Limiting amino acids supplementation in low crude protein diets and their impacts on growth performance and carcass composition in Labeo rohita (rohu) adult fish / Limitação da suplementação de aminoácidos em dietas com baixo teor de proteína bruta e seus impactos no desempenho de crescimento e composição da carcaça em peixes adultos Labeo rohita (rohu)

Ninety days study was conducted in hapas installed in earthen ponds. Fish of an average initial weight (220g) were evenly distributed in triplicate groups within fifteen hapas. Five experimental diets labeled as T1 (25% CP and NRC recommended amino acid level) as control diet, T2 (with 2% low protein and 5% amino acid supplementation), T3 (with 2% low protein and 10% amino acid supplementation), T4 (with 4% low protein and 10% amino acid supplementation) and T5 (with 4% low protein and 20% amino acid supplementation) were prepared. Fish were fed with @3% of their body weight twice a day at 10.00 & 16:00 hour. Significantly higher percent weight gain (420.18 ± 66.84a) and specific growth rate (13499.33±1273.54a) along with improved feed conversion ratio (1.29 ± 0.09b) and hundred percent survivals were recorded during the trial. Furthermore proximate analysis of meat showed significant improvement in the crude protein level (81.77 ± 0.19a) served with diet containing 20% limiting amino acids mixture. Therefore, limiting amino acids can be a source of cost effective feed and use safely in L. rohita diet.

O estudo de 90 dias foi realizado em hapas instalados em tanques de terra. Peixes com peso inicial médio (220 g) foram distribuídos uniformemente em grupos triplicados em 15 hapas. Cinco dietas experimentais rotuladas como T1 (25% de CP e NRC recomendado nível de aminoácidos) como dieta controle, T2 (com 2% de proteína baixa e 5% de suplementação de aminoácidos), T3 (com 2% de proteína baixa e 10% de suplementação de aminoácidos), T4 (com 4% de baixa proteína e 10% de suplementação de aminoácidos) e T5 (com 4% de baixa proteína e 20% de suplementação de aminoácidos) foram preparadas. Os peixes foram alimentados com 3% do seu peso corporal duas vezes por dia às 10h00 e 16h00. Ganho de peso significativamente maior (420,18 ± 66,84a) e taxa de crescimento específico (13499,33 ± 1273,54a) juntamente com taxa de conversão alimentar melhorada (1, 29 ± 0,09b) e sobrevivência de cem por cento foram registrados durante o ensaio. Além disso, a análise aproximada da carne mostrou melhora significativa no nível de proteína bruta (81,77 ± 0,19a) servida com dieta contendo 20% de mistura de aminoácidos limitantes. Portanto, a limitação de aminoácidos pode ser uma fonte de alimentação econômica e usada com segurança na dieta de L. rohita.

Maintenance energy requirements in cats following controlled weight loss: An observational study.

There is a paucity of information regarding the phenomenon of weight regain after successful weight reduction in cats. This study aimed to estimate post-weight reduction maintenance energy requirements (MER) required to maintain stable weight in a group of pet cats. Nineteen cats that had successfully completed a controlled weight reduction programme were enrolled. For inclusion, at least 2 months of follow-up had to be available for review, and the maximum change in weight during maintenance was ±2%. Post-weight-reduction MER was estimated by determining dietary energy consumption from owner diary records. The Friedman test was used to compare bodyweight and energy intake at different stages of weight management. Simple and multiple linear regression were used to identify factors associated with post-weight-reduction MER. The median (interquartile range) duration of weight maintenance was 179 days (119-408 days) and, during this time, MER was 273 ± 56.7 kJ per kg0.67 ideal bodyweight (IBW) per day. Post-weight-reduction MER was greater than metabolisable energy intake at the end (233 ± 29.5 kJ IBW per kg0.67 per day; P < 0.001) but not the start (255 ± 38.6 kJ per kg0.67 IBW per day; P = 0.148) of the weight reduction period. Using simple and multiple linear regression, the only variable that was associated with post-weight reduction MER was the mean ME intake during weight reduction (r2 = 0.349, P = 0.008). Post-weight-reduction MER at the lower limits of MER recommendations for pet cats might predispose to weight regain during the weight maintenance phase.

