Jennifer A. Larsen

Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs

JAVMA, Vol 242, No. 11, June 1, 2013 D the availability of complete and balanced commercial canine maintenance diets, many owners choose to prepare their pet’s diet at home for reasons such as having more control of the foods that their pet eats, distrust in pet food companies, and the desire to feed a more natural diet. Recipes published by veterinarians and lay writers are readily accessible to pet owners in the popular media (Internet, pet magazines, and books). However, current recommendations are that home-prepared diets are best evaluated and formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. In general, many homeprepared diets are more costly, more time-consuming, and less convenient than are commercial diets, and many home-prepared diets have major nutritional imbalances. Another concern is lack of clear instructions in many recipes, which necessitates assumptions or judgments by pet owners. The nutritional adequacy of recipes for 67 home-prepared diets for dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease has been evaluated, and assumptions were needed for the preparation of every recipe. Lack of clear instructions likely increases variability and potentially impacts the nutritional profile of the prepared diet. Combined with problems of nutritional adequacy, this may result in substantial harm to pets when homeprepared diets are used on a long-term basis. The information reported here is intended to provide an evaluation of recipes for home-prepared diets for adult dogs conducted via computer-based software and compared with recommendations for essential nutrient intake in adult dogs as provided by the NRC and AAFCO. A secondary objective was to compare recipes written by veterinarians with those written by nonveterinarians. We believed that most of the recipes would not meet requirements for essential nutrients and that recipes written by nonveterinarians would have a higher number of deficiencies than recipes written by veterinarians. We also expected all recipes to require that at least 1 assumption would be necessary for preparation of the diet and dietary analysis. Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs

Evaluation of recipes for home-prepared diets for dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE To evaluate recipes of diets recommended for animals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), compare nutritional profiles for those recipes to requirements for adult dogs and cats, and assess their appropriateness for the management of CKD. DESIGN Evaluation study. SAMPLE Recipes of 67 home-prepared diets promoted for use in dogs (n = 39 recipes) and cats (28) with CKD. PROCEDURES Recipes were analyzed with computer software to determine calories, macronutrient calorie distribution, and micronutrient concentrations and were assessed for appropriateness for the management of CKD. RESULTS Assumptions were required for the analysis of every recipe, and no recipe met all National Research Council nutrient recommended allowances (RA) for adult animals. Compared with RAs, concentrations of crude protein or at least 1 amino acid were low in 30 of 39 (76.9%) canine recipes and 12 of 28 (42.9%) feline recipes. Choline was most commonly below the RA in both canine (37/39 [94.9%]) and feline (23/28 [82.1%]) recipes; selenium (34/39 [87.2%] canine and 9/28 [32.1 %] feline recipes), zinc (24/39 [61.5%] canine and 19/28 [67.9%] feline recipes), and calcium (22/39 [56.4%] canine and 7/28 [25.0%] feline recipes) concentrations were also frequently below recommendations. The median phosphorus concentration in canine and feline recipes was 0.58 and 0.69 g/1,000 kcal, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Many problems with nutritional adequacy were detected, and use of the recipes could result in highly variable and often inappropriate diets. Many recipes would not meet nutritional and clinical needs of individual patients and should be used cautiously for long-term feeding.

Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes during parenteral Nutrition Administration in Dogs and Cats

BACKGROUND Parenteral nutrition (PN) is increasingly used to support hospitalized dogs and cats. Published assessments of outcome are limited. OBJECTIVE Evaluate type and prevalence of complications and risk factors for death and complications in dogs and cats receiving PN. ANIMALS Three hundred and nineteen dogs and 112 cats that received PN at a teaching hospital between 2000 and 2008. METHODS Retrospective case review. Diagnosis, duration of PN administration, concurrent enteral feeding, death, and mechanical, septic, and metabolic complications were abstracted from medical records. Association of each parameter with complications and death was analyzed by binary logistic regression. RESULTS Pancreatitis was the most common diagnosis (109/319 dogs, 34/112 cats), and 137/319 dogs and 51/112 cats died. Dogs and cats received 113 ± 40% and 103 ± 32% of resting energy requirement, respectively. Mechanical (81/319 dogs, 16/112 cats) and septic (20/319 dogs, 6/112 cats) complications were not associated with death (P > .05). Hyperglycemia was the most common metabolic complication (96/158 dogs, 31/37 cats). Hypercreatininemia in dogs (8/79) was the only complication associated with death (P < .01). Chronic kidney disease in dogs, hepatic lipidosis in cats, and longer duration of inadequate caloric intake before PN in both species were negatively associated with survival (P < .05). Factors positively associated with survival included longer duration of PN administration in both species, enteral feeding in cats with any disease, and enteral feeding in dogs with respiratory disease (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE PN can be effectively used to provide the energy requirements of most critically ill dogs and cats. Most complications accompanying PN administration do not affect survival.

Nutrition of aging dogs.

