 minutes and 830 ± 368 minutes. The mean ± SD gastrointestinal pH in dogs for the pre- and postfeeding periods, respectively, were esophageal, 6.6 ± 0.6 and 5.7 ± 1.0; gastric, 3.0 ± 1.4 and 1.8 ± 0.3; intestinal, 7.9 ± 0.3 and 7.7 ± 0.6; first-hour small intestinal, 7.6 ± 0.5 and 7.1 ± 0.4; and last-hour large intestinal, 7.9 ± 0.6 and 7.7 ± 1.0. The first-hour small intestinal pH and total transit times varied between dogs and cats depending on feed period (P = .002 and P = .04, respectively). Post hoc analysis revealed significantly shorter total transit times in dogs prefeeding (P = .005; mean ± SD for cats, 2,441 ± 1,359 minutes; for dogs, 828 ± 439 minutes) and postfeeding (P = .03; mean ± SD for cats, 3,009 ± 1,220 minutes; for dogs, 1,671 ± 513 minutes). Total transit time for dogs was also shorter pre- versus postfeeding (P = .003).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

GITT is faster in Beagles compared to cats, but gastrointestinal pH are similar when fed the same diet.