Effects of short-term feed restriction on the physiological parameters and metabolites of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows in different stages of lactation / [Efeitos da restrição alimentar de curto prazo sobre os parâmetros fisiológicos e metabólicos de vacas F1 Holstein x Zebu em diferentes estágios da lactação]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional plans on the productive, physiological and metabolic parameters of F1 ½ Holstein x ½ Zebu cows in different stages of lactation. Sixty lactating cows were allotted to a completely randomized 5 x 3 factorial design with five feed allowances and three lactation periods. The dry matter intake, milk yield and heart rate were reduced by 5.69kg, 2.41kg and 10.36 beats/min (morning) and 10.25 beats/min (afternoon) for each 1% feed restriction, respectively. There was no difference in the concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids for cows subjected to different feed allowances, with means of 95.25, 7.98, 2.95, 121.68 and 0.45mg/dL, respectively. Feed restriction of up to 2.50% BW is a cost reduction strategy that does not alter milk yield, regardless of the stage of lactation.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes planos nutricionais sobre as características produtivas, fisiológicas e metabólicas de vacas F1 ½ Holandês x ½ Zebu. Foram utilizadas 60 vacas em lactação, seguindo-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 3, com cinco níveis de oferta de dieta e três períodos de lactação. À medida que se aumentou 1% na restrição da oferta da dieta, houve redução linear de 5,69kg no consumo de matéria seca pelos animais, 2,41kg na produção de leite, bem como de 10,36bat/min (manhã) e 10,25 bat/min (tarde) na frequência cardíaca dos animais. Não houve diferença para a concentração de glicose, proteínas totais, albumina, colesterol e NEFA com a restrição na oferta da dieta dos animais, sendo a média de 95,25, 7,98, 2,95, 121,68 e 0,45mg/dL, respectivamente. Recomenda-se a restrição de até 2,50% de peso corporal como estratégia de redução dos custos em todos os estágios em lactação, visando não alterar, economicamente, a produção de leite.(AU)

Serum untargeted metabolomic changes in response to diet intervention in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Myocardial energy deprivation plays a causal role in the development of heart failure. A cardiac protection blend (CPB) of nutrients including medium chain triglycerides, fish oil and other key nutrients was developed to slow the progression of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). A six-month dietary intervention demonstrated efficacy of CPB in slowing MMVD progression. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of serum from these dogs identified 102 differential metabolites (adjusted P < 0.05). The ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid (FA) changed from 2.41 and 1.46 in control and CPB groups at baseline to 4.30 and 0.46 at 6 months respectively. A 2.7-fold increase of α-aminobutyrate, a myocardial modulator of glutathione homeostasis, was found in CPB dogs compared to 1.3-fold increase in control dogs. Arginine and citrulline, precursors of nitric oxide biosynthesis, were both increased 2-fold; caprate, a medium chain FA, was increased 3-fold; and deoxycarnitine, precursor of carnitine biosynthesis, was increased 2.5-fold in CPB dogs. Margarate and methylpalmitate decreased in response to CPB, a potential benefit in MMVD dogs as positive correlations were found between changes in both these FAs and left atrial diameter (r = 0.69, r = 0.87 respectively, adjusted P < 0.05). Sphingomyelins with very long chain saturated FAs associated with decreased risk of heart failure in humans were increased in MMVD dogs fed the CPB diet. Our data supports the hypothesis that CPB improves FA utilization and energetics, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in MMVD dogs. More studies are needed to understand the roles of specific metabolites in MMVD.

Bacterial fecal microbiota is only minimally affected by a standardized weight loss plan in obese cats.

