THE NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF THE DIET OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) IS BETTER ASSESSED RELATIVE TO METABOLIZABLE ENERGY THAN DRY MATTER.

Nutrient concentrations in a diet can be expressed either "as fed," relative to dry matter (DM), or relative to metabolizable energy (ME). Most published literature evaluates the diet of dolphins by comparing nutrient content relative to DM. Nevertheless, ME requirements, not DM, determine how much food dolphins need to maintain their body condition. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate why it is important to calculate the ME content of fish fed to dolphins and compare nutrient concentrations in dolphin diets relative to ME, not DM. Two studies that compared the nutrient composition of fish species on a DM basis were reevaluated. The ME content of each fish species was calculated and found to vary widely among species, from 0.94 to 1.58 Mcal/kg as fed. Water, mineral, and fat concentrations relative to ME also varied markedly among fish species. To demonstrate the magnitude of nutrient content differences between fish, the percent change in nutrient concentration for each species was calculated relative to herring. The percent changes for DM and ME analyses were then compared. Percent change in nutrient concentration was either over- or underestimated on a DM basis when compared with the percent change on an ME basis. Notable discrepancies were evident among important nutrients, such as crude protein, water, and sodium. Caretakers of managed dolphins must account for differences in energy density when deciding how much to feed and assessing the nutrient composition of the diet.

Nutritional Management of Cats and Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus.

This article reviews the nutritional assessment and management of diabetic dogs and cats. It discusses how to determine appropriate nutritional goals for individual patients, including comorbid patients with diabetes. Considerations for macronutrient and micronutrient modifications will be reviewed.

Correction: Turner et al. Steatitis in Cold-Stunned Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempii). Animals 2021, 11, 898.

In the original publication [...].

Challenges in developing nutrient guidelines for companion animals.

The purpose of the present review is to highlight some of the challenges and issues in developing nutritional guidelines for companion animals, and to provide some insights that may influence their future direction. For this purpose, we have chosen to provide a brief historical review of the development of dog and cat nutrient guidelines, and an analysis of current recommendations and of key institutions and bodies (notably the National Research Council) that are influential in defining nutrient guidelines for companion animals. In addition, we have also included a review of current approaches for defining nutritional guidelines for humans and farm animal livestock, as they provide differing perspectives and insights that may be instructive for the future development of nutritional guidelines for companion animals.

Water content of faeces is higher in the afternoon than in the morning in morning-fed dogs fed diets containing texturised vegetable protein from soya.

Faecal moisture content can determine whether faeces appear soft or firm, and faecal character can influence whether owners are satisfied with a dog food. In a previous study, dogs appeared to produce softer faeces after noon. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether time of defecation affected canine faecal water content. A total of eight hound dogs were fed one of four canned diets as a single meal each morning for 1 week per diet in a Latin square design. All four diets contained approximately 77 % moisture and, on a DM basis, 24 MJ/kg gross energy, 23 % crude protein, 32 % crude fat, 31 % N-free extract and 1 % crude fibre. The proportion of dietary protein from soya-derived texturised vegetable protein (TVP):beef was 0:100, 14:86, 29:71 and 57:43, respectively. Soya carbohydrate partially replaced maize starch as TVP increased. Faeces were collected by direct catch during the sixth morning and afternoon of each diet period. Mean faecal moisture content was greater in the afternoon than in the morning (79 v. 71 %; P = 0.01) and increased with dietary TVP (P ≤ 0.0001), and there was an interaction between time of day and percentage TVP (P = 0.003). Faecal moisture content differed from morning to afternoon only with TVP in the diet. Faecal wet weight was similar from morning to afternoon. This suggests that time of day and presence of TVP from soya should be taken into account when evaluating the effect of a diet on faecal form and moisture content in dogs fed once daily.

