Objectives From the authors' experience, the consumption of a balanced prescription home-prepared diet that includes zucchini (courgette) benefits cats with recurrent urolithiasis, but there is no published evidence to support this. The aim was to study the effects on urinary parameters of (1) a balanced prescription home-prepared diet containing zucchini, and (2) the addition of zucchini to a dry food, compared with two commercial therapeutic diets. Methods Eight healthy cats were included in a Latin-square designed protocol. Five diets were evaluated: two commercial diets, designed for cats with urinary disorders, one high-moisture (U-WET) and one high-sodium dry (U-DRY); one home-prepared diet (HOME); one commercial dry food for adult maintenance (DRY); and DRY given together with 10 g of zucchini per kg body weight (DRY-Zuc). After a 7-day adaptation period, urine was collected and daily food and water intakes were assessed for 12 days. Urinary parameters, and relative supersaturation (RSS) for calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite, were determined. Data underwent repeated measures ANOVA analysis. Results The digestibility of energy, dry matter, protein and fat was highest with the HOME diet. CaOx RSS was lowest in cats eating the HOME diet, but not significantly different from the U-WET or U-DRY diets. CaOx RSS was lower in cats eating the DRY-Zuc diet than in cats eating the DRY diet. Struvite RSS did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusions and relevance This study shows that a balanced prescription home-prepared diet was safe and allowed a very low urinary CaOx RSS. It also showed that adding zucchini to dry food lowered the urine CaOx RSS.

Ferrets have become a common companion animal. But no data are available on the French population of ferrets. The goal of the survey was to characterise this population, including demographic characteristics, husbandry, reported medical care and feeding habits. Complete data were available for 1205 pet ferrets in 709 households. Most ferrets (86·1 %) lived indoors, 1 % received only artificial lighting, and 47 % chewed their cage. For 60 % of the ferrets, body weight was higher in winter and lower in summer. Neutered ferrets (58·5 % of males and 62·9 % of females) appeared lighter than intact ferrets of comparable age. A majority (52·4 %) of ferrets received a mix of commercial foods and fresh foods, but 28·6 % were offered no commercial foods. Data were analysed using several multivariable logistic regression models including age, sex, castration, food type and artificial lighting developed for four clinical outcome (lethargy and/or insulinoma, dental problems, diarrhoea and/or bird-seed stools and alopecia). Predictors of four clinical outcomes (lethargy, dental disease, diarrhoea and alopecia) were examined using multivariable logistic regression, with age, sex, neuter status, food type and artificial lighting as the exposure variables. Aged ferrets were more likely to have lethargy, insulinoma, dental problems and alopecia. Ferrets with artificial lighting were more likely to show alopecia. Additionally, ferrets fed commercial food only or a mixed diet (both commercial food and fresh food) were more likely to have lethargy, insulinoma, dental problems, diarrhoea and/or bird-seed stools compared with ferrets fed fresh food only. We also found a significant association between neutering and alopecia. It is to our knowledge the first description of the French population of the ferret as a companion animal.

Cats are obligate carnivores adapted to high-protein diets, but are commonly fed diets rich in carbohydrate. The aim of this study was to examine the food intake choices of cats when diets with different protein and carbohydrate contents were offered. Thirty-nine cats participated in voluntary dietary intake studies. Four foods were formulated to provide between 24% and 53% of metabolizable energy as protein, between 43% and 11% as carbohydrate and holding dietary fat constant with a contribution of approximately 36%. Foods were offered either singly to evaluate voluntary food intake or in pairs to compare food intake between pairs of diets. Cats regulated their macronutrient intake to attain an overall diet composition that provided 53% of metabolizable energy as protein, 11% as carbohydrate and 36% as fat. The protein contribution corresponded to approximately 6 g of protein/kg body weight/day. High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets were always eaten preferentially over low-protein/high-carbohydrate foods. When low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets were offered, cats limited their food intake to limit daily carbohydrate intake to less than 3 g of carbohydrate/kg body weight. This carbohydrate ceiling may limit protein and even energy intake when only low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets were offered. The inclusion of palatability enhancer in the diets increased food intake but did not change protein or carbohydrate intake patterns, indicating that macronutrient intake can be regulated regardless of the use of palatability enhancers in cats. We conclude that cats can discriminate between diets based on macronutrient composition and regulate their intake to maintain maximal protein intake but limit carbohydrate intake.