BACKGROUND: Research in humans and mice suggests that obesity influences the abundance and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota, and that an "obese microbiome" influences energy metabolism and fat storage in the host. Microbiota membership and composition have been previously assessed in healthy cats. However, research investigating the effects of obesity and weight loss on the cat's fecal microbiota is limited. Therefore, this study's objective was to evaluate differences in fecal microbial abundance and biodiversity, as well as serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in obese cats, before and after weight loss, and compare to lean cats. Fourteen lean and 17 obese healthy client-owned cats were fed a veterinary therapeutic weight loss food at maintenance energy requirement for 4 weeks. At the end of week 4, lean cats finished the study, whereas obese cats continued with a 10-week weight loss period on the same food, fed at individually-tailored weight loss energy requirements. Body weight and body condition score were recorded every 2 weeks throughout the study. At the end of each period, a fecal sample and food-consumption records were obtained from the owners, and serum cobalamin and folate concentrations were analysed. DNA was extracted from fecal samples, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed, and products were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq). RESULTS: No significant differences in the relative abundance of taxa and in biodiversity indices were observed between cats in either group (P > 0.05 for all tests). Nevertheless, some significantly enriched taxa, mainly belonging to Firmicutes, were noted in linear discriminant analysis effect size test in obese cats before weight loss compared to lean cats. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly higher in lean compared to obese cats both before and after weight loss. Serum folate concentrations were higher in obese cats before weight loss compared to after. CONCLUSIONS: The association between feline obesity and the fecal bacterial microbiota was demonstrated in enriched taxa in obese cats compared to lean cats, which may be related to enhanced efficiency of energy-harvesting. However, in obese cats, the fecal microbial abundance and biodiversity were only minimally affected during the early phase of a standardized weight loss plan.

Dietary intervention reduces left atrial enlargement in dogs with early preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease: a blinded randomized controlled study in 36 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), the most common naturally-occurring heart disease in dogs, is associated with alterations in energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Energy deprivation plays a causal role in the development of heart failure. This study was designed to determine if a cardiac protection blend (CPB) of nutrients containing medium-chain triglycerides as an alternative energy source, fish oil to reduce inflammation, antioxidants, and other key nutrients important to cardiac health and function could slow or prevent MMVD progression. Nineteen dogs with early stage MMVD and 17 breed-, age-, and sex-matched healthy dogs were enrolled for a 6-month blinded, placebo-controlled study. Dogs in each cardiac health group were randomly assigned to either control diet (CON) or CPB-supplemented diet. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: No changes were found in healthy dogs. While MMVD-CON dogs had an average 10% increase over baseline in left atrial diameter (LAD) and left atrial to aortic root ratio (LA/Ao) at 6 months, MMVD-CPB dogs showed 3% decreases, resulting significant diet by time interactions (P = 0.037, P = 0.005, respectively). More MMVD-CON dogs progressed from stage B1 to B2 during the study. A positive correlation was found between 6-month changes in LAD and blood pressures in MMVD-CPB dogs (systolic: P = 0.050, diastolic: P = 0.035) but not MMVD-CON dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated efficacy of CPB-based dietary intervention in reducing LA size and mitral regurgitation, and in slowing or preventing the progression of early MMVD in dogs.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of reproductive management practices used to induce resumption of ovarian cyclical activity in anestrous does.

