Effects in dogs with behavioural disorders of a commercial nutraceutical diet on stress and neuroendocrine parameters.

Vet Rec. January 2017;180(1):18.

S Sechi¹, A Di Cerbo², S Canello³, G Guidetti⁴, F Chiavolelli⁵, F Fiore⁶, R Cocco⁷

¹ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; ² Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Specialization in Clinical Biochemistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.; ³ Research and Development Department, Forza10 USA Corp., 10142 Canopy Tree Ct. 32836 Orlando, Florida, USA.; ⁴ Research and Development Department, Forza10 USA Corp., 10142 Canopy Tree Ct. 32836 Orlando, Florida, USA.; ⁵ Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125 Modena, Italy.; ⁶ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; ⁷ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.

British Veterinary Association.

Abstract

The well-being of dogs can be affected by changes in human lifestyle, eating habits and increased stressors that lead to behavioural disorders including fear, hyperactivity and anxiety, followed by negative affective moods and poor welfare. This randomised, controlled clinical evaluation involved 69 dogs, 38 males and 31 females, of different breeds, with behavioural disorders related to anxiety and chronic stress. They were fed a control diet or a nutraceutical diet (ND group) for 45 days. Neuroendocrine (serotonin, dopamine, β-endorphins, noradrenaline and cortisol) and stress (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP)) parameters related to behavioural disorders were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study period. Results showed a significant increase in serotonin, dopamine and β-endorphins plasma concentrations (*P<0.05, *P<0.05 and **P<0.01, respectively) and a significant decrease in noradrenaline and cortisol plasma concentrations in the ND group (*P<0.05). dROMs significantly decreased in the ND group (*P<0.05) while BAP was not affected. This study demonstrated for the first time that a specific diet significantly and positively affected neuroendocrine parameters and dROMs. These results open significant perspectives concerning the use of diet and nutraceuticals in the treatment of behavioural disorders.

Keywords

Neuroendocrine parameters*; anxiety*; behavioral disorders*; chronic stress*; nutraceutical diet*; stress parameters*;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Comments:

Comment In Vet Rec. 2017 May 13;180(19):476-477
Comment In Vet Rec. 2017 May 13;180(19):476

Archives Highlights:

The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds.
Most dachshunds with 1 FGF4L2 copy have radiographic disc calcification scores that are associated with substantially lower risk of symptomatic disc disease. Radiographic disc calcification scores are similar in dachshunds with 0 and 1 FGF4L2 copies. Given the high allele frequency of FGF4L2, breeding to produce progeny with 1 FGF4L2 copy is expected to be a more achievable short-term goal for dachshund spinal health breeding programs than breeding for 0 copies. It is recommended that both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype status be considered when choosing dachshund breeding stock.

Clinical characterization of a novel episodic ataxia in young working Cocker Spaniels.
The mean age at clinical onset was 4 months. Signs were acute and included episodic body swaying, titubation, cerebellar ataxia, wide-base stance, and hypermetria, all while mentation remained unaltered. Duration of episodes ranged from 30 minutes up to 24 hours, and their frequency varied from weekly to once every 5 months.

Case Series: Computed Tomography Features of Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in Six Dogs.
Although the presence of intralesional mineralization is not a pathognomonic finding, it was consistently identified in the present case series. Therefore, exOSA should be considered in the differential diagnosis when mineralization occurs in a mass unrelated to osseous structures.

Prevalence of Encephalitozoon hellem among companion and exhibition birds in Japan.
Although microsporidia can rarely cause severe systemic infections, including hepatitis, nephritis, and enteritis in young birds, most infected birds are subclinical and thought to recover spontaneously after a period of temporary spore shedding if they do not have immunosuppression. Microsporidia can cause self-limiting infection in immunocompetent humans and life-threatening chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.

Computed tomography findings of nasal cryptococcosis in Australia (2008-2020): 12 dogs and 9 cats.
Dogs were more likely to have a nasal mass, whereas cats were more likely to have a nasopharyngeal mass. Cribriform plate lysis was common in dogs, but not observed in cats. Sinonasal osteolysis was a common feature in both species. Mandibular lymph nodes were commonly enlarged in dogs, whereas in cats, the retropharyngeal lymph nodes were more likely enlarged.