Nutritional and Functional Properties of Colostrum in Puppies and Kittens

Abstract

The present review aims toward a better understanding of the nutrition of newborn puppies and kittens. The post-natal period is very sensitive in dogs and cats, as in other animal species. During the first two weeks of life, puppies and kittens are at high risk of dehydration, hypothermia, and hypoglycemia, as well as infectious diseases as they start to acquire the physiological functions of the adult. Neonatal hepatic glycogen storage is low, and newborns depend on colostrum intake to survive. Colostrum provides immunoglobulins and other important substances such as lipids and carbohydrates. Immunoglobulins are central to the immunological link that occurs when the mother transfers passive immunity. The mechanism of transfer varies among mammalian species, but in this review, we focused our attention on dogs and cats. Furthermore, there are components of colostrum which, although their presence is not absolutely necessary, play an important role in nutrition. These components have received considerable interest because of their presumed safety and potential nutritional and therapeutic effects both in humans and animals; however, unfortunately, there are few recent studies in companion animals. Here, we have gathered the published articles that describe studies involving different species of animals, emphasizing companion animals. In particular, the purpose of this narrative of the nutritional and functional proprieties of queens’ and bitches’ colostrum.

Strategies for Hypothermia Compensation in Altricial and Precocial Newborn Mammals and Their Monitoring by Infrared Thermography

“…In particular, the nutrients present in colostrum provide water, bioactive compounds, growth factors, digestive enzymes, and immunoglobulins, and one of its main roles during the first days after birth is the supplement of energy in the form of kcal/L. Although it is said that the nutritional properties of colostrum and milk are similar during the first days of life, the energy value of colostrum can be 20–30% higher than the values registered after three days or two weeks [ 105 ]. Additionally, colostrum intake and glucose absorption prevent hypoglycemia due to the low fat and glycogen storage in newborns [ 106 ], maintaining normal glucose levels that can support thermogenesis [ 107 ].…”

Essential and Toxic Mineral Content and Fatty Acid Profile of Colostrum in Dairy Sheep

“…Ruminant colostrum has recently aroused considerable interest because of its potential nutritional and therapeutic effects also in humans [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], especially against inflammatory intestinal diseases [ 6 , 8 ]. Beyond its traditional use (e.g., a farm colostrum bank for lambs that have not been fed by their mothers) to reduce the use of antibiotics in newborns [ 9 ]), sheep colostrum can be used in human nutrition to make drinks or dietary supplements high in immunoglobulin.…”

Neonatology: Topics on Puppies and Kittens Neonatal Management to Improve Neonatal Outcome

“…The immune system of newborn dogs and cats is relatively immature and slowly reactive; thus, newborns’ immune response to various pathogens is lower than that of adult animals, making them susceptible to infections [ 57 , 58 , 59 ]. In addition, minute amounts of immunoglobulins can be transferred transplacentally to developing fetuses, approximately 5–10% in dogs and up to 25% in cats, compared to circulating titers in adult animals [ 15 ].…”