Guava fibre characterization and effects on digestibility, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability of dry diets for dogs.

The use of fruit fibres as a way of reusing industrial waste is attractive and necessary, increasing the efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. This study characterized guava fibre as a fibrous ingredient and evaluated its effects when included in extruded diets for dogs on nutrient digestibility, faecal traits, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability. Four diets were formulated: CO (control diet, no fibrous ingredients added), GF3 (3% guava fibre), GF6 (6% guava fibre) and GF12 (12% guava fibre). The guava fibre was added to diets in replacement of maize, with small adjustments in the other ingredients to ensure similar contents of protein and fat. The diets were fed to 24 adult Beagle dogs (6 per diet) during 15 days for adaptation followed by 15 days for assessment of digestibility, fermentation end products and gastrointestinal transit time. The palatability of G6 and G12 treatments was evaluated against the CO by the two-pan test. Results were compared by analysis of variance and polynomial contrasts according to the guava fibre inclusion level (p < 0.05). The addition of guava fibre did not change nutrient intake except for the increase on dietary fibre (p < 0.001). Fibre inclusion resulted in a quadratic reduction in total tract apparent digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude energy (p < 0.001), and on the metabolizable energy content of the foods (p < 0.001). Guava fibre addition did not change the faecal concentration of ammonia, lactic acid, faecal pH and branched chain fatty acids but it decreased acetic and propionic acids concentration (p < 0.01). The inclusion of 12% guava fibre did result in a faster transit time (p = 0.046) compared to the control diet. Guava fibre can be characterized as a novel insoluble non-fermentable fibre source that could be safely used in levels up to 12% in canine extruded diets.

Intake of energy, protein, amino acids and minerals by dogs under energy restriction for body weight loss when fed with commercial weight loss diets.

This retrospective study evaluated energy and nutrient intake of dogs in a weight loss programme. Ninety-four obese dogs were divided into three groups: G5-15: from 5% to 15% body weight (BW) loss (n = 55); G155-25: from 15.1% to 25% BW loss (n = 29); and G > 25: more than 25.1% BW loss (n = 10). Five brands of kibble diets designed for weight loss were analysed for crude protein, amino acids, fat, dietary fibre, and minerals. The food metabolizable energy (ME) was estimated (NRC, 2006). Data were compared inside each group using the paired t test and between groups with analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The BW loss (weeks in regimen) was: G5-15, 9.8% ± 2.7% (13.5 ± 5.7 weeks); G15-25, 17.5% ± 2.7% (22.6 ± 11.9 weeks); G > 25, 30.0% ± 2.1% (50.4 ± 17.4% weeks; p < 0.01). The mean weekly BW loss rate was similar between groups (0.8% ± 0.3%; p > 0.05) but was higher during the first (0.96.6% ± 0.5%) than in the second (0.64% ± 0.4%) half of the regimen (p < 0.01). At beginning ME intake for BW loss did not differ (251.6 ± 32.2 kJ/kg0.75 /day), but it was lower for G > 25 in the second half of the regimen (230.3 ± 44.3; p = 0.02). Considering the observed ME intake of each dog, depending on the commercial product, intake below recommended for maintenance was verified for crude protein in 1%-20% of the dogs, methionine in 4%-38% of dogs, methionine plus cystine in 4%-22% of dogs, tryptophan in 7%-93% of dogs, potassium in 2%-85% of dogs and magnesium in 1% up to 95% of dogs. Although the diets presented elevated nutrient concentrations per MJ, due to the reduced energy allowance, the estimated intake of several nutrients was lower than the recommendations, highlighting the importance of changing the formulation perspective, which must prioritize the actual nutrient intake per kg of BW during the energy deficit.

The effects of age and dietary resistant starch on digestibility, fermentation end products in faeces and postprandial glucose and insulin responses of dogs.

