Evaluation of laboratory findings indicating pancreatitis in healthy lean, obese, and diabetic cats.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus, which commonly coexists with pancreatitis in cats. However, obesity has not previously been associated with pancreatitis in cats.

Objectives: To evaluate factors affecting serum concentrations of pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI), cobalamin and folate in clinically healthy lean, overweight and obese, or diabetic cats.

Efficacy and safety of once daily oral administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor velagliflozin compared with twice daily insulin injection in diabetic cats.

Background: Options for treatment of diabetes mellitus in cats are limited to insulin injections and monitoring for hypoglycemia.

Hypothesis: Once daily sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor velagliflozin PO is noninferior to insulin injections.

Animals: Client-owned diabetic cats (127 safety; 116 efficacy assessment).

Association of serum and fecal microRNA profiles in cats with gastrointestinal cancer and chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Background: Differentiation of gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) from chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIE) in cats can be challenging and often requires extensive diagnostic testing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have promise as non-invasive biomarkers in serum and feces for diagnosis of GIC.

Hypothesis/objectives: Cats with GIC will have serum and fecal miRNA profiles that differ significantly from healthy cats and cats with CIE.

Heritability and genetic trend of body weight in dogs of different breeds in Sweden.

High body weight (BW) in dogs has been associated with developmental as well as degenerative diseases, but the heritability of BW in dog breeds is largely unknown. The aim of the current study was to estimate heritability and genetic change (genetic trend) for BW in a range of dog breeds in Sweden. Body weight registrations from 19 dog breeds (with n ranging from 412 to 4,710) of varying body size, type and usage were collected from 2007 to 2016.

Alterations in Healthy Adult Canine Faecal Microbiome and Selected Metabolites as a Result of Feeding a Commercial Complete Synbiotic Diet with NCIMB 10415.

In dogs, the use of probiotics for preventive or therapeutic purposes has become increasingly common, however the evidence for beneficial effects are often limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding a diet containing NCIMB 10415 on faecal quality, faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, cobalamin and folate as well as faecal microbiome in adult dogs. Eleven healthy client owned dogs were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded crossover study.

Obesity-induced changes in gene expression in feline adipose and skeletal muscle tissue.

Indoor-confined cats are prone to developing obesity due to a sedentary life and an energy intake exceeding energy requirements. As in humans, feline obesity decreases insulin sensitivity and increases the risk of developing feline diabetes mellitus, but the pathophysiological mechanisms are currently poorly understood. Human obesity-related metabolic alterations seem to relate to changes in the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism, insulin action and inflammation.

Outcome of Acquired Fanconi Syndrome Associated with Ingestion of Jerky Treats in 30 Dogs.

Acquired canine proximal renal tubulopathy (Fanconi syndrome) related to excessive ingestion of jerky treats has been recognized since 2007. This study aimed to improve knowledge about the syndrome’s characteristics, especially long-term outcome. By reaching out to veterinarians and dog owners, dogs suspected of jerky induced Fanconi syndrome were identified.

Association of fecal and serum microRNA profiles with gastrointestinal cancer and chronic inflammatory enteropathy in dogs.

Background: Reliable biomarkers to differentiate gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) from chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs are needed. Fecal and serum microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers of GI disease in humans and dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: Dogs with GIC have fecal and serum miRNA profiles that differ from those of dogs with CIE.

Analytical performance of a canine ELISA monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 assay for use in cats and evaluation of circulating levels in normal weight and obese cats.

Background: In human and murine obesity, adipose tissue dwelling macrophages and adipocytes produce monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) leading to systemic low-grade inflammation. The aim of the study was to validate a canine MCP-1 ELISA assay for use in cats and to investigate whether a difference in MCP-1 concentrations could be detected between: a) cats having normal or elevated circulating serum amyloid A (SAA) levels and b) normal weight and obese cats. Serum obtained from 36 client-owned cats of various breed, age and sex with normal (n = 20) to elevated SAA (n = 16) was used for the validation of the canine MCP-1 ELISA assay.

Corticosteroid treatment for acute/acute-on-chronic experimental and naturally occurring pancreatitis in several species: a scoping review to inform possible use in dogs.

Acute pancreatitis in dogs is a prevalent disease characterised by mild to severe inflammation. Treatment with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids has been widely debated but is not generally recommended in veterinary medicine. The objective of the present study was to present current evidence on the effect of corticosteroid treatment for acute/acute-on-chronic pancreatitis across species.

A retrospective study of 237 dogs hospitalized with suspected acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome: Disease severity, treatment, and outcome.

Background: Few studies have investigated management and outcome in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), and there is a paucity of data on dogs with concurrent signs of sepsis.

Objectives: To report outcome in dogs with suspected AHDS according to disease severity and antimicrobial treatment, and to evaluate effect of fluid resuscitation on clinical criteria.

Animals: Two hundred thirty-seven dogs hospitalized with suspected AHDS.

Impact of oral amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid treatment on bacterial diversity and β-lactam resistance in the canine faecal microbiota.

Background: Aminopenicillins with or without a β-lactamase inhibitor are widely used in both human and veterinary medicine. However, little is known about their differential impact on the gut microbiota and development of antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives: To investigate changes in the faecal microbiota of dogs treated with amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.

