Influence of cellulose fibre length on faecal quality, mineral excretion and nutrient digestibility in cat.

In dogs, faeces quality and nutrients digestibility were affected by different types of cellulose (Wichert et al., 2002). In this study, it was investigated whether there are comparable effects of cellulose type in cats. Seven adult, healthy cats were fed a moist commercial complete cat food with three different cellulose type added at a level of 4% for a 1 week period. Faeces quality was between 1 and 3 on the scale used from 1 to 5. The addition of long fibre cellulose resulted in significantly firmer faeces. Addition of cellulose decreased the digestibility of dry matter and energy, whereas the impact on protein and fat digestibility was not significant. The type of cellulose affected faecal bulk and faecal water excretion. Faecal excretion of sodium and potassium was exponentially correlated to faecal water, faecal bulk and to a lesser extent to faecal dry matter excretion. Faecal calcium, magnesium and phosphorus excretion showed an exponential correlation to faecal dry matter excretion. A weaker correlation existed in all three elements to faecal bulk, whereas the effect of faecal water excretion was small. Results suggest a remarkable likeness between cats and dogs with regard to the digestive physiology of major minerals.

Essential fatty acids supplementation in different-stage atopic dogs fed on a controlled diet.

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation in different-stages atopic dogs fed on a controlled diet. Twenty-two non-seasonal atopic dogs of different breeds and ages were included in the 2-month trial. All the patients were given an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation [17 mg/kg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 5 mg/kg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 35 mg/kg gammalinolenic acid (GLA)], the global (diet + supplementation) omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was 5.5-1. Two groups of dogs were considered: group A 'pre-immunotherapy' (15 cases) included dogs with early stages atopy, which had not been submitted to any treatment yet; group B 'post-immunotherapy' (seven cases) included dogs with chronic atopy immunotherapy non-responsive. Clinical evaluations were performed at the beginning, on day 30 and at the end of the trial. Blood serum fatty acids profile was determined at the beginning and at the end of the study. Better clinical results were obtained in group A, a great difference was found between the two groups on pruritus score. Serum arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly lower at the end of the trial in group A while GLA was significantly higher in group B. We hypothesized that different-stages atopic dogs could have different response to EFA supplementation, maybe because of a different fatty acids metabolism. Early stages cases seem to be more responsive to EFA supplementation.

Preliminary study on the feeding habits of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the western Alps.

Roe deer feeding habits were studied in the western Alps during the summer season using the faecal analysis method. The diet of cattle grazing in the same area was also investigated and the trophical niche overlap between the two species was determined. The roe deer diet was found very variable and mostly composed of dicotyledons, with Leguminosae and Cistaceae as prevalent species. Monocotyledons, mainly represented by Graminaceae, were consumed to a lesser extent. A significant preference was observed for Cistaceae and other dicotyledons whereas a significant refuse was observed for Graminaceae and Asteraceae. These data confirmed the roe deer's behaviour to select food with a better nutritive value. Despite the differences between the cattle and roe deer's diets, the trophical niche overlap was quite high. This can be explained by the homogeneity of the plants covering the whole area which probably limited food selection by the roe deer.

[Quantity and frequency of pesticides in forage and animal foodstuffs in use in Italy].

The results of analytical investigations on pesticide residues in the forages and foodstuffs most commonly used in Italy are described. Examination of 9,056 samples, selected at random during the period spring 1970 to autumn 1974, showed that 17 pesticide residues could be identified by the gas chromatographic technique employed and described, with quite significant mean total concentrations. These residues, although not reaching levels to cause problems of acute toxicity, can upset the symbiosis balance in the alimentary tract and reduce the economic results from farm animals.