The same food formulation processed to obtain two different starch gelatinisations (SG) and resistant starch (RS) contents was evaluated in old and adult dogs, regarding apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, fermentation products in faeces, and postprandial glucose and insulin responses. A diet with corn was ground and extruded in two different ways, obtaining Low RS (2.2 g/kg DM; 99.9% of SG) and High RS (15.3 g/kg DM; 62.6% of SG). Each diet was fed to adults (4.0 ± 0.7 years) or old beagle dogs (11.5 ± 0.4 years) in a 2 (ages) x 2 (RS amounts) factorial arrangement with 8 dogs per food. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance, and postprandial responses by analysis of variance of repeated measurements over time (p < 0.05). Diet × age interaction was observed for protein ATTD, with lower values for old dogs fed High RS than those for the other treatments (p < 0.05). No age or diet effect was verified for the ATTD of other nutrients and faecal score. Faecal moisture and pH were higher for adults than that for old dogs (p < 0.05). The High RS food increased acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations in faeces, regardless of age (p < 0.01). Old dogs presented lower acetate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and higher lactate and ammonia than adults (p < 0.05). Only for old dogs the intake of the High RS food reduced ammonia and increased faecal lactate (p < 0.05). An age × diet interaction was verified for glucose postprandial response, with lower values for old dogs fed High RS food (p < 0.05), while no differences were found for the other treatments. Old dogs had higher postprandial insulin secretion regardless of the diet (p < 0.05), and lower insulin increment at 180 min after the meal when fed the Low RS than when fed the High RS food (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the diet with lower SG and higher RS improved the intestinal microenvironment, with higher butyrate and total SCFA without altering faeces production or score. Old dogs presented less acetate and total SCFA and higher lactate and ammonia in faeces than adults. The High RS food increased lactate and reduced ammonia in faeces of old dogs, with possible positive influences for gut health. Old dogs had higher postprandial insulin secretion than that of adults to maintain blood glucose, and the diet with higher RS content reduced the postprandial glucose response of old dogs.

Effects of different protein sources on fermentation metabolites and nutrient digestibility of brachycephalic dogs.

Benefits to microbial fermentation in the colon and as a consequence less flatulence can be promoted for the health of adult dogs according to the amount and protein source. The present study evaluated different protein sources in dry food for brachycephalic dogs regarding microbial fermentation and nutrient digestibility. Four dry dog foods with similar protein content were formulated for adult maintenance: poultry meal (PM) diet; wheat gluten (WG) diet; PM + WG diet; and PM + WG + hydrolysed protein (HP) diet. Eight French bulldog adult dogs were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design during the 28 d trial. Fresh faeces were collected for assessment of nutrient digestibility and analyses of faecal pH, SCFA, biogenic amines, ammonia and lactate. Means were compared by the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS and by Tukey's test, considering P ≤ 0·05. The animals fed the WG and PM + WG diets showed higher digestibility for DM (P < 0·05), organic matter (P < 0·05), crude protein (P < 0·001) and lower faeces production (P < 0·02) than the PM and PM + WG + HP diets. Feeding diet PM + WG + HP resulted in lower faecal score and pH (P < 0·05) compared with other diets. Concentrations of fermentation metabolites were not statistically significantly different among diets. In conclusion, WG alone or in combination with PM improved protein and DM digestibility. Fermentation products were not affected by protein source.

Starch and fibre intake and glucose postprandial response of dogs / Consumo de amido e fibra e a resposta pós-prandial de glicose de cães

ABSTRACT: Fibre has been studied to reduce the postprandial glucose response of dogs, but the results are inconsistent. Starch intake, however, was not properly considered in the published studies. The effects of starch and fibre intake on the postprandial glucose response were studied in non-obese adult dogs. Cellulose (CEL), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), pea fibre (PE) and sugarcane fibre (SCF) were combined to form six diets with starch contents ranging from 33% to 42%: SCF+CEL and PE+CEL diets, both with high insoluble fibre (IF=22%) and low soluble fibre (SF=2.5%) content; SCF+CMC and PE+CMC diets with high SF (SF=4.5%; IF=19%) content; and CMC and CEL diets with low dietary fibre (14%) content. The diets were fed in two amounts, providing an intake of 9.5g or 12.5g of starch (kg0.75)-1 day-1, totaling 12 treatments. Each diet was fed to six dogs conditioned to consume all of the daily food in 10min. Their plasma glucose levels were measured before and during 480min after food intake. Results of fibre and starch intake and their interactions were compared by repeated measures ANOVA and the Tukey test (P<0.05). Fibre intake did not change the glucose postprandial responses (P>0.05). High-dose starch intake, however, induced a higher glycaemia at 180 and 240min after the meal and a greater maximal glycaemia and greater area under the glucose curve (P<0.05). A range in insoluble and soluble fibre intake does not change postprandial glucose response, and the amount of starch intake is a main factor for the postprandial glucose response of healthy non-obese dogs.

