Microcytosis, hypochromasia, and l o w mean corpuscular hemoglobin are frequent hematologic abnormalities in dogs with portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA). The relationship of iron status t o these abnormalities is unclear. We evaluated iron status and hematologic and biochemical parameters in dogs with congenital PSVA before (25 dogs) and after (11 dogs) partial ligation of the vascular anomaly. Serum iron concentration and total iron binding capacity were subnormal in 56% and 20% of dogs with PSVA, respectively. Transferrin saturation was normal in 68%, decreased in 20%, and increased in 12% of the dogs. Plasma ferritin concentration was either normal (56%) or high (44%), and was not associated with increases in ceruloplasmin concentration. Hepatic stainable iron was increased in 10 of 16 dogs. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were decreased in more than 60% of dogs with PSVA. Serum biochemical abnormalities included high bile acid rythrocytes with a low mean cell volume (MCV), micro-E cytes (MCV < 60-63 %), occur in 33% to 72% of dogs with portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA).'~4 Hypochromasia and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) occur in 4% to 100% of dogs with PSVA. I-' Although the cause of these hematologic abnormalities is unclear, the frequent association of microcytosis, hypochromasia, and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) with iron suggests that their occurrence with PSVA may be related to a decrease in iron availability. The results of preliminary studies of the direct assessment of iron status in dogs with congenital PSVA detail microcytosis in association with decreased serum iron concentrations, and normal or decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC).4,7.X Body iron stores, estimated by measuring ferritin7 or hepatic hemosiderin4 were normal or increased, suggesting a problem in iron utilization rather than an absolute iron deficiency.'.'" Further evidence of abnormal iron metabolism in dogs with PSVA is provided by the development of microcytosis, hypochromasia, low serum iron, and decreased TIBC, and an increased hepatic iron content after surgical creation of a portosystemic shunt." These studies have shown that iron status is abnormal in dogs with PSVA; however, the pathogenesis of these abnormalities and their relationship to microcytosis remains unclear. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to define further the relationship of iron status to erythrocyte volume in dogs with congenital PSVA, and to correlate the effects of congenital PSVA on iron status, hematologic and clinical biochemical indices by comparing these measurements before and after surgical correction of the shunts. Materials and Methods DogsTwenty-five dogs with congenital PSVA referred to the Queen Mother Hospital, Royal Veterinary College between 1992 and 1994 were entered in this study. A diagnosis of PSVA was suspected on the basis of compatible clinical signs and clinicopathologic findings.12~" Ultrasonograp...

The digestive capacity of dogs varying in body size was tested. Digestive experiments were conducted with 10 different canine breeds (n = 66) with body weights ranging from 4.2 to 52.5 kg with 4-9 individuals. The animals were fed a canned or a dry commercial diet with a constant dry matter intake of 13 g/kg BW/day, except in Irish wolfhounds, which ingested only 10 g dry matter with the canned diet. Faecal dry matter was around 14% (absolutely) higher for the dry diet compared to the canned food, with a tendency in the larger breeds towards higher faecal water contents, less favourable faecal quality and increased numbers of defaecations. The Irish wolfhounds, the largest breed tested, had faeces with considerably lower water contents compared to Labrador retrievers, indicating that body weight is not the only factor to be considered. There were only small differences in the apparent digestibility of crude nutrients amongst the breeds. Sodium and potassium absorption was higher when the dry diet was fed compared to the canned food. In conclusion, breed and individual factors have to be taken into account when performing tests with dog food. Test panels for evaluating commercial diets should include breeds of larger body size and higher sensitivity to dietary disorders.

