What to feed mallards to support their health and to minimize nitrogen and phosphate excretion?

Feeding mallards is a popular activity worldwide. Bread, which is most commonly fed, is relatively high in carbohydrates and salt and low in calcium and phosphorus, posing potential risks to the duck's health. Because the impact of a feeding ban is often minimal, it is preferable to identify healthier alternatives for feeding the mallards.

Serum 25(OH)D Analysis in Captive Pachyderms (, , , , ) in Europe.

This study aimed to detect seasonal and species differences in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations during summer and winter months in captive pachyderms in Europe. Both elephant species had low 25(OH)D while African elephants did not show a seasonal variation. Asian elephants had significantly higher 25(OH)D compared to their African counterparts but also did not show a seasonal difference.

The effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on faecal parameters in healthy dogs and cats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on faecal parameters in healthy dogs and cats. To this end, 20 dogs and 20 Domestic shorthair cats were fed a commercially available adult dog food, or cat food, respectively, with either syrup containing GOS (at 1% w galacto-oligosaccharides/w formulated feed) on top (test group) or no topping (control group) for 56 days in a cross-over design. The study consisted of 2 periods of 24 days adaptation, followed by 4 days of collection of faeces.

Clinical management of feline chronic kidney disease in Portugal: a questionnaire-based study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to characterise the clinical management of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) by veterinary practitioners in Portugal.

Methods: A questionnaire-based study was designed to be completed by all veterinarians who had diagnosed and treated at least one case of feline CKD in the previous year.

Results: A total of 409 veterinary practitioners responded to the questionnaire, with approximately half of them diagnosing 2-5 cases of feline CKD per month (n = 219, 53.

Effects of two commercial diets and two supplements on urinary pH in dogs.

Background: Urinary pH manipulation by therapeutic foods or supplements is part of the treatment for urolithiasis. The effectiveness of these diets and supplements should be studied to determine which of these strategies is most effective.

Hypothesis/objectives: To assess the effect of the oral supplementation of potassium citrate, an ammonium chloride solution (Urical) and two dry therapeutic foods-Hill's® Prescription Diet® u/d® Canine (u/d diet) and Royal Canin® Urinary S/O dog (S/O diet)-on a dog's urinary pH at different time points over 8 h.

Brush border enzyme hydrolysis and glycaemic effects of isomaltulose compared to other saccharides in dogs.

Digestible carbohydrates differ in glycaemic response, therewith having the potential to influence metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Isomaltulose has been proven to lower the glycaemic response in humans, which to date has not been studied in dogs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterise the digestibility, as well as the physiological effects of isomaltulose in dogs, in comparison to other saccharides.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the management of feline periodontal disease: What is the evidence?

Periodontal disease is an oral disorder with high prevalence in cats from 2 years of age, resulting from an inflammatory response against bacterial plaque. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include dental scaling, local application of perioceutics, tissue regeneration and/or even tooth extraction and periodontal surgery. As multimodal therapy is often required, new strategies have been developed to improve the therapeutic response in these patients.

Correction: van Lent et al. Kittens That Nurse 7 Weeks or Longer Are Less Likely to Become Overweight Adult Cats. 2021, , 3434.

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Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) analogs as possible treatment options for diabetes mellitus in veterinary patients.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in numerous metabolic processes. The endocrine subfamily of FGFs, consisting of FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23, might have beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or obesity. The analog with the greatest potential, FGF21, lowers blood glucose levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and induces weight loss in several animal models.

The efficacy of a nutritional supplement containing green-lipped mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf extract in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common disease in dogs and cats, and the search for novel treatment options is needed. The combination of green-lipped mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf extract has to date not been studied in dogs and cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the effect of a supplement containing green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), curcumin (Curcuma longa) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) leaf extract on locomotion and behaviour in client-owned dogs and cats suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Nonpharmacological Treatment Strategies for the Management of Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy-A Narrative Review.

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) refers to a heterogeneous group of idiopathic diseases of the dog characterised by persistent gastrointestinal (GI) clinical signs. If conventional dietary treatment alone would be unsuccessful, management of CIE is traditionally attained by the use of pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs. While being rather effective, however, these drugs are endowed with side effects, which may impact negatively on the animal's quality of life.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Canine and Feline Anal Sac Disease.

Limited data are available on canine and feline non-neoplastic anal sac disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain observational data on the incidence, predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence rate of canine and feline anal sac disease. To this end, a questionnaire was distributed among veterinarians.

Kittens That Nurse 7 Weeks or Longer Are Less Likely to Become Overweight Adult Cats.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the suckling period length (SPL) on weight status among adult cats while taking into account putative risk factors. To this end, the body fat percentage of 69 client-owned cats was determined. A body fat percentage of >30% was used for overweight classification.