Evaluation of the secretory response to endogenous and exogenous prostaglandins in mucosa from the proximal and distal portions of the colon of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare secretory responses to prostaglandin (PG) E(2) in mucosa obtained from the proximal and distal portions of the colon of dogs. SAMPLE: Colonic mucosa from cadavers of 18 clinically normal adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Short-circuit current (I(SC)) and maximum change in I(SC) (ΔI(sc)) in response to administration of 1µM PGE(2) were measured across mucosa obtained from the proximal and distal portions of the colon. Responses were evaluated in mucosa (n = 6 dogs) incubated in Ussing chambers with or without 1 mM amiloride or without chloride in the Ringer's bathing solution. Responses were also evaluated in mucosa (n = 9 dogs) incubated with or without pretreatment with 1 µM indomethacin, with or without amiloride in the subsequent bathing solution. Histologic changes in mucosa from 3 dogs were assessed over time. RESULTS: I(SC) and ΔI(SC) were significantly reduced when chloride was removed from, but not when amiloride was added to, the bathing solution and were significantly reduced after pretreatment with indomethacin. The ΔI(SC) was significantly greater in mucosa from the distal portion of the colon than in the proximal portion of the colon. Histologic changes after incubation for 3 hours were minimal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: I(SC) and ΔI(SC) resulted from electrogenic chloride secretion. Chloride secretion was reduced when release of PGs was prevented by indomethacin and was induced by administration of PGE(2). Chloride secretion in response to PGE(2) was greater in mucosa from the distal portion of the colon than in mucosa from the proximal portion of the colon.

Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma Associated with Arterial Thromboembolism in a Cat.

A 14-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented for acute monoparesis with physical exam findings and biochemical data supportive of a distal arterial thromboembolism. Thoracic radiographs revealed an alveolar pattern in the right middle lung lobe and multifocal nodules in other lung lobes. A pulmonary mass was found on necropsy, which was composed of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, confirmed with cytokeratin and vimentin immunohistochemistry. Using the World Health Organization classification scheme for mixed pulmonary tumors, this tumor would be characterized as a pleomorphic squamous cell carcinoma under the umbrella term of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. The World Health Organization classification of mixed pulmonary tumors and its application to previously reported mixed pulmonary tumors in companion animals is discussed. This is the first reported case of this tumor type in a cat, as well as the first report of this tumor type associated with an arterial thromboembolism in any veterinary species.

Effects of a flotation vest and water flow rate on limb kinematics of Siberian Huskies swimming against a current.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a flotation vest (FV) and water flow rate (WFR) on limb kinematics of dogs swimming against a current. ANIMALS: 7 (1 male and 6 female) healthy adult Siberian Huskies. PROCEDURES: Dogs were habituated to swim with and without an FV beside an investigator in a continuous-flow pool against WFRs up to 2.9 km/h. During each of 4 experimental sessions in a repeated-measures study, markers were wrapped around the right carpus and tarsus, and a video was recorded while each dog swam with or without an FV for about 2 minutes at each of 7 WFRs between 0 and 2.9 km/h when the WFR was incrementally decreased or increased. Motion tracking software was used to measure stroke excursion and frequency. RESULTS: Stroke excursion varied more than frequency among all dogs and in response to changes in experimental conditions. The male dog and 1 female dog were unable to complete the study. For the remaining 5 dogs across all experimental conditions, mean tarsus excursion was 30% that of the carpus. Mean total excursion (sum of the excursion-frequency products for the carpus and tarsus) decreased when an FV was worn and increased with WFR by 69% and 19% when WFR was incrementally increased and decreased, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, range of motion during swimming was greater for the carpus than tarsus, when an FV was not worn, and increased more with WFR when WFR was incrementally increased. Those factors should be considered during swimming-based rehabilitation.

Steatitis in Cold-Stunned Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempii).