Reproductive management practices that use hormones, sociosexual biostimulation, nutritional management, or abiotic factors are used to induce the resumption of reproduction in anestrous does. However, their overall efficacy remains uncertain; therefore, the identification of evidence-based management recommendations to manipulate anestrous in goats is important. Electronic databases were searched to retrieve reports on studies using interventions based on hormonal, sociosexual, nutritional, and abiotic factors. Only experimental studies in which a group of anestrous does was treated and compared against an untreated group were included. Estrus, ovulation, and pregnancy were primary outcomes, whereas the onset of estrus after treatment, the ovulation rate, and the number of anovulatory days were secondary outcomes. Odds ratio (OR) and mean differences were used to synthesize pooled data, and random effects models were used to calculate them. Seventy studies involving 3974 goats met the inclusion criteria. Unclear risk of bias for random sequence generation and allocation concealment predominated across studies. Pooled data for hormonal, sociosexual, and abiotic interventions showed a significant, though variable, increase in estrus (OR range 7.15-144.80), ovulation (OR range 6.08-56.95), and pregnancy (OR range 3.94-30.8). Hormonal treatments significantly reduced the onset of estrus, whereas abiotic interventions failed to reduce the number of anovulatory days. Secondary outcomes were not assessed in trials using sociosexual approaches. Finally, except for pregnancy, no significant efficacy was observed for studies using nutritional management. In conclusion, reproductive management practices using sociosexual approaches showed the highest efficacy for restoring reproductive activity in anestrous does.

Trial data of the anti-obesity potential of a high resistant starch diet for canines using Dodamssal rice and the identification of discriminating markers in feces for metabolic profiling.

INTRODUCTION: Dodamssal rice (Oryza sativa L.) includes high levels of resistant starch (RS), which is a source of dietary fiber. Recently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of obesity in canines; however, the information regarding diet treatments for such a condition is inadequate. OBJECTIVES: Targeted metabolic profiles in canine feces were performed to identify potential biomarkers of RS and demonstrate the effect and potential use of Dodamssal rice as an anti-obesity treatment. METHODS: Study canines were divided into three groups and fed either a regular diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or high-fat diet with Dodamssal rice (DoHFD). Fecal metabolites were analyzed using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry and a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Multivariate analyses were used to analyze and visualize the obtained data. RESULTS: A total of 52 metabolites were detected in the canine feces. In addition, HFD group feces contained a significantly low level of C12:0. The DoHFD group feces had higher levels of 4-aminobutyric acid, glucose, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the first time, targeted metabolic profiling in the canine feces in response to three diets was performed. This metabolic profiling approach should be a useful tool to detect discriminating markers as well as assess the effect of diet compositions for anti-obesity treatment of canines. Furthermore, Dodamssal rice may possibly be used not only for canines, but also to treat obesity in other animals and humans.

Tutores de cães consideram a dieta caseira como adequada, mas alteram as fórmulas prescritas / Dog owners consider homemade diet as adequate, but change the prescribed formulas

O estudo objetivou avaliar a adesão e a percepção dos proprietários de cães, residentes na cidade de São Paulo/SP, quanto ao emprego de dieta caseira no manejo nutricional de seu animal de estimação. Foram entrevistados por contato telefônico 55 proprietários que forneciam dieta caseira no manejo nutricional do seu cão. O questionário contemplou perguntas relacionadas ao preparo e eficiência das dietas, bem como o manejo dos animais. Verificou-se que considerável número (parcela) de prescrições (45,9%) esteve associado a pacientes com hiporexia. Dentre os proprietários que relataram dificuldade no preparo (10,9%), o tempo dispendido (33,3%) foi a maior problemática. Quando questionados em relação às modificações nas fórmulas prescritas, 60% admitiram que a realizaram sem prévia recomendação. Na opinião dos entrevistados, a dieta caseira não causou alterações nas fezes (50%) e na pelagem (62,7%) dos animais em comparação ao emprego de um alimento comercial e foi considerada adequada pela maioria (79,0%). As dietas caseiras podem ser amplamente utilizadas, mostrando-se especialmente importantes em cães doentes e/ou hiporéticos por apresentarem maior aceite em relação à dieta comercial, no entanto, nem todos os tutores estão aptos a utilizá-la.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adhesion and perception of dog owners from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, on the employment of homemade diet for the nutritional management of their pet. The participants were 55 owners that provided homemade diet for their dog. The interviews were conducted by telephone and the questionnaire included points related with the preparation and effectiveness of diets, as well as the handling of animals. It was found that a considerable number of prescriptions (45.9%) was associated with patients with hyporexia. Among the owners who reported difficulty in the preparation (10.9%), time spent (33.3%) was the most problematic topic. When questioned in relation to changes in the prescribed formulas, 60% admitted that conducted it without recommendation. In the opinion of interviewed owners, the homemade diet did not cause changes in feces (50%) and coat (62.7%) of the animals compared to the use of a commercial food and was considered appropriate by the majority (79.0%). The homemade diets can be widely used, being especially important in dogs with diseases and/or dogs with hyporexia, since they are more easily accepted than the commercial diet; however, not all owners are able for its right use.(AU)

