High-Fat Diets Led to OTU-Level Shifts in Fecal Samples of Healthy Adult Dogs

High fat diets have been reported to negatively affect the microbiota in both mice and humans. However, there is a lack of studies in canine models. The variation among the gastrointestinal (GI) tract anatomy/physiology and typical diet compositions of these animal species may lead to vastly different results. Due to the large inclusion rate of dietary fat in pet food, it is critical to understand its effects in a canine model. Therefore, the study objective was to report the effects of high fat, low carbohydrate diets on the fecal microbiota in healthy adult dogs. Eight adult beagles were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments within each 15-day period of a replicated 4x4 Latin Square design. Diets contained 32% (T1), 37% (T2), 42% (T3), and 47% (T4) fat. T2, T3, and T4 were created by adding increasing levels of canola oil to T1, a commercially manufactured canned canine diet, which served as the control diet. Fresh fecal samples were collected during the last 5 days of each period for microbial analysis. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and paired-end 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. When comparing whole microbial communities using PERMANOVA, no significant differences were observed among treatments (P = 0.735). Individual OTUs were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with fixed effects of diet and room, and the random effects of period and animal. Out of the 100 most abundant individual OTUs, 36 showed significant differences in abundance based on treatment (q < 0.05). Overall, OTUs assigned to genera related to fat digestion increased while OTUs assigned to genera involved in carbohydrate digestion decreased. In conclusion, the microbial community adapted to dietary intervention without jeopardizing the health of the animals, evaluated by body condition score, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters.

Cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) meal fed to healthy adult dogs does not affect general health and minimally impacts apparent total tract digestibility

Insects can serve as a novel high-quality protein source for pet foods. However, there is an absence of research investigating the use of insects in pet food. The study objective was to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility and possible health effects of diets containing graded levels of cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) meal fed to healthy adult dogs. Thirty-two adult Beagles were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: 0%, 8%, 16%, or 24% cricket meal. Dogs were fed their respective diet for a total of 29 d with a 6-d collection phase. Fecal samples were collected daily during the collection phase to measure total fecal output as well as apparent total tract digestibility for dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein, fat, total dietary fiber, and gross energy. Blood samples were taken prior to the study and on day 29 for hematology and chemistry profiles. Data were analyzed in a mixed model including the fixed effects of diet and sex. Total fecal output increased on both an as-is (P = 0.030) and DM basis (P = 0.024). The apparent total tract digestibility of each nutrient decreased (P < 0.001) with the increasing level of cricket meal inclusion. All blood values remained within desired reference intervals indicating healthy dogs. Slight fluctuations in blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.037) and hemoglobin (P = 0.044) levels were observed but were not considered of biological significance. Even with the decrease in digestibility with the inclusion of cricket meal, diets remained highly digestible at greater than 80% total apparent digestibility. In conclusion, crickets were demonstrated to be an acceptable ingredient for dog diets.

Apparent total tract digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters of healthy adult dogs fed high-fat diets

Pet foods may be formulated with decreased starch to meet consumer demands for less processed diets. Fats and oils may be added to low-starch diets to meet energy requirements, but little is known about its effects on canine health. The study objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding healthy adult dogs low carbohydrate, high-fat diets on apparent total tract digestibility, fecal characteristics, and overall health status. Eight adult Beagles were enrolled in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design feeding trial. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary fat level treatments (T) within each period: 32% (T1), 37% (T2), 42% (T3), and 47% (T4) fat on a dry matter basis. Fat levels were adjusted with the inclusion of canola oil added to a commercial diet. Each dog was fed to exceed its energy requirement based on NRC (2006). Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts, chemistry profiles, and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity levels. Apparent total tract digestibility improved (P < 0.05) as the fat level increased for dry matter, organic matter, fat, and gross energy. Fecal output decreased as levels of fat increased in the diet (P = 0.002). There was no effect of fat level on stool quality or short-chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations in fecal samples (P ≥ 0.20). Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased with increased fat level (P = 0.035). No significant differences were seen in canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (P = 0.110). All blood parameters remained within normal reference intervals. In summary, increased dietary fat improved apparent total tract digestibility, did not alter fecal characteristics, and maintained the health status of all dogs.