A study was undertaken to evaluate a high fibre diet used in the management of 10 dogs with naturally occurring insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Following baseline measurements of health and glycaemic control, the dogs were fed a canned diet containing a blend of insoluble and soluble dietary fibres and were monitored during the ensuing four months. Switching to the high fibre diet was associated with significantly lower mean 24-hour and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations, which were maintained over the study period. The high fibre diet was also associated with significant reductions in plasma concentrations of fructosamine, glycated haemoglobin, free glycerol and cholesterol, and there were significant improvements in dog activity and demeanour. Bodyweight declined during the fourth month of feeding the diet, which is likely to have resulted from underfeeding relative to increased activity. The results indicate that a high fibre diet can significantly improve glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Zusammenfassung Eine verbesserte Methode zur Abschätzung des Energiegehaltes in Hunde‐ und Katzenfutter Zur Entwicklung einer Schätzmethode für den Energiegehalt in (kommerziellen) Hunde‐ und Katzenfuttern standen drei Datensätze zur Verfügung: Datensatz A: 128 Verdauungsversuche an Hunden, Fasergehalt als Rohfaser (CF) bestimmt, Datensatz B: 107 Verdauungsversuche an Hunden, Faser als Gesamtfaser (TF) nach Englyst und Cummings (1988) und Datensatz C: 58 Verdauungsversuche an Katzen, Fasergehalt als Rohfaser (CF) bestimmt. Zunächst wurden multiple Regressionsberechnungen mit der verdaulichen Energie (DE) als abhängige und den Rohnährstoffen einschließlich der Faser als unabhängige Variablen durchgeführt. In einem weiteren Berechnungsansatz erfolgte die Abschätzung der DE basierend auf den Beziehungen zwischen der Verdaulichkeit der Energie (ad GE) in% und dem Fasergehalt in% der Trockenmasse. Für Datensatz A: ad GE = 91,2 −1,43 × CF; für Datensatz B: ad GE = 93,3–1,42 × TF und für Datensatz C: ad GE = 87,9–0,88 × CF. DE wurde dann wie folgt berechnet: DE = Bruttoenergie (GE) × ad GE/100. GE in kJ/100g Trockenmasse wurde entweder berechnet oder im Bombenkalorimeter direkt bestimmt. Die Schätzwerte korrelierten bei allen Methoden signifikant mit der experimentell ermittelten DE (r > 0,88**). Die Berechnung der GE stellte sich als erhebliche Fehlerquelle heraus. Als zur Zeit genaueste Methode zur Schätzung der DE ist daher die direkte Bestimmung der GE im Bombenkalorimeter und die Abschätzung der Verdaulichkeit über den Fasergehalt zu empfehlen. Die umsetzbare Energie (ME) kann dann durch N‐Korrektur berechnet werden. Pro Gramm Protein werden bei Hundefutter 4,34 kJ und bei Katzenfutter 3,10 kJ abgezogen. Beim Vergleich der eigenen Methode mit der vom NRC vorgeschlagenen Formel ergab sich an einem Datensatz mit 61 kommerziellen Hundefuttern, die nicht bei der Entwicklung der eigenen Methode verwendet wurden, eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung zwischen berechneter und experimentell bestimmter ME für die eigene Methode (r = 0,95**) und eine deutlich geringere für die NRC‐Formel (r = 0,56**).

This prospective study evaluated the cause(s) of dermatitis in a series of cats with signs suggestive of allergic skin disease. Twenty cases completed the díagnostic evaluation, which included intradermal skin testing, a rigorous flea‐control programme, and a 4‐month stabilization period on a restricted protein source commercial diet, followed by rechallenge with the cat's original diet. The most common final díagnoses included flea allergic dermatitis (seven cases), and flea allergic dermatitis together with atopy (seven cases). Three additional cases which did not complete the study were also considered to be atopic. No cases were considered to be primarily associated with food hypersensitivity, an observation supporting previous data indicating this to be a rare cause of allergic skin disease in the cat. These observations emphasize the value of a rigorous flea‐control programme as part of the management of many cases of feline allergic dermatitis. Résumé  Une étude étiologique prospective a été réalisée dans une population de chats suspects de dermites allergiques. Des tests cutanés intradermiques ont été réalisés ainsi qu'un contrôle antipuce rigoureux et un régime d'élimination, faisant appel à une alimentation du commerce restreinte en protéines pendant 4 mois, suivi par une réintroduction de l'alimentation initiale du chat. Le díagnostic le plus fréquent est la Dermite par Allergie à la Piqûres de Puce (DAPP) (7 cas), une DAPP associée à une atopie (7 cas). Trois cas supplémentaires sont atopiques. Aucun cas n'est en rapport avec seulement une allergie alimentaire. Cette observation montre que l'allergie alimentaire est une cause rare de dermite allergique chez le chat. Ces observations confirment par ailleurs l'intérêt d'un contrôle antipuce rigoureux dans la gestion thérapeutique des dermites allergiques du chat. [O'Dair, H.A., Markwell, P.J., Maskell, I.E. An open prospective investigation into aetiology in a group of cats with suspected allergic skin disease (Etude étiologique prospective ouverte dans une population de chats suspects de dermite allergiques). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 193–202.] Resumen  Este estudio prospective evalúa la(s) causa(s) de dermatitis en un grupo de gatos con sintomas sugestivos de dermatosis alérgica. Se evaluó el díagnóstico de veinte casos, incluyendo pruebas cutáneas intradérmicas, programa riguroso de control de pulgas y un periodo de cuatro meses de estabilización con una dieta comercial con fuente de proteina restringida, seguido de una re‐exposición a la dieta original del gato. El díagnóstico final más frecuente fue de dermatitis alérgica a las pulgas (siete casos) y dermatitis alérgica a las pulgas con atopia (siete casos). Tres casos más que no completaron el estudio fueron también considerados atópicos. Ninguno de los casos fue considerado estar principalmente asociado a una hipersensibilidad alimentaria, lo que apoya hallazgos previos indicativos de que este tipo de hipersensibilidad es poco frecuente en el gato. Estos hallazgos resaltan la impo...