Flávia Maria de Oliveira Borges Saad

Zeolites and Yucca schidigera in commercial ration for dogs: palatability, digestibility and reduction of fecal odors

The objective of this study was to determine the interference of extract additives of Yucca schidigera and zeolites (Clinoptilolita) on the palatability and digestibility of commercial rations and to evaluate their capacity for reducing fecal odor and improving of fecal consistency of dogs. It was used Beagle breed adult dogs with average weight of ±12.51 kg in 3 experiments, all of them in a completely randomized design. In the palatability test, performed on the first ten days, it was used 16 animals distributed in two diets (control diet, with 1.00% zeolite and control diet + 375 ppm Yucca schidigera) and, on reduction of fecal odor test, performed on the six following days, it was used 14 animals distributed in seven diets (one control and the other six formulated from control diet, containing Yucca schidigera (125, 250 or 375 ppm) or zeolites (0.50; 0.75 or 100%, however). These diets were also used in the digestibility and fecal score trials performed with 21 animals during 20 days. The inclusion of these aditivies in the diet does not harm the palatability neither digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and gross energy of the supplied food. Levels of 0.75% and 1.0% of zeolites significantly reduce odor of feces and increase fecal consistency when added to commercial rations for dogs.

Avaliações ultrassonográfica e radiográfica dos efeitos da suplementação com dois tipos de probióticos sobre o intestino de cães filhotes

The effects of supplementation with types of probiotics for beagle puppies that received high and low quality diets on the findings of imaging techniques were evaluaded. Eighteen animals were distributed in three randomized treatments: 1, control (diet), 2, diet with a probiotic (Bifidobacterium), and 3, diet with another probiotic (Lactobacillus). The experiment was divided into two phases each characterized by a change of diet. By ultrasonography, the thickness of the gastrointestinal wall was evaluated as well the presence of gas in the bowel and thickening of the wall by radiography. There was an increase in the thickness of the intestinal wall (P 0.05) were observed among treatments for scores of intestinal gas. The quantitative analysis allowed the determination of a score of intestinal gas, noninvasively, using the software Image J ®. It was concluded that the imaging technique supports the recommendation of this method as an auxiliary tool in nutritional assessment of diets for dogs.

Increasing levels of zeolite and Yucca schidigera in diets for adult cats

The effect of the additives Yucca schidigera (YSC) and zeolite (clinoptilolite) on digestibility, fecal texture and odor, blood parameters and urine pH of domesticated felines was evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with twenty-one cats, in two periods, distributed in seven treatments: moist commercial feed (control); control + 125, 250 and 375 ppm YSC; and control + 0.5; 0.75 and 1.0 % zeolite. No differences were observed between the diets regarding apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrient, energy, urine pH or blood parameters. However, levels of 0.5 and 0.75% zeolite were effective both in reducing odor (R2 = 96.39) and for fecal texture (R2 = 99.63), showing a quadratic pattern for these variables. Levels of 125 and 375 ppm YSC were also efficient in reducing fecal odor; however they did not adjust to regression. Levels of 0.5% and 0.75% zeolite significantly reduce odor of feces and increase fecal texture when added to commercial feed for cats.

Efeitos do extrato da parede de levedura na digestibilidade, no escore fecal e na palatabilidade de dietas para gatos

Para avaliar o efeito do extrato seco da parede de levedura (EPL) sobre a digestibilidade, o escore fecal e a palatabilidade de dietas para gatos, foram realizados tres ensaios experimentais. No primeiro, 20 animais adultos foram distribuidos ao acaso em quatro tratamentos: dieta comercial umida (controle) e dieta-controle + 0,2, ou dieta-controle + 0,4 ou dieta-controle + 0,6% de EPL na materia seca. No segundo, utilizaram-se alimento seco e as mesmas proporcoes com o mesmo delineamento do primeiro experimento. No ensaio 3, de palatabilidade, 20 gatos adultos receberam simultaneamente dieta comercial umida sem e com a inclusao de 0,4% de EPL. No experimento 1, nao foram observadas diferencas quanto a digestibilidade da materia seca, proteina bruta, extrato etereo, materia orgânica e energia bruta, assim como no escore fecal; no segundo, houve aumento linear (P<0,46) no coeficiente de digestibilidade da materia seca, e, no terceiro, observou-se efeito negativo da inclusao de 0,4% sobre a palatabilidade da dieta (P<0,004). Conclui-se que a inclusao de EPL em dietas umidas nao influi na digestibilidade, mas pode comprometer a palatabilidade, e que em dietas secas ha melhora da digestibilidade da materia seca.

Acidifying and yeast extract in diets for adults cats

This study evaluated the effects of adding an acidifying agent based on phosphoric acid (A), a yeast extract from a specific strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (Y) and the combination of these two additives in food for adult cats. A test was conducted with 24 animals (mean 3.5 years old), mixed breed, weighing 3.72 ± 0.74 kg, kept in individual metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial design (with or without A 0.6% of dry matter, with or without Y 1.5% of dry matter) totalling four treatments and six replicates of each condition. The experimental period was 15 days. The A or the Y reduced (P< 0.01) the dry matter intake, but the effect was not observed when they were associated. The association improved (P<0.05) the digestibility of dry matter and ashes. The A reduced urine pH (P=0.05) regardless of the presence of the Y. There was no effect (P>0.09) on other parameters evaluated. Results of this study show that the isolated use of 0.6% A or 1.5% Y in diets for cats is not recommended. However, the association of these two additives was beneficial in increasing nutrient digestibility.

