Reduction of active Fel d1 from cats using an antiFel d1 egg IgY antibody.

BACKGROUND: Fel d1 is the most important allergen from cats. Fel d1 is produced primarily in saliva and spread to the haircoat during grooming and then transferred to the environment via hair and dander. OBJECTIVES: A novel approach to reducing allergenic Fel d1 exposure was evaluated, involving binding the Fel d1 with an anti-Fel d1 polyclonal egg IgY antibody. The hypothesis was that hair from cats who had been fed foods containing anti-Fel d1 IgY would show a significant reduction in active Fel d1 (aFel d1). METHODS: Hair collected from 105 cats completing a 12-week study was evaluated for aFel d1 via ELISA. Hair was collected four times over a 2-week baseline period, then weekly during the 10 week treatment period during which cats consumed a food containing the anti-Fel d1 IgY. RESULTS: Baseline aFel d1 (µg/g hair) varied greatly among the cats in this study. From week 3, there was a significant reduction in mean aFel d1 with an overall average decrease of 47% by week 10, ranging from a 33-71% decrease vs baseline. Cats with the highest baseline aFel d1 showed the greatest decrease in aFel d1. CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Feeding anti-Fel d1 IgY to cats successfully reduced aFel d1 on their haircoat with the greatest decreases observed in cats with initially high levels. Feeding a diet with anti Fel d1 IgY significantly reduced the active Fel d1 on the hair of cats.

Evaluation of a performance enhancing supplement in American Foxhounds during eventing.

Enhancing performance through dietary measures is constantly sought as some supplements have shown modest performance enhancement in rodents and human subjects. To evaluate a proprietary dietary supplement, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of diet and exercise on blood physiological parameters during a tracking American Fox Hound field championship. Ten dogs were assigned to two different groups. Group A received a commercial kibble and Group B received the same diet with the addition of a supplement added to the dietary premix for 4 weeks before the field event. Blood was collected at rest, immediately following days 1 and 2 of the event and 48 h after day 2. Blood chemistry, complete blood cell counts and cortisol concentrations were analysed. Competition performance was also documented for all dogs using a points system for tracking events. Many chemistry parameters and blood cell counts changed significantly due to exercise. Differences between the dietary groups showed that Group B had significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase on days 1 and 2 of exercise and lower creatine kinase on day 2. Based on tracking scores, dogs in Group B out-performed dogs in Group A. This study suggests that endurance hunting dogs develop changes in serum markers of musculoskeletal integrity that might be mitigated by the addition of the supplement, resulting in better performance. Although intriguing, follow-up controlled studies are needed to ensure that the enhanced performance was not biased due to lack of randomisation.