Basic science knowledge underlies clinical science knowledge and clinical problem solving: evidence from veterinary medicine.

Medical sciences education emphasizes basic science learning as a prerequisite to clinical learning. Studies exploring relationships between achievement in the basic sciences and subsequent achievement in the clinical sciences generally suggest a significant positive relationship. Basic science knowledge and clinical experience are theorized to combine to form encapsulated knowledge- a dynamic mix of information that is useful for solving clinical problems.

Effect of a Leucine/Pyridoxine Nutraceutical on Caloric Intake and Body Composition of Obese Dogs Losing Weight.

The aim of this 29-week randomized, positively and negatively controlled study was to investigate whether a nutraceutical containing 1 g leucine and 13 mg pyridoxine can enhance weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass in obese dogs. Twenty-four healthy, 2-year-old beagles were initially divided into obesification ( = 18) or ideal body weight groups ( = 6). After obesification, the 18 dogs were divided into three weight loss groups and fed one of the following over 12 weeks: nutraceutical with canned adult diet (CAD; ObN), placebo with CAD (ObP), or a canned therapeutic weight loss diet (WLD).

Body composition of lean outdoor intact cats vs lean indoor neutered cats using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Objectives: The objectives for this study were to compare the body composition of adult indoor neutered domestic cats with outdoor intact cats with an ideal body condition score using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and to report the body composition findings of free-roaming cats, as this has not been previously reported. Most domestic house cats differ from free-roaming cats as they are confined indoors and neutered. Indoor neutered cats have reduced activity and hormonal alterations that may result in lower muscle mass and higher body fat percentages vs outdoor intact cats, despite similar body condition scores.

Prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infections in morbidly obese dogs.

Background. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in dogs and, as in humans, cost of care has increased due to associated comorbidities. In humans, asymptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) may be more prevalent in the obese.

Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth.

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if two raw feline diets were nutritionally adequate for kittens. Methods Twenty-four 9-week-old kittens underwent an Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) 10 week growth feeding trial with two raw diet groups and one cooked diet group (eight kittens in each). Morphometric measurements (weight, height and length), complete blood counts, serum chemistry, whole blood taurine and fecal cultures were evaluated.

Apparent nutrient digestibility of two raw diets in domestic kittens.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate overall dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat and gross energy digestibility of a feline commercial raw diet and a homemade raw diet compared with a canned, heat-processed diet.

Methods: Six domestic shorthair kittens (20-28 weeks old) were fed three different diets in a Latin square crossover design. Diet A was a commercially available, canned, heat-processed diet.

Use of a morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese cats.

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) system to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese cats.

Design: Prospective evaluation study.

Animals: 76 overweight or obese cats ≥ 1 year of age.

Use of a novel morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese dogs.

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs.

Design: Prospective evaluation study.

Animals: 83 overweight or obese dogs ≥ 1 year of age.

Influence of acidifying or alkalinizing diets on bone mineral density and urine relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy cats.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of acidifying or alkalinizing diets on bone mineral density and urine relative supersaturation (URSS) with calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy cats.

Animals: 6 castrated male and 6 spayed female cats.

Procedures: 3 groups of 4 cats each were fed diets for 12 months that differed only in acidifying or alkalinizing properties (alkalinizing, neutral, and acidifying).

The effects of hibernation and captivity on glucose metabolism and thyroid hormones in American black bear (Ursus americanus).

American black bears (Ursus americanus) have been shown to become transiently insulin resistant and hypothyroid during winter, but no studies have investigated these changes in long-term captive bears or in bears which remain awake year-round. Wild, captive hibernating, and captive nonhibernating bears were evaluated at times corresponding to three of their major physiologic stages: fall (hyperphagic stage), winter (hibernation stage), and summer (normal activity stage). Combined insulin and glucose tolerance tests and thyroid hormone profiles were performed on all bears during each stage.

Comparison of a human portable blood glucose meter, veterinary portable blood glucose meter, and automated chemistry analyzer for measurement of blood glucose concentrations in dogs.

Objective: To compare blood glucose concentrations measured with 2 portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) validated for use in dogs (PBGM-D) and humans (PBGM-H) and an automated chemistry analyzer.

Design: Validation study.

Sample Population: 92 samples of fresh whole blood and plasma from 83 dogs with various diseases.

