Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth
Autor: | Beth Hamper, Joseph W. Bartges, Claudia A. Kirk |
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Rok vydání: | 2016 |
Předmět: |
Male
Taurine Globulin 040301 veterinary sciences medicine.disease_cause 0403 veterinary science chemistry.chemical_compound Feces medicine Animals Food science Cooking Small Animals Whole blood CATS biology Microcytosis 0402 animal and dairy science Albumin 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences Clostridium perfringens medicine.disease 040201 dairy & animal science Animal Feed Diet Treatment Outcome chemistry Animals Newborn biology.protein Cats Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena Female |
Zdroj: | Journal of feline medicine and surgery. 19(4) |
ISSN: | 1532-2750 |
Popis: | Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if two raw feline diets were nutritionally adequate for kittens. Methods Twenty-four 9-week-old kittens underwent an Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) 10 week growth feeding trial with two raw diet groups and one cooked diet group (eight kittens in each). Morphometric measurements (weight, height and length), complete blood counts, serum chemistry, whole blood taurine and fecal cultures were evaluated. Results Overall, the growth parameters were similar for all diet groups, indicating the two raw diets used in this study supported feline growth, within the limitations of an AAFCO growth feeding trial. Kittens fed the raw diets had lower albumin ( P = 0.010) and higher globulin ( P = 0.04) levels than the kittens fed the cooked diet. These lower albumin levels were not clinically significant, as all groups were still within normal age reference intervals. A red cell microcytosis ( P = 0.001) was noted in the combination raw diet group. Increases in fecal Clostridium perfringens were noted in all groups, along with positive fecal Salmonella serovar Heidelberg and Clostridium difficile toxin in the combination raw diet group. Conclusions and relevance The majority of the parameters for feline growth were similar among all groups, indicating the two raw diets studied passed an AAFCO growth trial. In theory, it is possible to pass an AAFCO growth trial but still have nutrient deficiencies in the long term due to liver and fat storage depots. Some of the raw feeders had elevated globulin and microcytosis, likely associated with known enteropathogenic exposure. Disease risks to both pets and owners are obvious. Additional research in this area is needed to investigate the impact of raw diets on the health of domestic cats. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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