Duckweed protein as an alternative plant-based protein source for dog and cat dry diets.

Duckweed has attracted increasing attention as a high-quality and sustainable novel plant-based protein source. However, little research has been conducted in dogs and cats. We evaluated the effects of inclusion of duckweed protein (Lemna; MCSelect; Parabel; Vero Beach, FL) primarily in replacement of pea protein in dog diets at 0%, 5%, and 10% and cat diets at %, 10%, and 15% on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability.

Dietary Ground Flaxseed Increases Serum Alpha-Linolenic Acid Concentrations in Adult Cats.

We evaluated effects of dietary ground flaxseed on fecal and serum alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) concentrations, nutrient digestibility, and stool quality in female and male adult cats (n = 20 (8 males, 12 females); 3.95 ± 1.49 years of age (mean ± SD); 3.

Altered fecal microbiota, IgA, and fermentative end-products in adult dogs fed prebiotics and a nonviable Lactobacillus acidophilus.

A study investigating the use of a nonviable Lactobacillus acidophilus (NVL: Culbac; TransAgra, Storm Lake, IA) and a mixed prebiotic (MP) blend (beet pulp, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), inulin, and kelp) was done to evaluate changes in fecal microbiota, fermentative end products, and gut immune health in healthy female and male adult Beagle dogs (n = 24; 5.74 ± 2.18 yr; 9.

Effect of a struvite dissolution diet in cats with naturally occurring struvite urolithiasis.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of the low struvite relative supersaturation diet in dissolution of feline struvite cystoliths.

Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, two-center study. Twelve client-owned cats were enrolled based on the radiographic appearance of their uroliths and urinalysis parameters.

In vitro disappearance characteristics of selected categories of commercially available dog treats.

Pet owners desire treats with adequate nutritional profiles, functional benefits, long-lasting properties and an interactive nature. Therefore, it is pivotal to understand the digestion characteristics of treats produced by different processing methods and having variable nutritional composition. The objective of the present study was to measure in vitro disappearance characteristics of selected categories of commercially available treats.

Investigation of the faecal microbiota of kittens: monitoring bacterial succession and effect of diet.

Weaning is a stressful process for kittens and is often associated with diarrhoea and the onset of infectious diseases. The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota plays an essential role in host well-being, including improving homoeostasis. Composition of the GI microbiota of young cats is poorly understood and the impact of diet on the kitten microbiota unknown.

Use of serum biomarkers to predict the development and severity of osteochondrosis lesions in the distal portion of the femur in pigs.

Objective: To evaluate the use of serum biomarkers of cartilage and bone metabolism to predict the occurrence and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in the distal portion of the femur in growing swine.

Animals: 71 gilts.

Procedures: At an abattoir, serum samples for analysis of 10 biomarkers indicative of cartilage and bone metabolism were obtained prior to processing of the pigs.

Investigation of the faecal microbiota associated with canine chronic diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea is a common problem in dogs and can result in disturbance of the normal intestinal microbiota. However, little is known about the gastrointestinal microbiota of dogs with chronic diarrhoea and controlled canine studies of dietary management are scarce. The aims of this study were to investigate the predominant faecal microbiota of chronic diarrhoea dogs and to examine the effect(s) of a fibre blend on the canine faecal microbiota.

Effect of dietary nutrients on osteochondrosis lesions and cartilage properties in pigs.

Objective: To evaluate dietary ingredients involved in cartilage and bone metabolism and their influence on osteochondrosis lesions in swine.

Animals: 80 crossbred gilts (mean initial weight, 39 kg).

Procedures: Pigs (10 pigs/treatment) were fed a corn-soybean meal basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with additional minerals (copper and manganese or silicon), amino acids (proline and glycine; a combination of leucine, isoleucine, and valine; or methionine and threonine), or fatty acids (provided by fish oil) for 84 days.