The effects of torula yeast as a protein source on apparent total tract digestibility, inflammatory markers, and fecal microbiota dysbiosis index in Labrador Retrievers with chronically poor stool quality.

This study examined the effects of varying protein sources on apparent total tract digestibility, inflammatory markers, and fecal microbiota in Labrador Retrievers with historically poor stool quality. Thirty dogs (15 male, 15 female; aged 0.93 to 11.7 yr) with stool quality scores ≤2.5 on a 5-point scale (1 representing liquid stool and 5 representing firm stool) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 nutritionally complete diets with differing protein sources and similar macronutrient profiles: 1) chicken meal (n = 10); 2) 10% brewer's yeast (n = 10); or 3) 10% torula yeast (n = 10). Another 10 dogs (five male, five female) with normal stool quality (scores ranging from 3 to 4) received diet 1 and served as negative control (NC). All dogs were fed diet 1 for 7 days, then provided their assigned treatment diets from days 7 to 37. Daily stool scores and weekly body weights were recorded. On days 7, 21, and 36, blood serum was analyzed for c-reactive protein (CRP), and feces for calgranulin C (S100A12), α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI), calprotectin, and microbiota dysbiosis index. Apparent total tract digestibility was assessed using the indicator method with 2 g titanium dioxide administered via oral capsules. Stool scores were greater in NC (P < 0.01) as designed but not affected by treatment × time interaction (P = 0.64). Body weight was greater (P = 0.01) and CRP lower (P < 0.01) in NC dogs. Dry matter and nitrogen-free extract digestibility did not differ among groups (P ≥ 0.14). Negative controls had greater fat digestibility compared to BY (94.64 ±â€…1.33% vs. 91.65 ±â€…1.25%; P = 0.02). The overall effect of treatment was significant for protein digestibility (P = 0.03), but there were no differences in individual post hoc comparisons (P ≥ 0.07). Treatment did not affect S100A12 or α1-PI (P ≥ 0.44). Calprotectin decreased at a greater rate over time in TY (P < 0.01). The dysbiosis index score for BY and TY fluctuated less over time (P = 0.01). Blautia (P = 0.03) and Clostridium hiranonis (P = 0.05) abundances were reduced in BY and TY. Dogs with chronically poor stool quality experienced reduced body weights and increased serum CRP, but TY numerically increased protein digestibility, altered the microbiome, and reduced fecal calprotectin. Torula yeast is a suitable alternative protein source in extruded canine diets, but further research is needed to understand the long-term potential for improving the plane of nutrition and modulating gut health.

Pet and human populations continue to grow and compete for nutritious, sustainable protein sources. The incorporation of alternative proteins like torula yeast can provide a solution to this problem. Torula yeast also may have additional health benefits like reducing gut inflammation. To test its effects in dogs, we fed Labrador Retrievers with chronically poor stool quality either a control diet with chicken meal, a diet with 10% brewer's yeast, or a diet with 10% torula yeast. We compared their responses to dogs with normal stool quality fed the control diet. Dogs with chronically poor stool quality had lower body weights and increased systemic inflammation compared to those with good stool quality. Calprotectin, a marker of gut inflammation, was reduced more in dogs fed torula yeast than in dogs fed chicken meal. Torula and brewer's yeast also changed the abundance of certain gut bacteria. Torula yeast may be added to dog diets with no negative effects and can alter the gut environment in Labrador Retrievers with chronically poor stool quality.

Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on fecal characteristics, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations of dogs undergoing transport stress.