The pathogenesis of steatitis that infrequently occurs in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (KRT; Lepidochelys kempii) has been undetermined. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical (n = 23) and histologic findings (n = 11) in cold-stunned KRT, and to compare plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol (vitamin E), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the TBARS to vitamin E (T/E) ratio (an assessment of oxidative stress) between cold-stunned KRT with clinically and/or histologically confirmed steatitis (n = 10) and free-ranging KRT (n = 9). None of the cold-stunned turtles had clinically detectable steatitis at admission, and the median number of days to diagnosis of steatitis was 71 (range 33­469). Histologic findings of affected adipose tissue included heterophilic (n = 9) and/or histiocytic (n = 5) steatitis, fat necrosis (n = 7), myonecrosis (n = 2), and intralesional bacteria (n = 6). Cold-stunned KRT had significantly lower plasma vitamin E concentrations (median = 3.5 nmol/g), lower plasma TBARS concentrations (median = 1.6 nmol/g), and higher T/E ratios (median = 0.50), than controls (62.3 nmol/g; 2.1 nmol/g; 0.03, respectively). These results suggest a multifactorial etiology for the development of steatitis in KRT during rehabilitation, including tissue injury, septicemia, and various factors resulting in imbalances of anti-/oxidative status. By highlighting the need to provide more effective vitamin E supplementation, and the need to re-assess specific components of the diet, this study may lead to reduced incidence and improved medical management of steatitis in cold-stunned sea turtles.

Proximate nutrient analyses of four species of submerged aquatic vegetation consumed by Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) compared to romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia).

Free-ranging Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) consume a variety of sea grasses and algae. This study compared the dry matter (DM) content, proximate nutrients (crude protein [CP], ether-extracted crude fat [EE], nonfiber carbohydrate [NFC], and ash), and the calculated digestible energy (DE) of sea grasses (Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, and Syringodium filiforme) collected in spring, summer, and winter, and an alga (Chara sp.) with those of romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia). Neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), acid-detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin (L) measured after ash-extraction were also compared. Results of statistical tests (C = 0.01) revealed DM content was higher in aquatic vegetation than in lettuce (P = 0.0001), but NDF and ADF were up to threefold greater, EE (P = 0.00001) and CP (P = 0.00001) were 2-9 times less, and NFC (P = 0.0001) was 2-6 times lower in sea grass than in lettuce, on a DM basis. Chara was lower in NDF, ADF, L, EE, CP, and NFC relative to lettuce on a DM basis. Ash content (DM basis) was higher (P = 0.0001), and DE was 2-6 times lower in aquatic vegetation than in lettuce. Sea grass rhizomes had lower L and higher ash contents (DM basis) than sea grass leaves. Based on the nutrient analyses, romaine lettuce and sea grasses are not equivalent forages, which suggests that the current diet of captive Florida manatees should be reassessed.

Comparison of the guaranteed analysis with the measured nutrient composition of commercial pet foods.

OBJECTIVE: To compare guaranteed and measured concentrations of nutrients in commercial pet foods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Annual inspection reports of pet food analyses from 5 states. PROCEDURES: Guaranteed and measured concentrations of crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude fiber (CFb), moisture, and ash in pet foods were compared. The concentration difference for each nutrient was compared among types of food, target species, target life stages, manufacturers, and laboratories. RESULTS: The guaranteed and measured concentrations of nutrients were significantly different. For all foods, mean concentration differences were as follows: CP, 1.5%; CF, 1.0%; CFb, -0.7%; moisture, -4.0%; and ash, -0.5%. Crude protein difference for treats was significantly larger than differences for dry and canned foods. Crude fat difference for dry foods was significantly less than differences for canned foods and treats. Crude fiber and moisture differences for canned foods were significantly less than the corresponding differences for dry foods and treats. Only CFb differences differed among target species, life stages, manufacturers, or laboratories. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Addition of 1.5% and 1% to the guaranteed minimums for CP and CF, respectively; subtraction of 0.7%, 4%, and 0.5% from the guaranteed maximums for CFb, moisture, and ash, respectively; and addition of 0.23 kcal/g to the as-fed metabolizable energy value calculated by use of modified Atwater factors from guaranteed analyses provides a more accurate estimate of the nutrient and metabolizable energy content of commercial pet foods. Nevertheless, the actual composition of a food should be determined whenever possible.

Endobronchial polyp derived from a myxosarcoma in the lung of a dog.

