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.
Issue link: http://todaysveterinarypractice.epubxp.com/i/815220
83 A special section to Today's Veterinary Practice | May/June PREVENTION compare costs on a "per bag or can" basis. We determined the costs of both VTD and OTC diets on a per 100 kcal basis for comparison, because calories consumed per day is the best common measure across all diets. VTD can be competitively priced when compared per 100 kcal. We suggest, however, that comparisons be simplified across the pet food industry by employing common bag and can sizes. PREVENTION, NOT JUST TREATMENT It has been reported that >50% of the US pet population is overweight. 8 Prescribing VTD with known kcal/kg density along with exact feeding plans can be used to help prevent excess weight gain in at-risk pets. We recommend owners use a gram scale for weighing canned and dry foods, similar to human weight management plans, to deliver exact daily caloric intake. This also allows precise intake adjustments as the pet grows, is neutered, and ages (BOX 2) . We also use VTD, especially those formulated for GI disease, orthopedic disease, and adverse food reactions, for patients who are "at risk" for chronic disease states. For instance, we have used VTD in breeds of dogs at risk for developmental orthopedic disease, obesity, and immunologic adverse food reactions. We use VTD in cats at risk for obesity and urinary tract disease because of neutering and environmental conditions (eg, indoor versus outdoor, single cat versus multicat household). As VTD have more similar, moderate, and complete and known nutrient profiles along with company support, we encourage practitioners to recommend these diets for adult maintenance and growth. In our opinion, better quality control, fatty acid balance, and reported higher digestibility of VTD make these diets better nutrition for pets. REFERENCES 1. Polzin DJ. Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2013;23:205-215. 2. Bartges JW, Budsberg SC, Pazak HE, et al. Effects of different n6:n3 fatty acid ratio diets on canine stifle osteoarthritis. Orthopedic Research Society 47th Annual Meeting 2001. 3. Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. JAVMA 2011;239:1441-1451. 4. Sparkes AH. Feeding old cats—an update on new nutritional therapies. Top Companion Anim Med 2011;26:37-42. 5. Raditic DM, Remillard RL, Tater KC. ELISA testing for common food antigens in four dry dog foods used in dietary elimination trials. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2011;95:90-97. 6. Willis-Mahn C, Remillard R, Tater K. ELISA testing for soy antigens in dry dog foods used in dietary elimination trials. JAAHA 2014;50:383-389. 7. Parr JM, Remillard RL. Common confounders of dietary elimination trials contain the antigens soy, pork, and beef. JAAHA 2014;50:298-304. 8. Larsen JA, Villaverde C. Scope of the problem and perception by owners and veterinarians. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2016;46:761-772. 9. Bartges JW, Kirk CA, Lauten S. Calculating a patient's nutritional requirements. Vet Med 2004;99:632. 10. Root MV, Johnston SD, Olson PN. Effect of prepuberal and postpuberal gonadectomy on heat production measured by indirect calorimetry in male and female domestic cats. Am J Vet Res 1996;57:371-374. 11. Jeusette I, Daminet S, Nguyen P, et al. Effect of ovariectomy and ad libitum feeding on body composition, thyroid status, ghrelin and leptin plasma concentrations in female dogs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2006;90:12-18. 12. Bermingham EN, Thomas DG, Cave NJ, et al. Energy requirements of adult dogs: a meta-analysis. PLoS One 2014;9:e109681. 13. Morrison R, Penpraze V, Greening R, et al. Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in dogs. Vet J 2014;199:263-267. Puppy (4.5 kg) Resting energy requirement (RER) 9 : 218 kcal × 1.6 (growth) = 349 kcal/day Diet: Dry GI VTD containing 3594 kcal/kg (3.6 kcal/g) Amount to feed: 349 kcal/3.6 kcal/g = 97 g/day Feeding plan: Feed 32 g of dry GI VTD 3 times/day Neutered adult (11 kg)* RER: 423 kcal × 1.2 (adult maintenance) = 508 kcal/day Diet: Dry GI VTD containing 3594 kcal/kg (3.6 kcal/g) Amount to feed: 508 kcal/3.6 kcal/g = 141 g/day Feeding plan: Feed 70 g of dry GI VTD 2 times/day Overweight (BCS 6/9) neutered adult (13 kg) maintained on dry GI VTD** RER: 479 kcal × 1 = 479 kcal/day Diet: Dry GI VTD containing 3594 kcal/kg (3.6 kcal/g) Amount to feed: 479 kcal/3.6 kcal/g = 133 g/day Feeding plan: Feed 66 g of dry GI VTD 2 times/day Overweight (BCS 8/9) neutered adult (13 kg) switched to dry weight-loss VTD** RER: 479 kcal × 0.8 = 383 kcal/day Diet: Dry weight-loss VTD containing 3000 kcal/kg (3.0 kcal/g) Amount to feed: 479 kcal/3.0 kcal/day = 127 g/day Feeding plan: Feed 64 g of dry weight-loss VTD 2 times/day BOX 2 Example of Lifetime Change in Nutritional Requirements *Caloric intake will need to be adjusted with growth and then again when a pet is neutered. 10,11 **Weight increase may be related to breed risk or individual inactivity. 12,13