Neutering in dogs and cats: current scientific evidence and importance of adequate nutritional management.

Neutering or spaying is a commonly recommended veterinary procedure. However, veterinarians are often confronted with conflicting findings and differences in concepts regarding practice and proper nutritional management after the procedure. The objective of the present review was to bring to light the most recent literature, summarise it and discuss the findings focusing on the risks and benefits of neutering in dogs and cats, and to determine the appropriate nutritional management for these animals.

Effects of obesity, energy restriction and neutering on the faecal microbiota of cats.

Surveys report that 25-57 % of cats are overweight or obese. The most evinced cause is neutering. Weight loss often fails; thus, new strategies are needed. Obesity has been associated with altered gut bacterial populations and increases in microbial dietary energy extraction, body weight and adiposity. This study aimed to determine whether alterations in intestinal bacteria were associated with obesity, energy restriction and neutering by characterising faecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in eight lean intact, eight lean neutered and eight obese neutered cats before and after 6 weeks of energy restriction. Lean neutered cats had a bacterial profile similar to obese rodents and humans, with a greater abundance (P<0·05) of Firmicutes and lower abundance (P<0·05) of Bacteroidetes compared with the other groups. The greater abundance of Firmicutes in lean neutered cats was due to a bloom in Peptostreptococcaceae. Obese cats had an 18 % reduction in fat mass after energy restriction (P<0·05). Energy reduction was concurrent with significant shifts in two low-abundance bacterial genera and trends in four additional genera. The greatest change was a reduction in the Firmicutes genus, Sarcina, from 4·54 to 0·65 % abundance after energy restriction. The short duration of energy restriction may explain why few bacterial changes were observed in the obese cats. Additional work is needed to understand how neutering, obesity and weight loss are related to changes in feline microbiota and how these microbial shifts affect host physiology.

The analysis of computer data regarding obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at private veterinary practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practicesin Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, neoplasia and urinary diseases were statistically evaluated. Considering data coming from 2,272 cats, which were referred to veterinary practices, 33.12%, were classified as overweight-obese, 40.04% were optimum-weight and 26.84% were lightweight. It was determined that overweight-obese cats were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis and hepatic lipidosis compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Overweight-obese cats were more likely to be diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease and neoplasia compared to lightweight cats (P < 0.05).[...](AU)

The analysis of computer data regarding obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at private veterinary practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practicesin Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, neoplasia and urinary diseases were statistically evaluated. Considering data coming from 2,272 cats, which were referred to veterinary practices, 33.12%, were classified as overweight-obese, 40.04% were optimum-weight and 26.84% were lightweight. It was determined that overweight-obese cats were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis and hepatic lipidosis compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Overweight-obese cats were more likely to be diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease and neoplasia compared to lightweight cats (P < 0.05).[...]

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

The Analysis of Computer Data regarding Obesity and Associated Diseases in Cats Examined at Private Veterinary Practices

Background: Cats can be defined as being overweight if their bodyweight is 15% above optimum weight and classified as obese if they are more than 30% above their optimum weight. There is a general agreement among investigators that the incidence of excess body weight in cats is increasing. Obesity has considerable impacts on the health of cats and is linked to a variety of health issues including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus and non-allergic skin conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and associated diseases in cats examined at some veterinary practices in Istanbul-Turkey.Materials, Methods & Results: Data of 2,272 patients examined at four private veterinary practices in Istanbul was studied to reveal the association between body weight and diseases. Information regarding sex, age and neutering status was also considered for each patient. Patients were classified according to their body weight to three groups as lightweight (female: 3.0 kg and under, male: 4.5 kg and under), optimum -weight (female: 3.0-4.5 kg, male: 4.5-5.5 kg) and overweight/obese (female: 4.5 kg and over, male: 5.5 kg and over). Accounting all adult cats treated by the clinics, diagnoses of osteoarthritis, heart diseases, dermatological diseases, hepatic lipidosis, metabolic syndrome - diabetes mellitus, lameness, gastrointestinal diseases,

Sugarcane fibre may prevents hairball formation in cats.

Hair ingested by licking during cat grooming can eventually coalesce into solid masses in cat gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that dietary fibre might reduce formation of these trichobezoars (hairballs). The effects of two insoluble fibre sources added to kibble diets were evaluated with respect to trichobezoar faecal excretion. Thirty-two cats and four diets were used in a randomised block design: a control diet without additional fibre, 10 % added sugarcane fibre, 20 % added sugarcane fibre or 10 % added cellulose. Animals were fed for 42 d and during three separate periods (days 15-17, 25-27 and 40-42), the cats were housed individually in metabolic cages and their faeces were totally collected. The faeces were evaluated and the trichobezoars were isolated and classified into small (<1 cm), medium (1·1-2 cm) or large (>2·1 cm). Means were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA and contrasts (P < 0·05). Cats fed sugarcane fibre shown a linear reduction of small and medium trichobezoar excretion (number per cat per day; P = 0·004) as well as a reduction in trichobezoar mass excretion (mg per cat per day; P < 0·01). The control group showed increased faecal excretion of large trichobezoars (P = 0·003), which were not present in the high sugarcane fibre group (P < 0·006). No effect of cellulose was observed for any evaluated trait. Therefore, long fibres (sugarcane fibre) may cause greater peristaltic stimulation, increasing the propulsion of hair through the gut, but further research is needed to validate this mechanism. In conclusion, sugarcane fibre reduced faecal hairball elimination in cats, which may have clinical applications for the prevention of health problems related to trichobezoars.

Comparison of the digestive efficiency of extruded diets fed to ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus).

The digestive tract of ferrets is anatomically simple, with no caecum, ileocolic valve or external differentiation between the transition of ileum and colon. The species has a short large intestine that provides minor contributions to the digestive process. Aiming to better understand the digestibility efficiency of ferrets, the present study compared the digestibility of extruded diets with different amounts of macronutrients fed to dogs, cats and ferrets. Three formulations for cat maintenance were used (values in % of DM basis): high carbohydrate (HC; nitrogen-free extract (NFE) = 54 %, protein = 31 % and fat = 8 %); moderate carbohydrate (MC; NFE = 37 %, protein = 41 % and fat = 10 %); and low carbohydrate (LC; NFE = 19 %, protein = 46 % and fat = 23 %). Apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility was determined by the method of total collection of faeces. Results were compared by ANOVA, considering the diet and species effects and their interactions. Means were compared by the Tukey's test (P < 0·05). Dogs and cats presented similar food intakes, but ferrets consumed almost two times more food (g/kg body weight). Species × diet interactions were verified for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD; P < 0·05). Ferrets presented lower DM digestibility than dogs and cats for all three diets (P < 0·05), lower NFE digestibility than dogs for the three diets and lower NFE digestibility than cats for the HC and LC diets (P < 0·05). For crude protein (CP), ferrets presented lower ATTD than dogs and cats (P < 0·05), whereas for fat, dogs and ferrets presented similar ATTD, and higher values than those presented by cats (P < 0·05). Kibble diets had a lower DM, CP and NFE digestibility when fed to ferrets compared with dogs and cats. Fat digestibility was similar between dogs and ferrets and higher than that for cats.