Aging is a normal process characterized by a variety of physiologic changes. Geriatric dogs are also more likely to be afflicted with certain disease conditions. Both normal and abnormal physiologic changes associated with aging in the dog may be amenable to nutritional intervention. Specific alterations in nutrients or in dietary characteristics can be beneficial; however, these are best done in the context of an individualized nutritional assessment and monitoring paradigm.

Reversible Encephalopathy Secondary to Thiamine Deficiency in 3 Cats Ingesting Commercial Diets

A 14-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was examined because of an acute onset of vomiting, inappetence, and ataxia in all 4 limbs of 2 days duration. There was no history of any exposure to known toxins or trauma and the cat had no medical problems before this examination. The cat was fed a diet of commercially available but unbalanced canned cat food (beef, turkey, or chicken based) mixed with a dry cat food formulated for feline maintenance (chicken based) for the previous 9 months. The CBC and serum biochemistry profile did not reveal important abnormalities. The cat was 5% dehydrated, in poor body condition score (BCS 2/9), and the rectal temperature was 97.01F (36.11C). The cat was moderately obtunded, weakly ambulatory, tetraparetic with ataxia in all 4 limbs, and had a wide-based stance. Proprioceptive positioning was absent in all 4 limbs. Menace response was inconsistent in both eyes. Fundic examination, thoracic radiographs, and abdominal ultrasound did not reveal abnormalities. The neuroanatomical localization was multifocal intracranial disease. The cat had a generalized seizure the day after initial examination and was treated with diazepam (1.6mg/kg IV once) followed by phenobarbital (5mg/kg IV q12h). The cat became severely obtunded, had an absent menace in both eyes, and was nonambulatory; the phenobarbital dosage was reduced to 3mg/kg IV q12h and dexamethasone sodium phosphate was administered at 0.1mg/kg IV q24h. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain followed by cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and analysis was done on the 3rd day of hospitalization. MR imaging revealed bilaterally symmetrical well-demarcated hyperintense lesions on T2weighted (T2W), T2 , and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images involving the cerebral cortex (parietal, occipital, hippocampal lobe), the subcortical white matter, thalamus, tectum, dorsal, and ventral medulla. There was enhancement of the cerebral cortical lesions as well as faint enhancement of the thalamic and dorsal medullary lesions after IV administration of contrast (Fig 1). Analysis of CSF collected from the cisterna magna revealed a mildly increased protein concentration (29mg/dL; N o 25mg/dL). The MR and CSF findings were most consistent with a metabolic or toxic encephalopathy. Another potential but much less likely differential for the bilateral symmetrical lesions on MRI involving the cerebrum and brain stem was a neurodegenerative disorder such as a mitochondrial encephalopathy. Approximately 3mL of whole blood was collected in sodium heparin tubes and then immediately transferred to an amber transport tube to protect the sample from light for thiamine analysis. The specimen was frozen at 201 overnight and then dispatched by courier on ice packs to keep the specimens frozen. Whole blood thiamine concentration determined via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was 1.0 mg/dL, whereas thiamine concentrations in 3 healthy control cats on a complete and balanced diet were 4.2, 4.3, and 5.6 mg/dL. Thiamine concentrations were determined in the 3 healthy cats because reference ranges are currently not available for healthy cats. The cat was treated with 100mg thiamine administered IM q24h. Phenobarbital was continued and lactated Ringer’s solution (LRS) was administered IV. The cat was neurologically stable after 2 days, but remained obtunded. The phenobarbital dose was reduced to 1.5mg/kg IV q12h for an additional 3 days and the cat was administered thiamine (100mg PO q24h) when it was eating and drinking on day 5. The cat was discharged on day 8 on PO administered thiamine and a balanced commercial diet that had passed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding trials for all life stages. Repeat examination 10 days after discharge revealed mild obtundation and mild generalized ataxia with decreased proprioceptive positioning in all 4 limbs. Thiamine supplementation was discontinued and the cat was weaned off phenobarbital over 2 weeks. The cat was clinically normal at repeat examination 4 months after From the Department ofMedicine and Epidemiology (Marks), the Department of Surgery and Radiological Sciences (Vernau, Dickinson), and the Department of Molecular Biosciences (Larsen, Fascetti), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA; and Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, CA (Lipsitz, Draper). Dr Draper is presently affiliated with University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32610. Corresponding author: S. Marks, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616; e-mail: slmarks@ ucdavis.edu. Submitted December 20, 2010; Revised April 8, 2011; Accepted May 6, 2011. Copyright r 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0747.x Abbreviations:

Scope of the Problem and Perception by Owners and Veterinarians

Obesity is a common disease of modern dogs and cats. Dog and cat owners often do not realize their animal is affected. Some pet owners are skeptical of the diagnosis or rationalize the overweight condition of their pets. Animal-related factors associated with obesity in dogs and cats include breed, neuter status, age, and gender, whereas owner-related factors include diet choice, feeding method, and provision of exercise. Owner characteristics, such as age and income, are also potential risk factors for pet obesity. Identifying such risk factors for both animals and owners may help provide targets for prevention or interventional tools.