RESUMO: Fibras têm sido estudadas como opção para reduzir a resposta glicêmica pós-prandial de cães, mas os resultados obtidos têm sido inconsistentes. A ingestão de amido, no entanto, não tem sido adequadamente considerada na interpretação dos resultados de algumas dessas pesquisas. O presente estudo investigou, em cães adultos não obesos, os efeitos da ingestão de amido e fibra sobre a resposta pós-prandial. Celulose (CEL), carboximetilcelulose (CMC), fibra de ervilha (PE) e fibra de cana-de-açúcar (SCF) foram combinadas, gerando seis dietas com 33% a 42% de amido: dietas SCF+CEL e PE+CEL com alta fibra insolúvel (IF=22%) e baixa fibra solúvel (SF=2,5%); dietas SCF+CMC e PE+CMC com alta fibra solúvel (SF=4,5%; IF=19%); dietas CMC e CEL como controles baixa fibra (14%). As dietas foram fornecidas aos cães em duas quantidades, resultando na ingestão de 9,5g ou 12,5g de amido (kg0,75)-1 dia-1, gerando um total de 12 tratamentos. Cada tratamento foi fornecido a seis cães, condicionados a ingerir todo o alimento do dia num período de 10min. A glicose plasmática foi medida em jejum e durante 480min após a refeição. Os resultados foram analisados por análise de variância de medidas repetidas, considerando-se os feitos da ingestão de amido e fibra, e suas interações, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). A ingestão de fibra não alterou a resposta pós-prandial de glicose (P>0,05). O consumo da dose elevada de amido, no entanto, resultou em maiores glicemias aos 180 e 240min, maior glicemia máxima e maior área abaixo da curva de glicose (P<0,05). Verificou-se que a quantidade ingerida de amido é mais importante que o consumo de fibra para a resposta glicêmica pós-prandial de cães não obesos.

The Effects of Fiber Inclusion on Pet Food Sensory Characteristics and Palatability.

The objectives of this study were to determine (a) the influence of fiber on the sensory characteristics of dry dog foods; (b) differences of coated and uncoated kibbles for aroma and flavor characteristics; (c) palatability of these dry dog foods; and (d) potential associations between palatability and sensory attributes. A total of eight fiber treatments were manufactured: a control (no fiber addition), guava fiber (3%, 6%, and 12%), sugar cane fiber (9%; large and small particle size), and wheat bran fiber (32%; large and small particle size). The results indicated significant effects of fibers on both flavor and texture properties of the samples. Bitter taste and iron and stale aftertaste were examples of flavor attributes that differed with treatment, with highest intensity observed for 12% guava fiber and small particle size sugar cane fiber treatments. Fracturability and initial crispness attributes were lowest for the sugar cane fiber treatments. Flavor of all treatments changed after coating with a palatant, increasing in toasted, brothy, and grainy attributes. The coating also had a masking effect on aroma attributes such as stale, flavor attributes such as iron and bitter taste, and appearance attributes such as porosity. Palatability testing results indicated that the control treatment was preferred over the sugar cane or the wheat bran treatment. The treatment with large sugarcane fiber particles was preferred over the treatment with small particles, while both of the wheat bran treatments were eaten at a similar level. Descriptive sensory analysis data, especially textural attributes, were useful in pinpointing the underlying characteristics and were considered to be reasons that may influence palatability of dog foods manufactured with inclusion of different fibers.

