Association of four differently processed diets with plasma and urine advanced glycation end products and serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products concentration in healthy dogs.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), formed via the Maillard reaction (MR) during processing of foods, have been implicated in inflammatory and degenerative diseases in human beings. Cellular damage is primarily caused by AGE binding with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) on cell membranes. An isoform of RAGE, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), acts as a decoy receptor binding circulating AGEs preventing cellular activation.

Common confounders of dietary elimination trials contain the antigens soy, pork, and beef.

Nutritionists and dermatologists recommend avoiding flavored over-the-counter (OTC) products and medications during dietary elimination trials because those products are thought to contain common proteins that may confound the trial. The objective of this study was to determine if there are soy, pork, and beef antigens in flavored OTC products and medications and, if so, could those antigens be identified. Seven products, three OTC products and four veterinary therapeutics, were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the presence of soy, pork, and beef antigens, in addition to positive and negative controls.

Handling alternative dietary requests from pet owners.

The goal of this article was to provide veterinary practitioners with an overview of the types of alternative dietary options available to pet owners and a practical method by which to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of these various options. Our approach to categorizing the alternative dietary options is based on the nutritional adequacy of these dietary options, because patients will be at risk for nutrition-related diseases if fed a nutritionally incomplete or improperly balanced diet long term.

Homemade diets: attributes, pitfalls, and a call for action.

At one time, it was estimated that the majority of dogs and cats in the United States received 90% or more of their nutrition from complete and balanced commercially prepared foods, and this estimate was reaffirmed in a 2004 survey. However, 4 years and several pet food and treat recalls later, fewer pet owners are feeding commercial pet food products exclusively and more are asking questions and looking for alternatives. As in any market-driven economy, there are many more alternative diets and food products available today from which pet owners may select.

Performance of a canine weight-loss program in clinical practice.

Two canine studies evaluating the effectiveness of a specific computerized weight reduction program in two different clinical settings are summarized to give an overall assessment of an obesity management software program. The weight loss program utilizes a low calorie food formulation (dry, canned and treat) and software to suggest daily calorie intake for weight loss. The software utilizes current body weight and a desired weekly rate of weight loss to predict the dog's body weight in 30 days.

Nutritional support in critical care patients.

Malnutrition in the form of insufficient nutrient intake to support tissue metabolism undermines appropriate medical or surgical therapeutic management of a case. The major consequences of malnutrition in all patients are decreased immunocompetence, decreased tissue synthesis and repair, and altered intermediary drug metabolism. A practical goal is to begin nutritional support within 24 hours of the injury, illness, or presentation.