Today's Veterinary Practice

NOV-DEC 2015

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

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ToDay's VeTeriNary PracTice | November/December 2015 | tvpjournal.com acVN NuTriTioN NoTes Peer reviewed 72 Protein modifcation has been suggested for weight loss, renal disease, urolithiasis, liver failure, food allergy, and other conditions. However, no evidence exists that protein restriction in healthy, older dogs prevents disease. 8 CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF DIETARY PROTEIN Performance The nutritional needs for exercise and performance in dogs are well established. Less is known about cats as they infrequently perform vigorous exercise in competitive situations. Dogs utilize adenosine triphosphate and carbohydrate reserves for initial bursts of energy; then rely on fat for endurance. 2 excess protein is used for energy and does not increase body stores. Protein catabolism acts as a reserve of substrates for gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. Leucine administration, however, may help prevent muscle catabolism. 9 considerations for performance dogs include: • s printing dogs and most agility dogs do not require more protein than that found in most moderate protein diets (60–90 g/1000 kcal) • endurance dogs likely require around 75 g/1000 kcal protein, based on limited studies 7 • High protein, low carbohydrate diets may impair performance in some cases. 7 Weight Loss Diets with elevated amounts of protein are recommended for both overweight cats and dogs. Many veterinary diets for weight loss are formulated with increased protein (> 90 g/1000 kcal). Diets for weight management or maintenance without increased protein are not appropriate for weight loss protocols. High protein diets are associated with: • increased palatability: cats show a preference for high protein diets, while dogs prefer protein over carbohydrates when fat is reduced 10 • Preservation of lean body mass (during weight loss) 11 • Prevention of defciencies associated with limiting amino acids (when calories are signifcantly restricted) • Dietary thermogenesis: cats had higher energy expenditure when a greater number of calories came from protein 12 and, in a separate study, were able to consume 10% more food during a weight loss protocol. 13 Feline Health cats display metabolic adaptations consistent with an obligate carnivore: • Higher protein requirements • increased insulin response to amino acids • Lack of sweet taste receptors • Limited downregulation of gluconeogenesis • requirement for preformed taurine. 2 cats prefer a high dietary protein content (130 g/1000 kcal), which is consistent with diets of feral cats and the composition of rodents. 10,14,15 cats do, however, effciently absorb and utilize dietary carbohydrates in amounts commonly found in pet foods. 16 Long-term comparisons of cats fed diets with different concentrations of protein and carbohydrates are not available. While high protein diets may improve diabetic control or remission, 17 there is no association between high carbohydrate diets and obesity, the main risk factor for feline diabetes. 18 Lower Urinary Tract Disease Many therapeutic diets for lower urinary tract diseases are restricted in dietary protein. The evidence for such an approach varies by condition. Canine struvite uroliths are almost always a product of infection; protein restriction has been used in canine struvite dissolution diets to reduce urea, a substrate for urease-positive bacteria. 19 TAble 2. Species-Specifc Protein Recommendations by Life Stage 2 liFe stAges reCommenDeD AlloWAnCe oF Protein (g/1000 kcal) Canine Feline Growth (4–14 weeks) 56 56 Growth (> 14 weeks) 44 Adult maintenance 25 50 Senior 75 > 50 Late gestation & lactation 50 53 See Clinical Resources at tvpjournal.com to read: • AAFCO Defnitions for Common Pet Food Ingredients • Beyond the Guaranteed Analysis: Comparing Pet Foods

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