The Use of and C-3102 in the Management of Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy: A Pilot Study.

The aim was to assess the effects of (AN) with/without C-3102 as alternative treatments for Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy (CIE) of dogs. Fourteen CIE patients, which had received the same control (CTR) diet, were enrolled to serially receive three diets: (1) hydrolysed protein (HP) diet; (2) 4.0% AN supplemented HP (HPA) food, (3) HPA diet fortified with 125 billion C-3102 spores/10 kg body weight (HPAB diet).

Nutritional consulting in regular veterinary practices in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Background: Increased interest in nutrition by dog and cat owners stresses the importance of providing tailored nutritional guidance for each patient by veterinarians. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has provided guidelines to help veterinarians implement this in every-day patient care, by screening patients for the presence of nutritional risk factors, establishing tailored nutritional plans and providing adequate patient follow-up tools.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the use of nutritional assessments in companion animal practices, and to investigate differences between Dutch and Belgian veterinarians.

Discussing overweight in dogs during a regular consultation in general practice in the Netherlands.

In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that, similar to general practitioners, veterinarians find it difficult to discuss overweight in dogs. This study aimed to provide insight in the barriers and motivators for veterinarians to discuss overweight in dogs and to compare the results with findings from human medicine. Sub-hypotheses were postulated based on existing literature to investigate if lack of time, fear of offending clients, or lack of skills were potential barriers, and if feeling responsible and feeling compassion were potential motivators for veterinarians to discuss overweight in dogs.

Evaluating the Potential Benefit of a Combined Weight Loss Program in Dogs and Their Owners.

Little has been published on the psychological bond between the owner and the pet, and how this might influence shared habits that could lead to overweight and obesity. Another factor that could improve the effectiveness of a weight loss plan, is that the owner would see the dog as a weight loss partner and therefore this could increase the motivation to follow the assigned diet and exercise guidelines. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential mutual effects of weight loss programs for both dogs and dog owners.

Analysis of 7866 feline and canine uroliths submitted between 2014 and 2020 in the Netherlands.

Analysis of large datasets of uroliths is necessary to illustrate the prevalence and risk factors of urolithiasis. Furthermore, it may help to improve treatment and prevention of urolithiasis. In this study, 7866 uroliths (44.

COMMD1 Exemplifies the Power of Inbred Dogs to Dissect Genetic Causes of Rare Copper-Related Disorders.

Wilson's Disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in humans, often presenting with hepatic copper overload. Finding the genetic cause of a rare disease, especially if it is related to food constituents like the trace element copper, is a Herculean task. This review describes examples of how the unique population structure of in-bred dog strains led to the discovery of a novel gene and two modifier genes involved in inherited copper toxicosis.

Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D in Dogs and Cats: Beyond the Bones.

Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are nutrients that play a key role in maintaining normal organ, cell, and tissue function. Much is known about their role in bone metabolism, but these nutrients are also important in renal health, urinary tract disease, and multiple other organ systems. It is nutritionally important to meet the physiologic requirements for each of these nutrients, but the interplay between them should also be considered.

Nutritional implications of feeding free-living birds in public urban areas.

Supplementary feeding can affect populations of birds. It reduces energy spent on foraging and reduces the risk of starvation, but it also increases the risk of disease transmission and predation. Supplementary feeding may reduce species richness if some species are better able to exploit supplementary food resources than others.

Permissive parenting of the dog associates with dog overweight in a survey among 2,303 Dutch dog owners.

Overweight/obese dogs are at increased risk of health issues and it is up to the dog owner to uphold successful weight management. In children, overweight relates to their parent's permissive style of parenting. We predicted that permissive dog-directed parenting likewise associates with a dog being overweight (including obesity).

Outcome of non-surgical dietary treatment with or without lactulose in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts.

Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are vascular anomalies, allowing portal blood to bypass the hepatic parenchyma, thereby accumulating toxic substances such as ammonia in the systemic circulation resulting in hepatic encephalopathy. To evaluate the outcome of non-surgically treated dogs with a CPSS. Case records of 78 dogs with a single congenital CPSS confirmed by ultrasound and/or computed tomography between September 2003 and February 2015 were reviewed.

Discussing overweight in children during a regular consultation in general practice: a qualitative study.

Background: Overweight in children is a rising problem leading to serious consequences later in life. The Dutch guideline 'Obesity' for general practitioners recommends discussing obesity in children regardless of the reason of consultation and provides diagnostic and therapeutic tools. However, limited literature indicates that general practitioners experience barriers to discuss this topic.