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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on diet palatability, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients and metabolizable energy (ME), blood variables and indicators of immunity in dogs. We also evaluated oxidative stability. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were evaluated in three experiments. On Experiment I the palatability of diets containing 0% versus 0.4% microalgae was compared. In Experiment II test diets were offered for 30 days to determine digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters. In Experiment III, the oxidative stability of diets containing microalgae versus anchovy oil was evaluated. There was a higher intake ratio of the diet containing microalgae (p < .05). The ME and CTTAD of nutrients increased (p < .05), except for ether extract after acid hydrolysis, with the inclusion of the microalgae in diet. The amount of monocytes and phagocytic granulocytes was higher (p < .05) in dogs fed 0.4% microalgae. There was greater oxidative stability for the sample containing microalgae. The addition of 0.4% microalgae presented high palatability, increased phagocytic cell numbers, and demonstrated oxidative stability superior to anchovy oil.

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Background: Direct-fed microbials (DFM), such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, may improve gut functionality of the host by favouring non-pathogenic bacteria and reducing the formation of putrefactive compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient digestibility, faecal characteristics and intestinalfermentation products in dogs fed diets with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Sixteen dogs were randomly divided into two groups. Every eight dogs were fed with the control diet or the diet with the addition of 62.5 g of DFM (B. subtilis and B. licheniformis)/ton. Diets were provided throughout a 20-day adaptation period, followed by 5 days of total faecal collection. Nutrient digestibility and the metabolisable energy of the diets, plus the dogs' faecal characteristics and intestinal fermentation products were assessed. Results: There were no differences in nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05). However, DFM supplementation improved faecal score and resulted in less fetid faeces (P < 0.001). DFM inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the biogenic amines concentration: putrescine, spermidine and cadaverine, besides the concentration of phenols and quinoline. Conclusions: The use of B. subtillis and B. licheniformis as DFM reduce the concentration of nitrogen fermentation products in faeces and faecal odour, but the digestibility of nutrients is not altered in dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on dogs with gingivitis. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were offered for 30 days to 12 randomly distributed adult Beagles to determine gingivitis. Gingivitis score and area were analyzed on days 0 and 30. Prior to the analysis, the area was gently cleaned with cotton wool on the surface of the crown of the teeth. There was no change in the gingivitis score (P>0.05). However, there was a reduction (P<0.05) in the area affected by gingivitis (day 30-day 0) in animals supplemented with 0.4% microalgae Schizochytrium sp. The addition of 0.4% dietary microalgae reduced the area of gingivitis on dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the digestibility and palatability of an isolated porcine protein (IPP) for adult dogs. In the digestibility assay, eight adult Beagle dogs were distributed in a double Latin square (4 Â 4) experimental design. Diets containing 0, 100, 200, or 300 g IPP/kg were offered. Diets (0-300 g IPP/kg) presented 229.6-265.3 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 17.59-18.73 MJ/kg metabolisable energy (ME). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of diets and of the IPP were evaluated by analysis of regression. For the palatability test, diets containing 0 and 300 g IPP/kg were compared using 16 adult dogs. Dry matter (DM) and CP ATTD and the ME content of the IPP were determined as 99.2%, 86.4% and 22.48 MJ/kg, respectively. Faecal DM (424-342 g/kg) and pH (6.86-5.98) were linearly reduced (p < .01) as dietary IPP increased. The other evaluated faecal characteristics were not influenced by the treatments (p > .05). Lower intake ratio was obtained with the diet with 300 g IPP/kg, compared with the diet with 0 g IPP/kg (p < .01). The inclusion of IPP in the diet increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and ME content; however, it reduces food palatability and faecal DM. Isolated porcine protein presents high nutrient digestibility and ME content for dogs. ARTICLE HISTORY

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