Evaluation of serum vitamin D metabolites, phagocytosis, and biomarkers of inflammation in dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus.

Naturally occurring diabetes mellitus (NODM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs and its etiology closely resembles type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in people. Human patients with T1DM commonly have cellular derangements consistent with inflammation, impaired immune function, and hypovitaminosis D. There is little information available regarding inflammatory biomarkers, immune function, and vitamin D status in diabetic dogs.

Ex Vivo Immune Function and Modulatory Effects of Calcitriol in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Diabetes Mellitus.

Human patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are susceptible to several long-term complications that are related to glycemic control and immune dysregulation. Immune function remains relatively unexplored in dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus (NODM). Calcitriol improves various aspects of immune function in a variety of species, but its effect in diabetic dogs remains unexplored.

Age-dependent changes in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D may complicate vitamin D status assessment of immature cats.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and excess in clinically presented cats conventionally is diagnosed by comparison of patient plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) concentration with plasma reference intervals determined in healthy adult cats. For immature cats, validity of this vitamin D status assessment method is uncertain.

Objective: The overall objective was determination of whether plasma concentration of 25 (OH) D and other vitamin D metabolites in immature cats markedly change with developmental age as has been reported in other species.

Evaluation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, C-reactive protein, and haptoglobin as biomarkers in dogs newly diagnosed with histoplasmosis.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH)D, C-reactive protein (CRP), and haptoglobin are useful biomarkers in various infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders in dogs, but their utility in histoplasmosis is unknown.

Objective: Determine if serum 25(OH)D, CRP, and haptoglobin concentrations are different in dogs with histoplasmosis compared to healthy controls and whether serum globulin, albumin, CRP, or haptoglobin are associated with 25(OH)D concentration.

Animals: Twenty-two client-owned dogs (histoplasmosis, n = 12; controls, n = 10).

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs with coccidioidomycosis and variables associated with extent of clinically evident disease.

Background: Clinicopathologic variables predictive of disseminated coccidioidomycosis are known in humans but have not been explored in dogs. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH)D correlates with severity of disease of various etiologies in dogs but its role in coccidioidomycosis is unknown.

Objective: Determine whether serum 25(OH)D concentrations are different in dogs with coccidioidomycosis compared with healthy controls and if clinicopathologic variables are associated with extent of disease.

Plasma and Whole Blood Taurine Concentrations in Dogs May Not Be Sensitive Indicators of Taurine Deficiency When Dietary Sulfur Amino Acid Content Is Reduced.

Background: Taurine status is impacted by dietary supply of methionine and cysteine (SAA) and possibly intestinal microbial activity, where plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations are currently used to evaluate taurine status.

Objective: We determined effects of dietary SAA restriction on rate and extent of taurine depletion of blood and skeletal muscle in dogs of two body sizes, and whether oral antibiotic administration affected the taurine depletion and fecal bile acid excretion of the dogs.

Methods: Adult, male, Beagles ( = 6; 10.

Dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D effects on vitamin D status, plasma metabolites and urine mineral excretion in adult cats.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation with dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in adult cats.

Methods: Three levels of dietary 25(OH)D concentrations (4.9, 8.

Investigation of the effects of dietary supplementation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D on indicators of vitamin D status in healthy dogs.

Objective: To compare the effects of short-term dietary supplementation with vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) on indicators of vitamin D status in healthy dogs.

Animals: 13 purpose-bred adult dogs.

Procedures: 20 extruded commercial dog foods were assayed for 25(OH)D content.

Effects of Vitamin D and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Supplementation on Plasma Vitamin D Epimeric Metabolites in Adult Cats.

Feline vitamin D status is based on dietary consumption but metabolism of this essential nutrient and the efficacy of supplementation forms are poorly described in cats. The aim of this study was to further elucidate the metabolites of vitamin D in cats and to compare the effectiveness of vitamin D and 25(OH)D for increasing feline vitamin D status. Eight adult male castrated domestic shorthair cats received vitamin D or 25(OH)D in a single crossover design.

Rapid improvement in vitamin D status with dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in vitamin D insufficient dogs.

Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with various disease processes. We determined whether consumption of a diet supplemented with HyD, a 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) source, would safely increase plasma 25(OH)D concentrations in Golden Retrievers with low vitamin D status. We hypothesised that dietary supplementation with HyD would rapidly increase and sustain plasma 25(OH)D levels in healthy Golden Retrievers with low vitamin D status compared with supplementation with vitamin D.

A review of phosphorus homeostasis and the impact of different types and amounts of dietary phosphate on metabolism and renal health in cats.

Elevated concentrations of serum phosphate are linked with progression and increased case fatality rate in animals and humans with chronic kidney disease. Elevated concentrations of serum phosphate can be a risk factor for development of renal and cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis in previously healthy people. In rodents, an excess intake of dietary phosphorus combined with an inverse dietary calcium : phosphorus ratio (<1 : 1) contributes to renal calcification.

Successful Long-Term Management of Canine Superficial Necrolytic Dermatitis With Amino Acid Infusions and Nutritionally Balanced Home-Made Diet Modification.

A 10-year old, castrated male, Bichon Frise with a history of hyperadrenocorticism and intrahepatic portal vein hypoplasia was diagnosed with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND). The dog exhibited thick crusts on the chin, muzzle, prepuce, and paws. In addition, the dorsal surfaces of all paws were erythematous while the palmar/plantar surfaces were hyperkeratotic, hardened, and painful.