Use of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet UR Urinary St/Ox to Dissolve Struvite Cystoliths.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of feeding the commercially available diet, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox, for the dissolution of struvite cystoliths in cats with naturally occurring disease. Twelve cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and cystoliths confirmed via radiographs were enrolled. The cats were fed the study diet ad libitum and assessed by abdominal radiographs weekly. Cats with cystoliths that resolved based on radiographs and confirmatory ultrasound examination were considered diet successes. Cats with no change in cystolith size after 2-6 weeks underwent cystotomy for stone removal, aerobic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and analysis. All cats accepted the study diet, and weight loss was not noted over the course of the study. Total cystolith dissolution was achieved by week 2 for 5 cats, which were presumed to have struvite cystoliths. All other cats underwent cystotomy for stone removal after radiographic evidence of cystoliths were still present at 2 weeks (1 cat with severe signs), 4 weeks (5 cats), or 6 weeks (1 cat). The cystoliths that were surgically removed were calcium oxalate (5 cats) and mixed (2 cats) and would not be expected to dissolve with this diet. Follow-up radiographs from 6 cats fed the diet long term (3 presumed struvite and 3 with other cystoliths removed surgically) were collected from 1 to 6 months after beginning the study and showed no evidence of cystolith recurrence. While larger case numbers are needed, these results suggest that feeding Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox can successfully dissolve cystoliths that are likely struvite and may lessen the risk of recurrence of struvite and calcium oxalate cystoliths.

Acute Liver Injury and Failure.

Acute liver injury and acute liver failure are syndromes characterized by a rapid loss of functional hepatocytes in a patient with no evidence of pre-existing liver disease. A variety of inciting causes have been identified, including toxic, infectious, neoplastic, and drug-induced causes. This article reviews the pathophysiology and clinical approach to the acute liver injury/acute liver failure patient, with a particular emphasis on the diagnostic evaluation and care in the acute setting.

Canine Idiopathic Chronic Hepatitis.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Liver Standardization Group produced standardized criteria for the histologic diagnosis of canine chronic hepatitis (CH). They define CH by the presence of hepatocellular apoptosis or necrosis, a variable mononuclear or mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate, regeneration, and fibrosis. There are variations in histologic appearance between breeds. Hepatic copper accumulation is an important cause of canine CH. However, where copper accumulation has been ruled out, dogs are said to have idiopathic CH. This article reviews theories regarding the etiopathogenesis of canine CH other than copper accumulation, and its clinical features, diagnostic findings, and management.

A randomized, double-blinded crossover trial testing the benefit of two hydrolysed poultry-based commercial diets for dogs with spontaneous pruritic chicken allergy.