Background: Grape and blueberry extracts are known to protect against age-related cognitive decline. However, beneficial effects achieved by mixing grape and blueberry extracts have yet to be evaluated in dogs, or their bioavailability assessed. Of concern to us were cases of acute renal failure in dogs, after their ingestion of grapes or raisins. The European Pet Food Industry Federation (2013) considers only the grape or raisin itself to be potentially dangerous; grape-seed extracts per-se, are not considered to be a threat. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the renal and hepatic safety, and measure plasma derivatives of a polyphenol-rich extract from grape and blueberry (PEGB; from the Neurophenols Consortium) in dogs. Polyphenol expression was analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS over 8 hours, for dogs given PEGB at 4 mg/kg. Safety was evaluated using four groups of 6 dogs. These groups received capsules containing no PEGB (control), or PEGB at 4, 20, or 40 mg/kg BW/d, for 24 weeks. Blood and urine samples were taken the week prior to study commencement, then at the end of the 24-wk study period. Routine markers of renal and liver damage, including creatinine (Creat), blood urea nitrogen, albumin, minerals, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured. Biomarkers for early renal damage were also evaluated in plasma (cystatin C (CysC), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)), and urine (CysC, clusterin (Clu), and NGAL). Ratios of urinary biomarkers to Creat were calculated, and compared with acceptable maximal values obtained for healthy dogs, as reported in the literature.Results: While several PEGB-specific polyphenols and metabolites were detected in dog plasma, at the end of the PEGB consumption period, our biomarker analyses presented no evidence of either renal or liver damage (Creat, BUN, ionogram, albumin and ALT, ALP). Similarly, no indication of early renal damage could be detected. Plasma CysC, urinary CysC/Creat, Clu/Creat, and NGAL/Creat ratios were all beneath reported benchmarked maximums, with no evidence of PEGB toxicity.Conclusions: Long-term consumption of a pet specific blend of a polyphenol-rich extract from grape and blueberry (PEGB; from the Neurophenols Consortium), was not associated with renal or hepatic injury, and can therefore be considered safe.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for the severity of Juvenile OsteoChondral Conditions (JOCC) in limbs of French foals. Twenty-one farms in Normandy, France, were sampled and enrolled in a cohort study including 378 foals from three breeds, followed from the 8th month of pregnancy of the mares until the foals were approximately 6 months old. Data on growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions were regularly collected. The carpus, the front and hind digits, the hock and the stifle of the foals were radiographed at the end of follow-up. JOCC severity in each foal was described using a global appraisal of its osteoarticular status (OAS) depending on the number and the severity of radiographic findings. Of the 378 foals, 53% had a good OAS, 34% had an intermediate OAS and 13% had a poor OAS. The breed (Selle Français and French Trotter Standardbred vs. Thoroughbred), a high girth perimeter at early age and an irregular exercise were significantly associated with a poor OAS. This study contributes to the understanding of the development of JOCC. An increased growth and reduced or irregular physical activity during the first weeks of life would be responsible for more severe lesions. Growth and exercise conditions should be carefully monitored to reduce the prevalence of severe JOCC in foals.

After wide considerations of the foal's growth in the early 2000's, recent publications concerning breeding have focused on a variety of topics that we'll consider in the chronology of breeding. Starting with mares and stallions, the potential interactions of nutrition and fertility can be examined considering the athlete or racing career on one hand, and the body condition and metabolism on the other hand. The relationship between nutrition and the oestrus cycle and fertility, especially in the maiden mare is an interesting and practical approach. Then the interaction between the mare's nutrition and the foal's metabolism has been studied. The third topic is on the selenium supplementation of the stallion or the mare, and the consequences on the foal's health. Clinical nutrition will close this review.

The incidence of overweight in cats has been reported in various studies to range between 6 and 52% depending on such factors as gender, neutering, age, being cross-bred, living in a single or two-cat household, no dog living in the household, inactivity, feeding fresh meat or fish, eating a premium or therapeutic food, distribution of food on a free choice basis and owner underestimation of their cat's body weight or body condition (BC). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and to determine the risk factors associated with excess body weight, including owners' perception of their cat's BC in the studied population. Between March and June 2006, all owners presenting healthy cats for vaccination at the National Veterinary School of Alfort were questioned by a veterinarian using a standardised and validated questionnaire. Owners and veterinarians gave an oral evaluation of the cat's BC first verbally and then by comparison with a legend free visual scale. Univariate analysis was performed for all variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to variables strongly associated with overweight or regarded as major risk factors. On a total population of 385 cats, 19.0% were found to be overweight and 7.8% to be obese. The evaluation of overweight cats' BC by their owner was better with the visual scale than with the verbal description. This study confirmed earlier reports identifying being male, neutering, and underestimation of the cat's BC by the owner, as risk factors for being overweight.

Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome) is the most common form of liver disease in cats. Especially in obese cats, it occurs subsequent to a period of anorexia because of an underlying disease or stressors such as a change in food or lifestyle. Jaundice, increased liver enzymes, and hyperechogenicity of the liver in a cat with recent, rapid weight loss are typical findings. Diagnosis is confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology and/or liver biopsy. Absent irreversible underlying disease, the prognosis for complete recovery is good provided that nutritional support is instituted early.

Veterinary RecordVolume 162, Issue 3 p. 92-93 Short Communication Phalangeal hyperostosis due to nutritional imbalance in three yearlings C. Robert DVM, PhD, C. Robert DVM, PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorJ-P. Valette PhD, J-P. Valette PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorB-M. Paragon DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN, B-M. Paragon DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN Unité de Nutrition, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons Alfort Cedex, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorJ-M. Denoix DVM, PhD, J-M. Denoix DVM, PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorG. Blanchard DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN, G. Blanchard DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN Unité de Nutrition, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons Alfort Cedex, FranceSearch for more papers by this author C. Robert DVM, PhD, C. Robert DVM, PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorJ-P. Valette PhD, J-P. Valette PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorB-M. Paragon DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN, B-M. Paragon DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN Unité de Nutrition, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons Alfort Cedex, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorJ-M. Denoix DVM, PhD, J-M. Denoix DVM, PhD UMR INRA-ENVA de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du ChevalSearch for more papers by this authorG. Blanchard DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN, G. Blanchard DVM, PhD, DiplECVCN Unité de Nutrition, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons Alfort Cedex, FranceSearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 January 2008 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.3.92Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume162, Issue3January 2008Pages 92-93 RelatedInformation

A 6-year-old, spayed female rottweiler was presented for facial enlargement from swelling of the maxilla and mandible. The dog was fed a homemade diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, suggesting that rubber jaw syndrome was a secondary nutritional disorder. Radiographic and tomodensitometric examinations revealed diffuse bone resorption in the skull. The plasma parathormone concentration was high, and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration was low. Based on these findings, nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Dietary correction resulted in clinical and biological improvement, with an increase in skull mineralization.

The formation of crystals in cats depends on the balance of different minerals present in the urine. This level is modified by the cat's lifestyle (sedentary, mode of feeding and drinking) and the composition of the water and the food. After removal of urinary obstruction, a diet adapted to prevent calcium oxalate and ammoniacomagnesium phosphate crystals should be instigated while awaiting results of crystal analysis and choice of a more suitable diet. For ammoniacomagnsium phosphate crystals, the urine must be acidified. However, there is no protocol for dissolution of oxalate crystals, which must be removed surgically and the urine alkalinised.

Anorexia in obese cats may result in feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL). This study was designed to determine plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles in queens at different stages during experimental induction of FHL (lean, obese, FHL), and after 10 weeks of treatment. Results were compared with those obtained from lean queens of same age fed the same diet but at a maintenance level, once a day. Hepatic lipidosis led to an increase in plasma triacylglycerol (TG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), and an enrichment of LDL with TG and of high density lipoprotein (HDL) with cholesterol, suggesting that VLDL secretion is enhanced, VLDL and LDL catabolism is lowered, and lipoprotein exchanges are impaired in FHL. This study also showed that cholesterolaemia is increased in cats fed at a dietary rhythm of one meal per day compared to ad libitum feeding.

L'alimentation du chiot et du chaton determine l'harmonie de leur croissance et donc de leur vie d'adulte. Un certain nombre d'erreurs sont a proscrire, comme celle qui consiste a fournir un aliment pour adulte. Destransitions progressives, lors de changement d'aliment, permettent d'eviter les troubles digestifs, voire l'anorexie. Il convient d'adapter les quantites fournies aux besoins energetiques de l'animal afin de prevenir le risque d'obesite. L'alimentation du chaton doit aussi etre controlee car, bien que carnivore, il a besoin de rations equilibrees et non d'un regime "tout viande". La sterilisation influe egalement sur le besoin calorique, qui diminue de 20 % apres l'intervention. Si la qualite des aliments industriels est en general satisfaisante, la mise au point d'une ration menagere equilibree est envisageable.