Demanda para intervenção fonoaudiológica em uma unidade neonatal de um hospital-escola / Demand for speech therapy intervention in neonatal unit of a teaching hospital

OBJETIVO: caracterizar a demanda e intervenção fonoaudiológicas realizadas em recém-nascidos e lactentes que apresentaram alterações no processo de alimentação por via oral, na Unidade Neonatal de um hospital-escola de caráter público. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e de corte transversal. Foi realizada a coleta de dados por meio de consulta a todos os prontuários fonoaudiológicos de recém-nascidos e lactentes internados no período entre março de 2008 e fevereiro de 2010, que receberam ao menos uma avaliação/intervenção fonoaudiológica. RESULTADOS: foram atendidos nesse período 205 recém-nascidos e lactentes internados. Destes sujeitos, 104 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão na pesquisa. A população predominante foi do sexo masculino, composta de recém-nascidos pré-termo, adequados para idade gestacional, baixo peso ao nascimento, em média com 36 semanas de idade gestacional, com diagnósticos mais frequentes de distúrbio respiratório, síndrome ictérica e/ou distúrbio cardiovascular. Dentre os motivos de encaminhamento para avaliação fonoaudiológica predominaram: alteração no comportamento motor oral, avaliação da prontidão para alimentação por via oral e dificuldades no uso do copo. As avaliações foram solicitadas, em sua maioria, por médicos residentes quando os recém-nascidos estavam, em média, com 28 dias de vida. Verificou-se ampliação dos critérios de encaminhamento da equipe para avaliação fonoaudiológica, quando comparados aos critérios descritos na literatura. CONCLUSÕES: esse trabalho permitiu caracterizar a população, a demanda e a intervenção fonoaudiológicas em uma unidade neonatal. Verificou-se que a maioria dos recém-nascidos e lactentes ainda recebe alimentação por via oral sem avaliação fonoaudiológica prévia, o que pode gerar situações de risco para uma alimentação segura e eficiente.

PURPOSE: the aim of the present study was to characterize the demand for speech therapy among newborns with oral feeding difficulties at a neonatal unit of a public teaching school. METHODS: a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out using data obtained from all charts of newborns interned between March 2008 and February 2010 who received at least one speech/hearing evaluation/intervention. RESULTS: two hundred five newborns were treated in the study period, 104 of whom met the inclusion criteria. The sample was predominantly male, composed of premature newborns with adequate gestational age (mean: 36 weeks) and low birth weight. The most frequent diagnoses were respiratory disorder, jaundice and cardiovascular disorder. The following were the predominant reasons for requesting an evaluation by a speech therapist: abnormal oral motor behavior, evaluation of readiness for oral feeding and difficulties using a cup. Most evaluations were requested by residents when the newborns had a mean of 28 days of life. A broader set of criteria was used by the team requesting a speech therapy evaluation in comparison to criteria described in the literature. CONCLUSION: the majority of newborns receive oral feeding without a prior evaluation by a speech therapist, which can lead to situations of risk with regard to safe, efficient feeding.

Faecal IgA concentration is influenced by age in dogs.

Data comparing age-related alterations in faecal IgA concentrations of dogs are not available in the literature. The present study aimed to compare the faecal concentrations of IgA in puppies, mature and senior dogs. A total of twenty-four beagle dogs were used, including eight puppies (5 months old, four females and four males), eight mature (4.6 years old, eight males) and eight senior dogs (10.6 years old, three males and five females). Fresh faecal samples were collected from each dog for three consecutive days and pooled by animal. After saline extraction, IgA content was measured by ELISA. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA, and means were compared with Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Results showed that puppies have lower faecal IgA concentrations than mature dogs (P < 0.05); senior animals presented intermediary results. The reduced faecal IgA concentration in puppies is consistent with the reduced serum and salivary IgA concentrations reported previously, suggesting a reduced mucosal immunity in this age group. Although some studies have found an increased serum IgA concentration in older dogs, this may differ from the intestinal secretion of IgA, which appears to be lower in some senior animals (four of the eight dogs studied).