The effect of a raw vs dry diet on serum biochemical, hematologic, blood iron, B₁₂, and folate levels in Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Abstract

Background To date, very few studies have compared the effects of different types of feeding practices on canine physiology, such as feeding exclusively dry, raw, or homemade foods. Objectives We aimed to report the changes in hematologic, serum biochemical, plasma folate, B 12 , and whole blood iron levels in dogs fed two different diets. Methods A pilot study was developed to compare the effects of a heat‐processed high carbohydrate (HPHC) and nonprocessed high‐fat (NPHF) diet. A total of 33 client‐owned Staffordshire Bull Terriers were used; 18 had canine atopic dermatitis, seven were healthy, and eight were grouped as “borderline” dogs since they did not fulfill at least six of Favrot's criteria. The comparisons were made between the diet groups at the end visit of the diet intervention, as well as within the diet groups during the study. Results Significant differences between and within the diet groups were observed, although the majority of outcomes remained within the RIs. The median time of diet intervention was 140 days. Red blood cell counts, mean cell hemoglobin concentrations, and platelet counts were significantly higher, and mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell volume, alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus, and cholesterol were significantly lower in the dogs fed the NPHF diet compared with those fed the HPHC diet after the diet trial was completed. In addition, folate, B 12 , and iron decreased significantly in the NPHF diet group. Conclusions This pilot study indicated that diet had an impact on blood values, although most remained within RIs, pointing out the need for further studies.

Targeted Metabolomics With Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) Highlights Metabolic Differences in Healthy and Atopic Staffordshire Bull Terriers Fed Two Different Diets, A Pilot Study

“…The higher concentrations of B 12 comports with a higher methionine/homocysteine ratio as methylated B 12 is converted into B 12 , i.e., as its methyl group is donated to homocysteine, turning it into methionine. In the data reported by Anturaniemi et al (50), serum folate concentrations were also significantly higher in KD-fed dogs, which also plays a role in homocysteine clearance (94). In the present study, however, concentrations of folic acid, the acid form of folate, were not significantly different between diet cohorts for either urine or serum.…”

“…Although insignificant, there is a trend of higher homocysteine concentrations in both urine and in the batch 1 KD cohort (Supplementary File 21, sheets 19 and 24). In a previously reported study regarding the hematology of the canines during the diet intervention (50), it was determined that the canines in the KD-fed cohort had elevated concentrations of blood serum B 12 values. The significantly higher concentrations of methionine in the blood sera and urine of the batch 1 KD cohort ( Table 3, Supplementary Table 6) and concurrently higher B 12 serum concentrations (50) may be partially due to increased methionine synthase activity (94) as homocysteine is converted to methionine via this pathway (Figure 7).…”

“…This study is the metabolomics portion of a "nutriomics" research project, which has already been performed using a larger subset of samples from pet Staffordshire bull terriers by the DogRisk group (49,50). The aim of our pilot study was to use targeted metabolomics to understand how nutrition relates to CAD and how nutrition and the CAD condition are related to canine blood and urine metabolite concentrations and canine metabolic health in general.…”

Clinical Findings in Healthy Dogs Fed With Diets Characterized by Different Carbohydrates Sources

“…Considering the absence of clinical signs or clinicopathological alterations and the negativity as regards the mainly canine vector-borne diseases, it seems likely that the results were due to any pathological cause. There is very little data available concerning the influence of diet on hematological parameters ( 30 , 31 ) that could clarify the differences that resulted from our trial. However, it is interesting to note that in the study by Anturaniemi et al ( 31 ), higher erythrocyte counts, and hemoglobin levels occurred in dogs fed with a high protein diet when as compared to those fed on the lowest protein diet.…”

“…There is very little data available concerning the influence of diet on hematological parameters ( 30 , 31 ) that could clarify the differences that resulted from our trial. However, it is interesting to note that in the study by Anturaniemi et al ( 31 ), higher erythrocyte counts, and hemoglobin levels occurred in dogs fed with a high protein diet when as compared to those fed on the lowest protein diet. In the present study, the increased values of MCHC in dogs fed with diet which was richer in proteins than the control may corroborate the same trend, also considering that dietary protein may play a role in maintaining appropriate red blood cell indices ( 32 ).…”