Effects of body fat mass and therapeutic weight loss on vitamin D status in privately owned adult dogs.

More than one-third of humans and companion dogs in Western societies are overweight or obese. In people, vitamin D deficiency is widespread and associated with obesity, a now recognised inflammatory state. Low vitamin D status occurs in dogs with inflammatory conditions, but its relationship with obesity has not been investigated.

Serum vitamin D concentrations in hospitalized critically ill dogs.

Hypovitaminosis D has been extensively documented in critically ill humans. However, whether or not critically ill dogs have alterations in vitamin D concentrations remains unconfirmed. The primary aims of our study were to compare serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] concentrations in critically ill dogs with healthy control dogs, determine the prognostic utility of serum 25(OH)D concentration as a biomarker in critically ill dogs, and to assess if serum 25(OH)D concentrations in critically ill dogs are associated with length of stay in the intensive care unit or illness severity.

Previously undescribed vitamin D C-3 epimer occurs in substantial amounts in the blood of cats.

Objectives The aim of this report is to describe the identification of a novel vitamin D metabolite, a C-3, alpha-epimer of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (3-epi-25(OH)D), in serum and plasma extracts of cat blood and compare its abundance in cat, dog and rat serum to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D), a conventional marker of vitamin D status. Methods Serum 25(OH)D and 3-epi-25(OH)D concentrations were measured in healthy cohorts of cats (n = 8), dogs (n = 8) and rats (n = 17) using validated reverse and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The methods were verified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrophotometry.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in adult dogs are more substantially increased by oral supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than by vitamin D.

We previously found a weak response in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations when dogs were supplemented with oral vitamin D (D). In the present study, we determined the relative potency of oral 25(OH)D compared with D for increasing vitamin D status in dogs with low serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Four male and three female, 4-year-old, intact, lean, genetically related, Chinese-crested/beagle dogs were studied in a randomised, single cross-over trial.

Effects of parenteral fish oil on plasma nonesterified fatty acids and systemic inflammatory mediators in dogs following ovariohysterectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of intravenous (IV) infusion of fish oil (FO) emulsion following ovariohysterectomy (OVH) on inflammatory mediators and plasma omega-3 nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations in dogs.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Bisphenol A (BPA) in the serum of pet dogs following short-term consumption of canned dog food and potential health consequences of exposure to BPA.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely present endocrine disruptor chemical found in many household items. Moreover, this chemical can bioaccumulate in various terrestrial and aquatic sources; thereby ensuring continual exposure of animals and humans. For most species, including humans, diet is considered the primary route of exposure.

Oral vitamin D supplementation at five times the recommended allowance marginally affects serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs.

Little is known regarding optimal vitamin D status in adult dogs. To date no studies on vitamin D supplementation for improving vitamin D status have been reported for adult dogs. The aims of this study were to identify dogs with low vitamin D status and evaluate an oral dosage of cholecalciferol (D3) for effectiveness in increasing vitamin D status.

Development of Obesity: Mechanisms and Physiology.

Normal adult animals living in nonstressful environments that receive nutritionally sound diets balance their energy expenditure with their energy intake over the long-term. Most knowledge of mechanisms underlying the precise balance of energy is derived from research on rodent models and human correlates. This knowledge is believed applicable and pertinent for understanding causes of obesity in dogs and cats.

Evaluation of jejunostomy tube feeding after abdominal surgery in dogs.

Objective: To describe the use of postoperative intrajejunal feeding and to evaluate the association of preoperative plasma albumin concentrations with intrajejunal feeding-related complications and clinical outcome.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: University veterinary teaching hospital.

Short-Term Estrogen Replacement Effects on Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Tolerance in At-Risk Cats for Feline Diabetes Mellitus.

Male domestic cats that are neutered and overweight are at an increased risk for developing a type-2-like diabetes mellitus. Beneficial effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on glucose homeostasis may be lost with neutering and thereby account for increased diabetes risk. To evaluate this, adult male neutered overweight cats (n=6) were given daily E2 (1.

Comparison of inferred fractions of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in feral domestic cat diets with those in commercial feline extruded diets.

Objective: To compare presumed fatty acid content in natural diets of feral domestic cats (inferred from body fat polyunsatrated fatty acids content) with polyunsaturated fatty acid content of commercial feline extruded diets.

Sample: Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue samples (approx 1 g) from previously frozen cadavers of 7 adult feral domestic cats trapped in habitats remote from human activity and triplicate samples (200 g each) of 7 commercial extruded diets representing 68% of market share obtained from retail stores.

Procedures: Lipid, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid fractions in adipose tissue samples and ether extracts of diet samples were determined by gas chromatography of methyl esters.

Plasma oestrogen changes in adult male cats after orchiectomy, body-weight gain and low-dosage oestradiol administration.

The physiological relevance of oestradiol (E2) on post-orchiectomy (OX) food intake control was evaluated in six adult, male, domestic, short-hair cats. Jugular venous plasma E2 and oestrone (E1) concentrations were determined weekly before OX and immediately after OX in a cross-over trial of two 3-week periods in which E2 (0.5 μg) or vehicle (0.