Elemental Content of Calcium Oxalate Stones from a Canine Model of Urinary Stone Disease

One of the most common types of urinary stones formed in humans and some other mammals is composed of calcium oxalate in ordered hydrated crystals. Many studies have reported a range of metals other than calcium in human stones, but few have looked at stones from animal models such as the dog. Therefore, we determined the elemental profile of canine calcium oxalate urinary stones and compared it to reported values from human stones. The content of 19 elements spanning 7-orders of magnitude was quantified in calcium oxalate stones from 53 dogs. The elemental profile of the canine stones was highly overlapping with human stones, indicating similar inorganic composition. Correlation and cluster analysis was then performed on the elemental profile from canine stones to evaluate associations between the elements and test for potential subgrouping based on elemental content. No correlations were observed with the most abundant metal calcium. However, magnesium and sulfur content correlated with the mineral hydration form, while phosphorous and zinc content correlated with the neuter status of the dog. Inter-elemental correlation analysis indicated strong associations between barium, phosphorous, and zinc content. Additionally, cluster analysis revealed subgroups within the stones that were also based primarily on barium, phosphorous, and zinc. These data support the use of the dog as a model to study the effects of trace metal homeostasis in urinary stone disease.

Assessment of protein and amino acid concentrations and labeling adequacy of commercial vegetarian diets formulated for dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE To determine measured crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) concentrations and assess labeling adequacy of vegetarian diets formulated for dogs and cats. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE 13 dry and 11 canned vegetarian diets for dogs and cats. PROCEDURES Concentrations of CP and AAs were determined for each diet. Values were compared with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Product labels were assessed for compliance with AAFCO regulations. RESULTS CP concentration (dry-matter basis) ranged from 19.2% to 40.3% (median, 29.8%). Minimum CP concentrations for the specified species and life stage were met by 23 diets; the remaining diet passed appropriate AAFCO feeding trials. Six diets did not meet all AA minimums, compared with the AAFCO nutrient profiles. Of these 6 diets, 1 was below AAFCO minimum requirements in 4 AAs (leucine, methionine, methionine-cystine, and taurine), 2 were below in 3 AAs (methionine, methionine-cystine, and taurine), 2 were below in 2 AAs (lysine and tryptophan), and 1 was below in 1 AA (tryptophan). Only 3 and 8 diets (with and without a statement of calorie content as a requirement, respectively) were compliant with all pet food label regulations established by the AAFCO. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Most diets assessed in this study were not compliant with AAFCO labeling regulations, and there were concerns regarding adequacy of AA content. Manufacturers should ensure regulatory compliance and nutritional adequacy of all diets, and pets fed commercially available vegetarian diets should be monitored and assessed routinely.

Nutritional management of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs

JAVMA, Vol 245, No. 5, September 1, 2014 I epilepsy is a condition defined by chronic, nonprogressive, recurrent seizures not attributable to other specific neurologic abnormalities. Several nutritional strategies have been proposed to help control seizures in epileptic canine patients; however, research supporting these nutritional strategies is often lacking. Epileptic dogs may also have concurrent diseases or be at risk of complications caused by medications; these factors can be addressed by use of a comprehensive nutritional management plan. In addition, the effect of nutrient-drug interactions as well as the impacts of body composition and dietary consistency on the pharmacokinetics of commonly used therapeutic compounds should be considered.

Evaluation of fiber concentration in dry and canned commercial diets formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages of dogs by use of crude fiber and total dietary fiber methods

OBJECTIVE To assess differences among reported maximum crude fiber (CF), measured CF, and measured total dietary fiber (TDF) concentrations, and determine fiber composition in dry and canned nontherapeutic diets formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages of dogs. DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study. SAMPLE Dry (n = 20) and canned (20) nontherapeutic canine diets. PROCEDURES Reported maximum CF concentrations were obtained from product labels. Concentrations of CF and TDF were measured in samples of the diets for comparison. For each diet, percentages of TDF represented by insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) were determined. RESULTS For dry or canned diets, the median reported maximum CF concentration was significantly greater than the median measured value. Measured CF concentration was significantly lower than measured TDF concentration for all diets. Median percentage of TDF (dry-matter basis) in dry and canned diets was 10.3% and 6.5%, respectively (overall range, 3.9% to 25.8%). Fiber composition in dry and canned diets differed; median percentage of TDF provided by IDF (dry-matter basis) was 83.4% in dry diets and 63.6% in canned diets. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Among the evaluated diets, measured CF concentration underrepresented measured TDF concentration. Diets provided a wide range of TDF concentration, and proportions of IDF and SDF were variable. In the absence of information regarding TDF concentration, neither reported maximum nor measured CF concentration appears to be a particularly reliable indicator of fiber concentration and composition of a given canine diet.