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JOURNAL CLUB | NUTRITION/SENIOR PETS Survey of Opinions About Nutritional Requirements of Senior Dogs and Analysis of Nutrient Profiles of Commercially Available Diets for Senior Dogs Hutchinson D, Freeman LM, Schreiner KE, Geronimo Terkla D. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 2011; 9(1):68-79. Using an online survey, the investigators in this study examined pet owner opinions about feeding senior dogs, including the age at which a dog should be considered senior, and whether and how diets for senior dogs should differ compared with diets for adult dogs. They also evaluated the formulation and label claims of 37 over-the-counter commercial foods marketed for senior dogs. The majority (84.5%) of the 1309 survey respondents answered that senior dogs had different nutritional needs when compared with adult dogs. In addition, most thought that senior foods should be reduced in calories, protein, fat, and sodium, and contain increased amounts of fiber. The review of commercially available foods, however, found wide variation in nutrient profiles, which were often in contradiction to the perceived attributes. In addition to providing insight into opinions held about feeding of senior dogs, this article will alert veterinary health professionals to the fact that the nutritional requirements of senior dogs remain undefined and consequently the products marketed as senior diets are not held to any universal standards and show considerable variation in nutrient profile. —Kathryn E. Michel, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVN, University of Pennsylvania Key Considerations r 5IJT TUVEZ FWBMVBUFE DPNQPOFOUT SFTVMUT from an online survey about feeding senior dogs and (2) comparison of 37 commercial senior dog foods. r 0G UIF TVSWFZ SFTQPOEFOUT GFMU that senior dogs had different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Most respondents thought senior foods should have more fiber, but less calories, protein, fat, and sodium. r 5IF FWBMVBUJPO PG DPNNFSDJBM TFOJPS EPH GPPET found a wide variation in nutrient profiles that often contradicted the perceived attributes from the survey results. r /VUSJUJPOBM SFRVJSFNFOUT GPS TFOJPS EPHT SFNBJO undefined and consequently, senior dog foods show considerable variation in nutrient profiles. IMAGING Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in 40 Dogs with Histologically Confirmed Intracranial Tumours Rodenas S, Pumarola M, Gaitero L, et al. The Veterinary Journal 2011; 187(1):85-91. This study looked at dogs with histologically confirmed primary or secondary brain tumors that underwent diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The data suggested that MRI can be used to diagnose the presence of brain masses and, in 89% of cases, can determine whether the mass in benign or malignant. The authors used several factors to determine malignancy on Key Considerations r 5IF TUVEZ VTFE EJBHOPTUJD .3* UP FWBMVBUF dogs with primary or secondary brain tumors. r 5VNPS UZQF XBT DPOGJSNFE WJB CJPQTZ resection, or postmortem examination. r %BUB TVHHFTUFE UIBU .3* DBO CF VTFE UP diagnose the presence of a brain mass and, in 89% of cases, can determine whether the mass is benign or malignant. r 8IJMF EJBHOPTJT PG NBMJHOBODZ XBT IJHIMZ accurate, tumor type was only correctly diagnosed in 70% of cases. MRI, such as signal intensity, contrast enhancement, necrosis, mineralization, location, and other previously published char- acteristics for each tumor type. The tumor type was confirmed via biopsy, resection, or postmortem examination. Although diagnosis of malignancy was highly accurate, the correct diagnosis of tumor type was only 70%. Overall the authors recommend a tissue biopsy for a definitive diagnosis, but the future implications for ease in diagnosing or predicting prognosis for cancer patients is intriguing. —Jennifer L. Wardlaw, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, Mississippi State University July/August 2011 Today’s Veterinary Practice 77 Commentaries on Veterinary & Medical Literature