Analytical performance of canine acylated and unacylated ghrelin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Objectives: Ghrelin is a major appetite-stimulating hormone. It circulates as acylated ghrelin (AG) and unacylated ghrelin (UAG), which could have different metabolic actions in obesity. Our objective was to study the analytical performance of two new canine AG and UAG ELISAs using blood samples from healthy, normal-weight dogs.

Subclinical bacteriuria in a mixed population of 179 middle-aged and elderly cats: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Subclinical bacteriuria (SBU) is the presence of bacteria in urine with no clinical evidence of lower urinary tract disease. The aims of this study were to investigate if being overweight and/or obesity predispose cats to SBU, to investigate previously reported risk factors and to determine the prevalence of SBU in a prospectively sampled cohort of middle-aged and elderly cats.

Methods: Cats aged ⩾6 years presenting to the University Hospital for Companion Animals in Copenhagen from 2015-2019 for causes unrelated to the lower urinary tract were eligible for enrolment.

Clinical effect of probiotics in prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease in dogs: A systematic review.

Background: Gastrointestinal diseases are prevalent in dogs, and probiotics could provide safe alternatives to conventional treatments.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of probiotics when used in the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease in dogs compared with no treatment, only symptomatic treatment, or conventional treatment.

Methods: A systematic review was preformed searching AGRICOLA, AGRIS, CAB Abstracts, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify articles published before April 1, 2017.

Diabetic cats have decreased gut microbial diversity and a lack of butyrate producing bacteria.

Obesity and inactivity are major risk factors of feline diabetes mellitus (FDM) and human type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In recent years, changes in the gut microbiota have been suggested as a contributing factor to T2DM. Whether the gut microbiota (GM) composition plays a role in FDM remains unknown.

Comparison of body condition score and other minimally invasive biomarkers between dogs with gastric carcinoma and dogs with chronic gastritis.

OBJECTIVE To identify minimally invasive biomarkers to help differentiate dogs with gastric carcinoma from those with chronic gastritis. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 15 dogs with gastric carcinoma, 29 dogs with chronic gastritis, and 7 healthy dogs.

European dog owner perceptions of obesity and factors associated with human and canine obesity.

Obesity is a common nutrition-related disorder leading to reduced life expectancy in both humans and dogs. With the aim of identifying new prevention and control options, the study objectives were (1) to investigate dog-owner perceptions about obesity in terms of themselves and their dogs, and (2) to identify factors associated with obesity and possible social, environmental and economic drivers for its development in dog owners and their pets. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed across multiple countries.

Gut microbiota composition may relate to weight loss rate in obese pet dogs.

Obese dogs seem to have a different gut microbiome (GM) composition compared to lean dogs, and in humans, GM composition may negatively impact the ability to lose weight in some individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between exercise, weight-loss and the composition of GM in dogs. Eighteen obese pet dogs were recruited for a 12-week weight-loss intervention.

The effect of position on the precision of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and correlation with body condition score in dogs and cats.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has been used to assess body composition in dogs and cats in several studies, but studies are difficult to compare for several reasons. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether positioning of dogs or cats in either dorsal or ventral recumbency during DEXA scanning influences results. Dogs and cats that were brought to the University Hospital for Companion Animals for euthanasia during the period 15 September-6 November 2015 were consecutively recruited if owners signed a written consent.

Exploring the feasibility and synergistic value of the One Health approach in clinical research: protocol for a prospective observational study of diagnostic pathways in human and canine patients with suspected urinary tract infection.

Background: The One Health approach is emerging in response to the development of bacterial resistance. To the best of our knowledge, the possibility to use this approach in a clinical context has not yet been explored. Thus, in this paper, we report the procedures to implement a prospective observational study of diagnostic pathways in human and canine patients with suspected urinary tract infection as a means to assess the feasibility and synergistic value of setting up One Health clinical research projects and interventions.

A Placebo-Controlled Study on the Effects of the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Mimetic, Exenatide, on Insulin Secretion, Body Composition and Adipokines in Obese, Client-Owned Cats.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 mimetics increase insulin secretion and reduces body weight in humans. In lean, healthy cats, short-term treatment has produced similar results, whereas the effect in obese cats or with extended duration of treatment is unknown. Here, prolonged (12 weeks) treatment with the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 mimetic, exenatide, was evaluated in 12 obese, but otherwise healthy, client-owned cats.

Integration of a physical training program in a weight loss plan for overweight pet dogs.

Objective: To investigate whether a controlled physical training plan for overweight dogs during a weight loss program would improve cardiorespiratory fitness and better preserve lean body mass, compared with results for dogs undergoing a weight loss program based on caloric restriction alone.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

Animals: 19 client-owned overweight or obese dogs.

Physical training and weight loss in dogs lead to transcriptional changes in genes involved in the glucose-transport pathway in muscle and adipose tissues.

Obesity is a worldwide problem in humans and domestic animals. Interventions, including a combination of dietary management and exercise, have proven to be effective for inducing weight loss in humans. In companion animals, the role of exercise in the management of obesity has received relatively little attention.

Quantitative assessment of faecal shedding of β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli and enterococci in dogs.

Quantitative data on faecal shedding of antimicrobial resistant bacteria are crucial to assess the risk of transmission from dogs to other animals as well as humans. In this study we investigated prevalence and concentrations of β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli and enterococci in the faeces of 108 dogs presenting at a veterinary hospital in Denmark. The dogs had not been treated with antimicrobials for 4 weeks prior to the study.