243 Digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters of adult dogs fed high fat diets

The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding adult dogs increasing levels of fat in low carbohydrate diets on apparent digestibility, fecal characteristics, and health status. Eight adult beagles were used in a 4x4 replicated Latin square design. Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 fat levels within a phase: 32% (T1), 37% (T2), 42% (T3), and 47% (T4). Fat levels were adjusted with inclusion of canola oil to a commercial diet. Each dog was fed to exceed their energy requirement based on NRC recommendation. Dogs were fed their respective diet twice daily for 15 days. Total fecal collections were done d 11–15 and blood samples were taken on d 15. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (diet and room as fixed effects; period and dog were random). Covariates of baseline, initial body weight, and/or initial body condition score were dependent on trait. Digestibility improved linearly with fat level for dry matter (P = 0.021), organic matter (P = 0.019), and fat (P = 0.001). Fecal output decreased as levels of fat increased in the diet (P = 0.002). There was no effect of fat level on stool quality or short chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations in fecal samples (P &gt; 0.1). Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts and chemistry profiles. All parameters remained within normal reference intervals. Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased with increased fat level (P = 0.03). No significant differences were seen in canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity. In addition, serum metabolomics were analyzed among T1 and T4. Metabolite data were log2-transformed and changes among diets were detected using a linear mixed model, the metabolomic profile among diets was characterized using linear discriminant analysis. 19 metabolites, primarily phosphatidylcholines, were statistically significant among treatments. Increase of dietary fat improved digestibility, did not disrupt fecal characteristics, and maintained the health status of each dog.

164 Digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters of adult dogs fed high fat diets

Pet foods may be formulated with decreased starch to meet consumer demands for less processed diets. Fats and oils may be added to low starch diets to meet energy requirements, but little information is known about its effects on canine health. The study objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding adult dogs increasing levels of fat in low carbohydrate diets on apparent digestibility, fecal characteristics, and overall health status. Eight adult beagles were used in a 4x4 replicated Latin square design. Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 fat levels within a phase: 32.1% (TRT1), 37.1% (TRT2), 41.9% (TRT3), and 46.5% (TRT4). Fat levels were adjusted with the inclusion of canola oil to a commercial diet. Each dog was fed to exceed their energy requirement based on NRC recommendation for maintenance. Dogs were fed their respective diet twice daily for 15 d with ad libitum water. In each phase, total fecal collections were done d 11–15 and blood samples were taken on d 15. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with diet and room as fixed effects; period and dog were random. Covariates of baseline, initial body weight, and/or initial body condition score were dependent on trait. Digestibility improved linearly with fat level for dry matter (P = 0.021), organic matter (P = 0.019), and fat (P = 0.001). Fecal output decreased as levels of fat increased in the diet (P = 0.002). There was no effect of fat level on stool quality or short chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations in fecal samples (P > 0.1). Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts and chemistry profiles. All parameters remained within normal reference intervals. Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased with increased fat level (P = 0.03). Overall, the increase of dietary fat improved digestibility, did not disrupt fecal characteristics, and maintained the health status of each dog.

PSIV-5 Can dietary oxidized protein induce oxidative stress in pigs?

Endogenous protein oxidation as a result of oxidative stress is known to reduce the efficiency of livestock species (Boler et al., 2012; DeRouchey et al., 2004; Dibner, Atwell, Kitchell, Shermer, & Ivey, 1996). Additionally, rendered by-products are common feedstuffs in livestock diets. During processing, these sources have the potential to become oxidized. While most research on oxidative stress has focused on consumption of dietary oxidized lipids, little research has been done in the area of dietary oxidized proteins and the potential to induce oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary oxidized protein on oxidative stress in pigs. For this study, 30 pigs 6 weeks old were divided into three dietary treatments of control, medium, and high dietary oxidized protein. Each treatment was fed the same diet, with the exception of the degree of oxidation in bovine plasma which was included in the diet at 10 percent. Pigs were fed for 19 days and then euthanized for tissues collected. Jejunum, liver, and colon were collected along with urine and plasma samples on day 0 and 18. Jejunum samples were also collected for histology. Markers of oxidative stress included protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), 8-hydroxyguanine, and glutathione peroxidase activity. Pigs in the high oxidation treatment had an increase in crypt depth of 16 percent (p-value less than 0.05) when compared to control further resulting in an 11 percent decrease in villi height to crypt depth ratio (p-value less than 0.05). Additionally, lipid oxidation products, measured by TBARS, was 28 percent greater in the liver of pigs in the medium oxidation treatment (p-value less than 0.05) when compared to control. Even with the short duration of this study, dietary oxidized protein did impact the oxidative status of the animal. Using pigs as a model for companion animals, it could be hypothesized then that long-term exposure could have implications on longevity.