Small Dog Metabolism and Other Unique Characteristics
Middleton, R.P.
This paper reviews general metabolic characteristics in small dogs such as the higher metabolic rate, genetic features involving insulin-like growth factor, reduced bone density and longer lifespan as well as their uniqueness at molecular level.
Talk about the importance of doing a complete nutritional evaluation of the patient before instituting a dietary change in any patient, especially an older dog or cat. The patient evaluation, the current diet, and feeding management should be included in this edvaluation. Many diseases in senior pets, as cognitive dysfunction, osteoarthritis, and obesity are “diet-sensitive”, meaning that diet can play a role in managing the effects of the disease.
Study the gastric distension level seen during a meal, the satiety effect and whether the nutrient value of the meal was important. Gastric distension is thought to produce satiety, but whether this effect is seen during physiologic distension by food was unknown.
Review of the food allergy (FA) diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment. FA is defined as "all immune-mediated reactions following food intake". FA is a non-seasonal disease with skin and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Therapy of FA consists of avoiding the offending food component(s).