Previously, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) positively altered fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and immune cell function of adult dogs. Our objective was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of SCFP-supplemented dogs subjected to transport stress. All procedures were approved by the Four Rivers Kennel IACUC prior to experimentation. Thirty-six adult dogs (18 male, 18 female; age: 7.1 ± 0.77 yr; body weight: 28.97 ± 3.67 kg) were randomly assigned to be controls or receive SCFP supplementation (250 mg/dog/d) (N = 18/group) for 11 wk. At that time, fresh fecal samples were collected before and after transport in a hunting dog trailer with individual kennels. The trailer was driven 40 miles round trip for about 45 min. Fecal microbiota data were evaluated using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2, while all other data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of Statistical Analysis System. Effects of treatment, transport, and treatment × transport were tested, with P < 0.05 being considered significant. Transport stress increased fecal indole concentrations and relative abundances of fecal Actinobacteria, Collinsella, Slackia, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium. In contrast, relative abundances of fecal Fusobacteria, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium were reduced by transport. Fecal characteristics, metabolites, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity measures were not affected by diet alone. Several diet × transport interactions were significant, however. Following transport, relative abundance of fecal Turicibacter increased in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but decreased in controls. Following transport, relative abundances of fecal Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Sutterella increased in controls, but not in SCFP-supplemented dogs. In contrast, relative abundances of fecal Firmicutes, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Allobaculum increased and fecal Parabacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium decreased after transport stress in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but not in controls. Our data demonstrate that both transport stress and SCFP alter fecal microbiota in dogs, with transport being the primary cause for shifts. SCFP supplementation may provide benefits to dogs undergoing transport stress, but more research is necessary to determine proper dosages. More research is also necessary to determine if and how transport stress impacts gastrointestinal microbiota and other indicators of health.

The objective of this study was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of dogs supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) and subjected to transport stress. Thirty-six adult dogs were randomly assigned to a control diet or an SCFP-supplemented diet (N = 18 per group) and fed for 11 wk. At that time, a transport stress challenge was conducted. Fresh fecal samples were collected for measurement of general characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites before and after transport stress. Transport stress increased fecal indoles and Actinobacteria, Collinsella, Slackia, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium populations and decreased fecal Fusobacteria, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium populations. Fecal characteristics, metabolites, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity measures were not affected by diet alone, but several diet × transport interactions were significant. Following transport, fecal Turicibacter increased in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but decreased in controls. Following transport, fecal Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Sutterella increased in controls, but not in SCFP-supplemented dogs. Fecal Firmicutes, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Allobaculum increased and fecal Parabacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium decreased after transport stress in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but not in controls. Our data demonstrate that both transport stress and SCFP alter fecal microbiota in dogs. SCFP supplementation may provide benefits to dogs undergoing stress, but proper dosages need to be determined.

Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on fecal characteristics, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations of dogs subjected to exercise challenge.

The objective of this study was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of dogs fed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) and subjected to exercise challenge in untrained and trained states. Thirty-six adult dogs (18 male, 18 female; mean age: 7.1 yr; mean body weight: 29.0 kg) were randomly assigned to control or SCFP-supplemented (250 mg/dog/d) diets and fed for 10 wk. After 3 wk, dogs were given an exercise challenge (6.5 km run), with fresh fecal samples collected pre- and post-challenge. Dogs were then trained by a series of distance-defined running exercise regimens over 7 wk (two 6.4 km runs/wk for 2 wk; two 9.7 km runs/wk for 2 wk; two 12.9 km runs/wk for 2 wk; two 3.2 km runs/wk). Dogs were then given exercise challenge (16 km run) in the trained state, with fresh fecal samples collected pre- and post-challenge. Fecal microbiota data were evaluated using QIIME2, while all other data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS. Effects of diet, exercise, and diet*exercise were tested with P < 0.05 considered significant. Exercise challenge reduced fecal pH and ammonia in both treatments, and in untrained and trained dogs. After the exercise challenge in untrained dogs, fecal indole, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were reduced, while acetate and propionate were increased. Following the exercise challenge in trained dogs, fecal scores and butyrate decreased, while isobutyrate and isovalerate increased. SCFP did not affect fecal scores, pH, dry matter, or metabolites, but fecal Clostridium was higher in controls than in SCFP-fed dogs over time. SCFP and exercise challenge had no effect on alpha or beta diversity in untrained dogs. However, the weighted principal coordinate analysis plot revealed clustering of dogs before and after exercise in trained dogs. After exercise challenge, fecal Collinsella, Slackia, Blautia, Ruminococcus, and Catenibacterium were higher and Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Phascolarctobacterium, Fusobacterium, and Sutterella were lower in both untrained and trained dogs. Using qPCR, SCFP increased fecal Turicibacter, and tended to increase fecal Lactobacillus vs. controls. Exercise challenge increased fecal Turicibacter and Blautia in both untrained and trained dogs. Our findings show that exercise and SCFP may affect the fecal microbiota of dogs. Exercise was the primary cause of the shifts, however, with trained dogs having more profound changes than untrained dogs.