BACKGROUND: Hydrolysed protein diets are used to diagnose and treat dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR). Little is known about what proportion of dogs hypersensitive to the native protein would react to its hydrolysed form. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical allergenicity of hydrolysed poultry feather (RCU) and chicken liver diets (HZD) in dogs with chicken induced CAFR. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blinded, crossover trial, ten dogs with chicken induced CAFR were selected after a positive oral challenge to chicken meat and a negative one to corn. Test diets were fed for 14 days separated by a 14 day wash-out period. Owners rated pruritus daily with a Visual Analog Scale (PVAS). The challenge was ended if a flare in pruritus occurred (i.e. PVAS ≥5/10). RESULTS: The median PVAS scores before feeding RCU and HZD were 0.9 and 1.7, respectively (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.46). Pruritus scores increased significantly after feeding HZD (Friedman's test, P < 0.001) but not after feeding RCU (P = 0.895). None of the dogs fed RCU, but four dogs fed HZD (40%), were withdrawn after a flare in pruritus developed (Fisher's test, P = 0.04). The maximal PVAS score was significantly higher after HZD (median: 4.7) compared to RCU (2.5) (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.01). One dog in each group was withdrawn due to diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrolysed poultry feather diet did not induce pruritus flares in dogs allergic to chicken in contrast to the hydrolysed chicken liver diet that led to pruritus flares in 40% of these dogs.

In cats with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, use of a near-euglycemic management paradigm improves remission rate over a traditional paradigm.

The object of this retrospective study was to compare the effect on remission rates of a near euglycemic paradigm (NEP) to a traditional paradigm (TP) of glycemic control in cats with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Medical records of 54 cats with naïve diabetes mellitus managed with low carbohydrate, high protein prescription diets, and twice daily subcutaneous glargine insulin injections were reviewed. Cats were assigned to an NEP or TP group based on frequency of evaluation of blood glucose concentration and the criteria used to assess glycemic control. The two groups were compared with regard to the incidence of clinical and biochemical hypoglycemia and remission rates. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between remission and independent variables. Fourteen of 18 cats (78%) in the NEP group achieved remission, whereas five of the 36 (14%) of the TP group achieved remission (p < 0.001). For the NEP group, biochemical hypoglycemia was noted in 8/18 (44%) and clinical hypoglycemia was documented in 2/18 (11%) of the cats. In the TP group, biochemical hypoglycemia was noted in 12/36 (33%) cats and 5/36 (14%) had clinical hypoglycemia. In conclusion, management of newly diagnosed diabetic cats using an NEP of glycemic control results in higher remission rates without an increased incidence of observed clinical or biochemical hypoglycemia. Although an NEP appears to have benefit it should be evaluated further with regard to its overall and long term effects on health and quality of life as well as its overall cost effectiveness.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a disease of canine and feline brain aging.

Brain aging is a degenerative process manifest by impairment of cognitive function; although not all pets are affected at the same level, once cognitive decline begins it is generally a progressive disorder. Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is based on recognition of behavioral signs and exclusion of other medical causes that might mimic CDS or complicate its diagnosis. Drugs, diets, and supplements are now available that might slow CDS progression by various mechanisms including reducing oxidative stress and inflammation or improving mitochondrial and neuronal function. Moreover, available therapeutics may provide some level of improvement in cognitive and clinical signs of CDS.

[Influence of physiological disturbances on treatment success of dietary therapy in dogs with chronic enteropathies]. / Einfluss körperlicher Mangelzustände auf den diätetischen Behandlungserfolg bei Hunden mit chronischen Enteropathien.