Changes in hepatic gene expression in dogs with experimentally induced nutritional iron deficiency.

Background And Objective: We investigated hepatic gene expression in dogs with experimentally induced nutritional iron deficiency (ID). Our hypothesis was that ID would result in decreased hepcidin gene expression, and possibly in altered expression of other genes associated with iron metabolism.

Methods: Liver biopsies were collected from each of 3 dogs before induction of ID, at the point of maximal ID, and after resolution of ID.

Transient type 2 diabetes mellitus in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).

A privately owned, obese, adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) presented with polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and increased appetite. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed based on laboratory findings, including hyperglycemia and glucosuria. As a result of the raccoon's age and obesity at the onset of clinical signs, the raccoon was thought to have type 2 diabetes mellitus, a diagnosis that was supported by paired glucose tolerance tests.

Influence of hydrochlorothiazide on urinary calcium oxalate relative supersaturation in healthy young adult female domestic shorthaired cats.

Hydrochlorothiazide (1 mg/kg PO q12h) or placebo was administered to healthy cats for 2 weeks in a masked, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. When cats received hydrochlorothiazide, 24-hour urine volume, ammonia, chloride, creatinine, magnesium, oxalic acid, phosphate, potassium, and sodium were significantly higher than when cats received placebo. Hydrochlorothiazide was associated with significantly lower urinary saturation for calcium oxalate, but no difference was found in 24-hour urine calcium and citrate, urinary saturation for struvite, or blood ionized calcium.

Influence of prednisolone on urinary calcium oxalate and struvite relative supersaturation in healthy young adult female domestic shorthaired cats.

Prednisolone (10 mg PO q24h) or placebo was administered to healthy cats for 2 weeks in a masked, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. When cats received prednisolone, 24-hour urine pH was lower and 24-hour urine excretion of creatinine, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium was higher than when cats received placebo. No significant difference was found in urinary relative supersaturation for calcium oxalate (CaOx) or struvite between treatment groups.

Aflatoxicosis in nine dogs after exposure to contaminated commercial dog food.

The purpose of this study was to characterize light and electron microscopic findings from 9 dogs that had consumed aflatoxin-contaminated commercial dog food from recalled batches. Four dogs died and 5 were euthanized after signs of liver failure. Analysis of feed and liver samples confirmed exposure to aflatoxin.

Effects of sodium chloride on selected parameters in cats.

This study used 36 cats with varying renal insufficiency and physiologic status to evaluate the effect of a food high in sodium chloride (HSC) compared with a low sodium chloride (LSC) food on selected blood parameters and blood pressure. Cats eating the HSC food had an increase in serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and phosphorus compared with cats eating the LSC food. Also, cats eating the HSC food had increased fractional excretion of calcium and increased fractional shortening during cardiac contraction.

Nutrition and lower urinary tract disease in cats.

Lower urinary tract disease occurs commonly in cats and is often associated with crystal-related disease. Dietary modification is beneficial in managing some of these diseases, including idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis, and urethral matrix-crystalline plugs. Altering dietary formulation may result in decreasing urinary concentrations of crystallogenic compounds, increasing urinary concentrations fo crystallogenic inhibitors, and diluting urine composition.

Feline diabetes mellitus: low carbohydrates versus high fiber?

Treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the cat relies primarily on the adequate insulin therapy and controlled dietary intake. The goals of managing DM in the cat have changed from attaining glycemic control to achieving diabetic remission (transient diabetes) in a large proportion of cases. Remission rates of up to 68% have been published.

Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous chronic kidney disease in cats.

Objective-To determine whether a renal diet modified in protein, phosphorus, sodium, and lipid content was superior to an adult maintenance diet in minimizing uremic episodes and mortality rate in cats with stage 2 or 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Design-Double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Animals-45 client-owned cats with spontaneous stage 2 or 3 CKD.

Reticulocyte indices in a canine model of nutritional iron deficiency.

Background: Reticulocyte indices, especially reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CH retic), have shown promise as markers of iron deficiency (ID), but there have been no prospective investigations of reticulocyte indices in experimental models of ID.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare reticulocyte indices with conventional hematologic and biochemical indices as markers of ID in dogs.

Methods: Iron deficiency was induced in 7 dogs by feeding an iron-deficient diet, and corrected by restoring dietary iron and by giving iron parenterally.