An endobronchial polyp was visible radiographically and bronchoscopically in an 11-year-old, mixed-breed dog with a persistent cough. The polyp was removed by traction. Initial histological examination suggested it was a myxomatous fibroma. The cough resolved but recurred with polyp regrowth. Two additional lung masses became visible radiographically. The polyp was removed twice more at 6-month intervals. Euthanasia was performed 15 months after first presentation when coughing recurred soon after the final bronchoscopy. Histological examination revealed that the mass was a myxomatous sarcoma. The lung contained two other unrelated tumors: a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and a carcinoma of unknown origin.

Effect of mild restriction of food intake on the speed of racing Greyhounds.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mild restriction of food intake affects clinicopathologic variables, body composition, and performance of dogs undertaking intense sprint exercise. ANIMALS: 9 trained healthy adult Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were offered food free choice once daily for 9 weeks until body weight and food intake stabilized. Dogs were then randomly assigned to be fed either 85% or 100% of this quantity of food in a crossover study (duration of each diet treatment period, 9 weeks). Dogs raced a distance of 500 m twice weekly. Clinicopathologic variables were assessed before and 5 minutes after racing; food intake, weight, body composition, body condition score, and race times were compared at the end of each diet period. RESULTS: Compared with values associated with unrestricted access to food, there were significant decreases in mean body weight (by 6%) and median body condition score (from 3.75 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale) and the mean speed of the dogs was significantly faster (by 0.7 km/h) when food intake was restricted. Body composition and most clinicopathologic variables were unaffected by diet treatment, but dogs given restricted access to food had slightly fewer neutrophils, compared with values determined when food intake was unrestricted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that the common practice among Greyhound trainers of mildly restricting food intake of racing dogs to reduce body weight does improve sprint performance. A body condition score of approximately 3.5 on a 9-point scale is normal for a trained Greyhound in racing condition.

Short-term compatibility of furosemide with crystalloid solutions.

Parenteral veterinary furosemide is a 50-mg/mL solution with a pH of 8.0-9.3. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a commonly used veterinary formulation of 50 mg/mL of furosemide solution could be diluted in vitro without precipitation. Furosemide 50 mg/mL was diluted to concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/mL with 5% dextrose in water (D5W), 0.9% saline, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), and sterile water. Acidic sterile water and basic sterile water solutions were made by the addition of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, respectively, for use as controls to assess the effect of pH extremes for each concentration. After furosemide dilution, the final pH of each sample was measured, and samples were grossly and microscopically examined for clarity and crystal formation immediately and 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours after dilution. Gross precipitation and microscopic crystals were immediately observed in the acidic controls. Solutions of 5 mg/mL in LRS and 0.9% saline became slightly cloudy immediately, but no crystals were observed microscopically for 8 hours. Solutions of 10 mg/mL in D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, and sterile water and solutions of 5 mg/mL in D5W and sterile water and the basic control were grossly clear, and no microscopic crystals were observed for 8 hours. On the basis of the results obtained in this in vitro investigation, this veterinary formulation of furosemide 50 mg/mL can be diluted without precipitation to a concentration of 10 mg/mL with D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, or sterile water and to 5 mg/mL with D5W or sterile water and held for 8 hours.

Intermittent bolus injection versus continuous infusion of furosemide in normal adult greyhound dogs.

Several studies in human subjects have demonstrated greater diuresis with constant rate infusion (CRI) furosemide than intermittent bolus (IB) furosemide. This study was conducted to compare the diuretic efficacy of the same total dose of IB furosemide and CRI furosemide in 6 healthy, adult Greyhound dogs in a randomized crossover design with a 2-week washout period between treatments. For IB administration, dogs received 3 mg/kg at 0 and 4 hours. For CRI administration, dogs received a 0.66 mg/kg loading dose followed by 0.66 mg/kg/h over 8 hours. The same volume of fluid was administered for both methods. Urine output was quantified hourly. Urine electrolyte concentrations, urine specific gravity (USG), packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP), serum electrolyte concentrations, total carbon dioxide (TCO2), serum creatinine (sCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined every 2 hours. Urine production and water intake were greater (P < or = 0.05) for CRI than IB. Urine sodium and calcium losses were greater (P < 0.05) and urine potassium loss was less (P = 0.03) for CRI than IB, but there was no evidence of a difference between methods for urine magnesium and chloride losses. Serum chloride concentration was less (P < 0.001), sCr concentration greater (P = 0.04). TP greater (P = 0.01), and PCV greater (P = 0.003) for CRI than IB. No differences in USG, TCO2, BUN, or serum potassium, sodium, and magnesium concentrations were detected between methods. The same total dose of CRI furosemide resulted in more diuresis, natriuresis, and calciuresis and less kaliuresis than IB furosemide in these normal Greyhound dogs over 8 hours, suggesting that furosemide is a more effective diuretic when administered by CRI than by IB.

