A moderate fat, low-energy dry expanded diet reduces gain in body condition score when fed as part of a post neutering weight-control regimen in growing pet cats

AbstractNeutering of cats has been associated with significant weight gain in the weeks following surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate fat, low-energy dry expanded diet in reducing weight gain in growing pet cats when fed as part of a weight-control regimen over the 6 months post-neutering. Cats in participating primary care veterinary hospitals were enrolled at neutering and assigned to receive one of the two dietary treatments based on the hospital of origin. Owners of cats in the treatment group were instructed to feed the trial diet at maintenance (324·7 kJ/kg BW0·711 per d). Instructions for the control group were to feed the cat's regular diet according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Body weight and condition were evaluated by veterinarians at enrolment, 2-weeks, and 1–4 and 6 months after surgery. Body condition score (five-point scale) was compared between enrolment and each subsequent visit, controlling for enrolment age and sex. Percentage change in body weight was evaluated via multivariate mixed modelling to account for repeated measures. A total of 187 cats (eighty-seven females and 100 males) with a mean age of 5·2 (sd 0·8) months and mean weight of 2·8 (sd 0·6) kg from fifty-one hospitals completed the trial. The odds of being scored as overweight were 4·1 times as great for cats in the control v. treatment groups (95 % CI 2·1, 8·2). Percentage change in body weight differed significantly with enrolment age (P = 0·007) and approached significance between diet groups (P = 0·08). Cats fed the trial diet had a significantly reduced incidence of overweight in the 6 months following neutering.

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Effect of α-tocopherol acetate and zinc supplementation on body condition, energy metabolites and milk production in Karan Fries cows

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.8563 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pankaj Kumar Maurya ◽

Anjali Aggarwal ◽

A. K. Singh ◽

B. K. Chaudhari

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Control Group ◽

Experimental Animals ◽

Tocopherol Acetate ◽

Condition Score ◽

Karan Fries

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of α-tocopherol acetate and zinc on body condition, energy metabolites and milk production in Karan Fries cows. Sixteen pregnant Karan Fries cows were selected two months before expected date of calving. The experimental animals were randomly divided in to two groups namely control group (eight cows) and treatment group (eight cows). Treatment group cows were supplemented with α-tocopherol acetate @ 1000 IU/day/cow and zinc @ 60 ppm/day/cow. Blood samples were collected on the days -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 with respect to expected date of calving. The body weight and body condition score of all the experimental animals was recorded on the day of blood collection. After calving milk yield of the experimental animals was recorded till 60 days in milk. At parturition, body weight and body condition score differ significantly (P<0.001) in treatment group than control group (448.00 vs. 416.33 Kg and 4.42 vs. 4.17, respectively). The overall mean (±SEM) of plasma glucose was found to be significantly (P<0.001) higher in treatment group as compared to control group (62.39±1.23 vs. 57.44±1.59 mg/dl). The overall mean of non-esterified fatty acids was found to be significantly (P<0.001) lower in treatment group as compared to control group (197.10±3.38 vs. 239.21±3.48 μM/L). The overall mean of milk yield was found significantly (P<0.001) higher in treatment group as compared to control group (20.48±1.16 vs. 16.94±1.38 Kg/day i.e. 20.90%). The results of this study indicated that supplementation of antioxidants like α-tocopherol acetate and zinc have beneficial effects on milk production along with improved body condition and metabolic status of the animals.

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Effects of Two Commercial Diets on Several Reproductive Parameters in Bitches: Note Two—Lactation and Puppies’ Performance

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 173

Author(s):

Serena Calabrò ◽

Alessandro Vastolo ◽

Nadia Musco ◽

Pietro Lombardi ◽

Alessandro Troisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Condition ◽

Growth Kinetics ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Suckling Period ◽

Initial Body Weight ◽

Condition Score

The study aimed to compare two diets, Control (CTR) and Experimental (EX) (mainly differing as regards their ingredients, energy, and protein contents) administered to medium and large-sized bitches from two months before the expected proestrus and up to 30 days after delivery on mothers’ weight, body condition score, litter size, milk quality, and puppies’ growth. No differences were found for body weight during pregnancy, even if the BCS after delivery was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the EX group than in the CTR one. Concerning the size effect, the percentage of weight gain on the initial body weight was double in medium-sized dogs compared to large dogs (p < 0.01). The number of puppies per litter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the EX group compared to the CTR one. Concerning puppies’ weight, the CTR group showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight from the 21st day of life due to the significant (p < 0.01) higher daily weight gain during the suckling period. Considering the performance of bitches and puppies, both diets seem useful for these stages of their lives. In fact, after 30 days of lactation, all tested bitches showed a healthy status and both the percentage of newborns mortality and puppies’ growth kinetics fell into the normal physiological range for the species.