The objective of this study was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of dogs fed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) and subjected to exercise challenge in untrained and trained states. Thirty-six adult dogs were randomly assigned to control or SCFP-supplemented (250 mg/d) diets and fed for 10 wk. An exercise challenge was administered while dogs were in an untrained state and a trained state (after 7 wk of an exercise regimen), with fresh fecal samples collected pre- and post-challenge. Exercise challenge reduced fecal pH and ammonia in all dogs. After the exercise challenge in untrained dogs, fecal indole, isobutyrate, and isovalerate concentrations were reduced, while acetate and propionate concentrations were increased. Following exercise challenge in trained dogs, fecal scores and butyrate concentrations decreased, while isobutyrate and isovalerate increased. SCFP reduced fecal Clostridium over time vs. controls. Beta diversity analysis revealed clustering of dogs before and after exercise in trained dogs. After exercise challenge, over 10 bacterial genera were altered in untrained and trained dogs. Our findings show that exercise and SCFP may affect the fecal microbiota of dogs, but exercise was the primary cause of the shifts and trained dogs had more profound changes than untrained dogs.

Impact of supplemented undenatured type II collagen on pain and mobility in healthy Labrador Retrievers during an exercise regimen.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of undenatured type II collagen supplementation on inflammation and pain using gait analysis and industry-accepted pain and mobility questionnaires during an exercise regimen in healthy dogs. Forty healthy Labrador Retrievers (20 male/20 female; range: 5 to 12 yr) were sorted into two groups: undenatured type II collagen group receiving 40 mg UC-II product (10 mg total collagen and ≥3% undenatured type II collagen) and placebo group receiving 40 mg maltodextrin daily by capsule. After 2 wk loading, all dogs began an 11 wk endurance exercise regimen consisting of two weekly runs, starting at 5 km and increasingly incrementally to 8 km, with one final 16 km run. Gait analysis was performed at baseline; before, 24 and 48 h after the first 5 km run; and before, 24 and 48 h after the final 16 km run. Gait analysis was calculated to obtain a Four Rivers Kennel (FRK) Inflammation Index score. Dogs were scored according to the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) and Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) assessments at baseline, before and after the first 5 km run, and before and after the final 16 km run. On the LOAD questionnaire, undenatured type II collagen group had improved "how active is the dog" (P = 0.03) and less "stiffness after a lie down" (P = 0.041) compared with placebo at pre 5 km. Undenatured type II collagen appeared to mitigate the development of pain after exercise compared with placebo, as related to the CPBI assessment. Undenatured type II collagen dogs had lower "pain at worst" pre 5 km (P = 0.021), "pain at least" post 5 km (P = 0.015), "pain at average" post 5 km (P = 0.046), and "pain as it is now" post 16 km (P = 0.006) compared with placebo dogs. Undenatured type II collagen was more effective than placebo at mitigating inflammation on gait analysis per the FRK Inflammation Index. Undenatured type II collagen dogs had a 6.42 lower FRK Inflammation Index score at 24 h post 5 km (P = 0.032) and 6.3 lower score at 24 h post 16 km (P = 0.029), indicating the mitigation of inflammation on gait analysis. When considering the change between timepoints, undenatured type II collagen had a lower increase in FRK Inflammation scores compared with placebo for baseline to pre 5 km (P < 0.001), pre 16 km to 24 h post 16 km (P = 0.028), and pre 16 km to 48 h post 16 km (P = 0.027). Undenatured type II collagen supplemented Labrador Retrievers improved pain assessment variables and improved FRK Inflammation Index on gait analysis.