Hematologic differences between Dachshunds and mixed breed dogs.

BACKGROUND: Healthy Dachshunds, like Greyhounds, are reported to have a higher HCT than other dog breeds; however, there appears to be no objective information to support this observation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether RBC counts, indices, and total and differential WBC counts differ between Dachshunds and mixed breed dogs. METHODS: In this retrospective study, CBC data and total solids were compared between 61 healthy Dachshunds and 60 mixed breed dogs that were presented for health check, dental prophylaxis, or neutering to a university and a private clinic. RESULTS: Dachshunds had higher mean PCV (52% vs 50%; P = .047), mean HCT (52% vs 48%; P = .0003), mean RBC count (7.7 × 10(6) /µL vs 7.1 × 10(6) /µL; P = .0004), and mean HGB concentration (18.2 g/dL vs 16.8 g/dL; P = .0003) than mixed breed dogs. There were slight differences in HCT and HGB concentration between clinics (P < .05). There was no evidence of a difference in MCV, MCHC, and total solids between breeds (P > .5). More Dachshunds than mixed breed dogs had RBC variables above the reference interval: 29% vs 2% for HCT (P = .001); 40% vs 7% for HGB concentration (P = .0006); and 26% vs 5% for RBC count (P = .01). There were statistically significant but clinically unimportant differences in differential WBC counts. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with mixed breed dogs, Dachshunds have higher PCV, HCT, RBC count, and HGB concentration. Veterinarians should consider these differences when interpreting CBCs.

Gastrointestinal small-cell lymphoma with gall bladder involvement in a cat.

A 13-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat presented for investigation of decreased appetite and increased serum liver enzyme concentrations. An abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple sessile hyperechoic structures along the luminal aspect of the gall bladder wall and a mildly enlarged liver with hyperechoic nodules. Cholecystectomy was performed and biopsies were obtained by laparotomy. Histopathologic examination with immunohistochemistry was consistent with a diagnosis of small-cell lymphoma of T cells within the gall bladder, liver and small intestine. Clonality testing confirmed the diagnosis. The cat remains clinically stable 23 months after institution of treatment with prednisolone, chlorambucil and ursodeoxycholic acid. This is the first report of small-cell lymphoma in the gall bladder of a cat.

Conference on "Multidisciplinary approaches to nutritional problems". Symposium on "Nutrition and health". Nutritional therapies to improve health: lessons from companion animals.

Companion animals represent an under-utilised resource. The present paper is designed to encourage collaborative studies. Dogs and cats are out-bred animals that are willing to consume a consistent diet for long periods, so are ideal candidates for prospective studies of naturally-occurring disease. In some studies the effect of diet on survival has been substantial. Food restriction, for example, slows the development of osteoarthritis and increases the lifespan of Labrador retrievers by 2 years, protein and P restriction more than doubles the median survival time of dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease and adding n-3 fats and arginine to the diet of dogs with stage 3 lymphoma improves median survival time by one-quarter. Obesity is also very common in both dogs and cats and is also associated with disease as in human subjects. When interpreting these results, however, it is essential to take into account pathophysiological differences among species. Dogs and cats do not display all the characteristics of metabolic disease in human subjects, they metabolise fat well and atherosclerosis and cardiac infarction are uncommon. Such differences should not, however, preclude further study because differences among species often clarify knowledge. Monitoring of disease in companion animals may also provide a surveillance system for the safety of the food supply, as illustrated by recent outbreaks of acute renal failure and liver failure in cats and dogs in the USA caused respectively by melamine and mycotoxin contamination of pet foods.