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EFFECT OF SHEARING DURING PREGNANCY ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE POST-PARTUM PERIOD OF EWES ON EXTENSIVE HUSBANDRY

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1089-6891v16i233219 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 217-224

Author(s):

Viviane Marques Guyoti ◽

Mariana de Souza Farias ◽

Magnus Larruscaim Dalmolin ◽

César Henrique Poli ◽

Verônica Schmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Perinatal Mortality ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Post Partum ◽

Control Group ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Condition Score ◽

Beta Hydroxybutyrate

The use of shearing during pregnancy has been described as a tool for improving productivity in sheep and for minimizing perinatal mortality in lambs through the increase of fetal development. This study assessed the effect of shearing around 74 days of gestation on the productive performance of ewes and lambs during the first month of life. Forty Corriedale ewes were inseminated in autumn in Southern Brazil. All ewes were kept together at the same pasture under extensive husbandry conditions. The ewes were randomly separated into two treatment groups: twenty animals were completely sheared at 74 ± 6 days of pregnancy, and twenty were kept without sheared during pregnancy, composing the control group. Ewes and their lambs were evaluated at three different times during the experiment: at birth, between 15 and 21 days post-partum and between 22 and 45 days post-partum. Ewes had their body condition score, body weight, placental weight, milk production and serum concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate measured, while lambs had hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma lactate and glucose, as well as body weight at birth and until wean determined. Values of hematocrit and hemoglobin were lower and body weight at birth and at wean was higher in the group of lambs born from sheared ewes. Placenta weight was higher in sheared ewes. Body condition score and beta-hydroxybutyrate showed no differences between groups. Milk production of sheared ewes (1.26 L/day) was higher than in control group (0.93 L/day). Shearing ewes at 74 days of pregnancy was efficient for the better development of lambs at post-birth, reducing perinatal mortality rates.

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The effect of nutrition before mating on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9660455 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 6 (23) ◽

pp. 455 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

P McInnes ◽

MD Smith

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Significant Relation ◽

Critical Weight ◽

Condition Score ◽

High Level

A factorially designed trial was used to study the effects of level of nutrition on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes. A high level of nutrition from three weeks before joining to conception (flushing) increased the percentage of twin births independently of the effects of previous levels of nutrition. Levels of nutrition did not affect the number of ewes that lambed. Flushing increased body weight and body condition score. Re-analysis of the results showed that there was an association between both body weight gain and body condition score and percentage of twin births. However, body weight gain and body condition score increase during flushing were associated with levels of nutrition before flushing. Although flushing increased body weight of groups at conception, on re-analysis of the results, the percentage of twin births could not be associated with weight at conception. Possible reasons for this result are suggested. As there was no indication of a significant relation between weight at conception and percentage of ewes that lambed, it is suggested that the critical weight for mating these ewes was below 38.7 kg.

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441 EFFECTS OF BYPASS LIPID SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD ON REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS IN DAIRY GOATS AFTER PARTURITION

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv22n1ab441 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 377

Author(s):

C. Carneiro ◽

J. M. G. Souza ◽

C. A. A. Torres ◽

W. J. Silva ◽

R. Denadai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Body Condition ◽

Transition Period ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Control Group ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Before And After ◽