Urinary acidifier in diet with high excess base for adult cats

Maintaining the pH of urine in the ideal range (6.2 - 6.4) is of great importance for health promotion in the lower urinary tract of cats. In the economic and standard feed sector this is a major concern, given that the animal urine tends to be alkaline after food consumption of those commercial segments, which predispose to the formation of struvite urolith. Therefore, this study aimed to study the effects of increasing levels of urinary acidifiers (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%, on a dry matter base) in feed with high excess base over the acid-basic balance in the organism, apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients, urinary pH, hydro-electrolyte balance in cats, as well as the adequacy of equations proposed in the literature to estimate the urinary pH. Twenty-four adult cats, males and females were distributed in a completely randomized design, consisting of six animals per treatment. The dry matter content of urine presented a quadratic behavior (p 0.05). The equations proposed in the literature, which use excess of base in feed to estimate urinary pH, overestimated the pH values found in this study.

Yucca schidigera e zeólita em alimento para gatos adultos e seus efeitos na excreção de minerais

Avaliou-se efeito da inclusao de Yucca schidigera e zeolita (Clinoptilolita) em alimento comercial umido para gatos sobre a aceitabilidade da dieta, producao fecal diaria e porcentagem de aguas nas fezes, e sobre o coeficiente de indigestibilidade aparente de calcio, fosforo, magnesio, sodio, potasso, ferro e manganes. Foram utilizados 21 gatos adultos, sem raca definida, com quatro anos e meio de idade e peso medio de 3,56kg, distribuidos em sete tratamentos - dieta umida denominada controle, e dietas controle com adicao de 125, 250 e 375ppm de Yucca schidigera e 0,5%, 0,75% e 1,0% de zeolita - em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Nao foram observadas diferencas significativas na aceitabilidade das dietas, na producao fecal diaria, na porcentagem de agua nas fezes e no coeficiente de indigestibilidade aparente nos minerais avaliados (P>0,05). A inclusao dos aditivos que apresentam como funcao principal a reducao de odor fecal pode ser realizada sem interferencias sobre a saude dos animais, do ponto de vista da nutricao mineral.

Tripolifosfato de sódio e hexametafosfato de sódio na prevenção do cálculo dentário em cães

The effect of dry food treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) or sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble on the accumulation of dental calculus in 25 dogs was evaluated. The study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and five repetitions. The experimental treatments were: 1) dry food; 2) dry food coated with TPP; 3) dry food with TPP incorporated into the interior of the kibble; 4) dry food coated with HMP; 5) dry food with HMP incorporated into the interior of the kibble. The animals received the diets for a 90-day experimental period, and then, the teeth were clinically examined for the presence of calculus. The inclusion of HMP in the dry food, as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble, and the inclusion of TPP as kibble coated reduced the accumulation of dental calculus compared to the control group without anti-calculus agents. HMP was the most efficient phosphate, reducing the accumulation of dental calculus in 47%. The forms of HMP inclusion in the dry food exerted no significant effect upon calculus formation. However, there was a reduction of calculus accumulation when TPF was incorporated as coating of the kibble, compared to the inclusion of this phosphate into the interior of the kibble. It was concluded that phosphates incorporated in the dry food reduce the accumulation of dental calculus in dogs.

Eficácia dos coadjuvantes de higiene bucal utilizados na alimentação de cães

The use of coadjutants in the decrease of the bacterial plate and formation of the dental calculus was evaluated in 16 dogs. The experimental design was randomized with four treatments (T) and four repetitions. The treatments were the following: 1- control; 2- coadjutant 1 (one) with mechanical action; 3- coadjutant 2 (two) with tripolyphosphate of sodium and 4- coadjutant 3 (three) with hexametaphosphate of sodium. After seven days of adaptation, on the day previous to the beginning of the treatments, the animals were submitted to the removal of dental calculus and after twenty-one days of treatment a measurement of the bacterial plaque formed through the use of markers (fucsin). The coadjutant only with mechanical action was not effective in delaying the appearance of the bacterial plaque. The coadjutant containing polyphosphates presented an effective and significant action decreasing the formation of the dental calculus.

Inclusion of Yucca schidigera and zeolite in dog feed: influence on mineral excretion

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Yucca schidigera and zeolite (Clinoptilolite) to feed (super premium and standard) for adult dogs on the apparent indigestibility coefficient of minerals. In the first assessment, 21 dogs were used, with average weight of 12.5kg±1.46 in seven treatments in two periods (super premium diet referred to as control and control with the addition of 125, 250, 375ppm Yucca schidigera and 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0% zeolite). The second assessment was conducted with standard feed, using 21 experimental plots distributed in three treatments (standard diet referred to as control and control with the addition of 375ppm of Yucca schidigera and 1.0% zeolite). The additives did not affect the acceptability of feed and fecal characteristics in both assessments (P>0.05). With the exception of calcium, no minerals were affected by the inclusion of additives (P>0.05) in the experiment with super premium feed. In the assessment with standard feed, calcium as phosphorus and magnesium presented decreased excretion (P<0.05) with the inclusion of additives. It is possible to conclude that the inclusion of additives in the tested concentrations may interfere with the excretion of some minerals in the diet.