The aim of this retrospective study in 40 dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathies was to investigate a possible influence of immunologic and metabolic deficiencies on the success of dietary treatments. At the time of initial presentation, routine clinical and laboratory methods were used to evaluate various metabolic (i.e., weight loss, measurement of serum total protein, albumin, and cobalamin concentrations) and immunological parameters (i.e., serum globulin concentration, immunoglobulin-fractionation by serum electrophoresis, and serum C-reactive protein concentration as measured by a species-specific ELISA). The dogs were classified as food-responsive (FR-group, n = 11), antibiotic-responsive (AR-group, n = 12), steroid-responsive (SR-group, n = 11), or dogs with various combinations of therapies due to protein-losing enteropathy (PLE-group, n = 6). Differences among the four treatment groups were evaluated by statistical analysis. Compared to dogs in the AR, SR, and PLE groups, dogs in the FR-group showed a significantly milder weight loss (p < 0.01 for each). Dogs in the FR-group also had significantly higher serum concentrations of total protein and albumin compared to the PLE-group (p < 0.001 for each). The FR-group had significantly higher median concentrations of total globulin and gamma-globulin fractions compared to the AR- and PLE-groups (p <0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively). Lower gamma-globulin concentrations correlated with increased weight loss (Spearman r = -0.53; p < 0.005), serum cobalamin (Spearman r = 0.38; p < 0.05), and albumin (Spearman r = 0.45; p < 0.01). Increased serum concentrations of C-reactive protein correlated inversely with serum concentrations of cobalamin (Spearman r = -0.58; p < 0.05) and gamma-globulins (Spearman r = -0.6; p < 0.005). This study provides evidence for a possible association between the severity of immunological disturbances and the development of deficiencies in dogs with chronic enteropathies. This study provides further evidence that less severe physiological disturbances, such as milder forms of weight loss and higher serum concentrations of albumin, globulin, and gamma-globulin are possibly associated with a more favorably response to dietary treatment alone.

Crescimento e sobrevivência de larvas de peixe vermelho (Carassius auratus) alimentadas com microdietas comerciais / Growth and survival of Carassius auratus larvae fed commercial micro diets

Para avaliar o desempenho de dois alimentos comerciais para larvas de peixes ornamentais e analisar o efeito que a suplementação em vitaminas e minerais teria sobre a sobrevivência e o crescimento dessas, foi realizado um ensaio de crescimento de 21 dias, com 4800 larvas de peixe vermelho (Carassius auratus), distribuídas por 24 grupos (200 indivíduos por grupo). Cada grupo foi alojado em tanques de 5L de capacidade, ligados a um sistema de recirculação de água. Quatro grupos foram alocados a um controle de jejum, em que os animais não foram alimentados, e os restantes 20 grupos foram utilizados em cinco tratamentos, em quadruplicado. Em cada um dos cinco tratamentos, os peixes ingeriram uma das seguintes dietas: R (referência), C1 (SERA vipan® baby), C2 (SERA® microgran), C1v e C2v (C1 e C2, respectivamente, reforçadas em vitaminas e minerais). As taxas de sobrevivência e crescimento dos peixes do tratamento R foram maiores que as obtidas nos outros tratamentos (P<0,05). Foram ainda observadas diferenças significativas entre tratamentos relativamente ao comprimento e peso totais. Face aos resultados observados, conclui-se que as duas dietas comerciais, com e sem suplementação, não parecem ser adequadas para o preenchimento das necessidades nutricionais de larvas de peixe vermelho.

A 21-day growth trial was performed to evaluate two ornamental fish larvae commercial diets and the effect of mineral and vitamin supplementation of the same commercial microdiets on growth and survival of goldfish larvae (Carassius auratus). A total of 4,800 larvae were randomly distributed in 24 groups of 200 individuals. Each group was housed in a 5L tank, connected to a recirculating water system. Four groups were assigned to a fastening control. The animals in these groups did not receive any food. The remaining 20 groups were distributed in five treatments, in quadruplicate. The animals of each treatment were fed one of five experimental diets: R (reference), C1 (SERA vipan® baby), C2 (SERA® microgran), C1v, and C2v (C1 and C2, respectively, reinforced with minerals and vitamins). At the end of the trial, high survival and growth rates were observed in R treatment. There were significant differences in total length and total weight among dietary treatments. Considering the high survival and growth rates of goldfish larvae obtained with the reference diet, it can be concluded that the two commercial diets tested, with or without mineral and vitamin supplements, do not seem suitable for feeding goldfish larvae.

Using a diet history to improve adherence to dietary recommendations.

Proper dietary management is essential to pet health, yet changing pet owners' feeding practices is often difficult. Taking a diet history provides an opportunity to open a dialogue about animals' dietary needs as well as invaluable information that will aid in tailoring specific dietary interventions to the needs and preferences of patients and their caregivers.