Condition Score ◽

Lipid Supplementation

The use of lipids for nutrition supplementation during reproduction phases is called flushing and directly influences body weight and body condition score, which could alter ovulation and fertility rate. Studies have reported the effects of its use for dairy cattle, but for goats this kind of information is incipient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of bypass lipid enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (Megalac® Arm and Hammer, Church & Dwight Company, Princeton, NJ, USA) in the transition period (i.e. 3 weeks before and after parturition) on the return of ovarian activity. This study was conducted from March to May 2009, in Piau/MG (21°35′S latitude and43°15′W longitude), Brazil. Nineteen Toggenburg (n = 16) and Saanen (n = 3) goats were equally assigned according to breed, body weight, and condition score into 4 treatments: animals received 2% dry matter of fat supplementation 21 days before and after parturition (T1), only before parturition (T2), or only after parturition (T3); the control group received no supplemental fat (T4). Goats were fed a complete mixture of napier grass and corn silage in a 50:50 forage/concentration ratio 4 times daily. Transrectal ultrasonography (5-MHz transducer; Aloka SSD 500®, Tokyo, Japan) was performed daily from 10 days after parturition until detection of ovulation. Estrous onset and its duration were detected daily with a fertile buck. Statistical analysis were performed using all tests at the 95% confidence interval with a SAEG® program (Funarbe, Viçosa, Brazil). The results are presented as mean ± SD. The interval (days) from parturition to first estrus was 20.5 ± 2.2 (T1), 30.0 ± 17.4 (T2), 20.2 ± 2.1 (T3), and 19.0 ± 2.5 (T4), and to first ovulation was 26.3 ± 4.0 (T1), 22.4 ± 3.3 (T2), 24.4 ± 1.1 (T3), and 24.2 ± 3.6 (T4) (P > 0.05). The diameter of ovulatory follicles (mm) was similar (P > 0.05) for T1 (7.21 ± 0.30), T2 (6.86 ± 0.31),T3 (6.66 ± 0.27), and T4 (7.32 ± 0.64). The number of ovulations was also not different (P > 0.05) for T1 (1.5 ± 0.3),T2 (1.2 ± 0.2), T3 (1.4 ± 0.2), and T4 (1.0 ± 0.0). A negative correlation (r = -0.68; P < 0.005) was detected between body condition score at the parturition and the interval from parturition to the first estrus, as well as to the first ovulation (r = -0.48; P < 0.05). A positive correlation (r = 0.47; P < 0.05) was found between body weight on the day of ovulation and the number of ovulations. These data show the importance of body weight and condition score to reproductive performance after parturition. No significant differences were registered among all treatments on reproductive parameters for goats after this amount of lipid supplementation. There is a need for more studies to be done using different supplement concentrations in order to achieve better reproductive performances after parturition. Financial support: Embrapa Goats and Sheep, Fapemig, CNPq.

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Impact of Supplementing Feed Restricted Ewes' Diet with Propylene Glycol, Monensin Sodium and Rumen-Protected Choline Chloride During Late Pregnancy on Blood Biochemical Indices, Body Condition Score and Body Weight

Animal Feed Science and Technology ◽

10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114801 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 114801

Author(s):

Leila Ahmadzadeh-Gavahan ◽

Ali Hosseinkhani ◽

Akbar Taghizadeh ◽

Babak Ghasemi-Panahi ◽

Gholamreza Hamidian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Propylene Glycol ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Choline Chloride ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Blood Biochemical ◽

Condition Score ◽

Biochemical Indices ◽

Blood Biochemical Indices

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Physical activity level of adult cats with varied feeding frequency

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114511001863 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 106 (S1) ◽

pp. S166-S169 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ping Deng ◽

Ryan W. Grant ◽

Kelly S. Swanson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Activity Level ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Feeding Frequency ◽

Condition Score ◽

Adult Cats

The prevalence of feline obesity is influenced by numerous factors, including inactivity and overconsumption of food. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding frequency on physical activity in adult cats. A total of twelve healthy adult cats were used in a cross-over study consisting of 32 d. In each of the two periods, six cats were fed either two meals or four meals daily. Throughout the study, cats were fed the same diet at amounts to maintain body weight and body condition score. Cats were individually housed 4 h/d at each scheduled feeding time, while for the other 20 h, cats were group-housed to allow for voluntary physical activity in the room with a 16 h light–8 h dark cycle. Voluntary activity levels were evaluated using Actical activity collars for seven consecutive days in each period. Daily average activity level for two-meal-fed cats (20·04 (sem 2·19), activity counts/epoch (15 s)) was not different from four-meal-fed cats (20·14 (sem 2·15), activity counts/epoch (15 s); P>0·05). In conclusion, when group-housed cats are fed to maintain their body weight and body condition score, varied feeding frequency between twice and four times daily may not affect activity levels.

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