Increased protein intake and biochemical and metabolic variables of dogs with portosystemic shunt

• Grant number: 19/27578-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Antonio Brunetto
• Grantee: Bruno Couto Magalhães Camargo Barbosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Portosystemic shunt (PSS) is the presence of a anomalous vessel that diverts blood from the portal circulation to the systemic circulation, which could result in clinical manifestations, such as Hepatic Encephalopathy, the main concern. The nutritional management associated with the therapeutic treatment is the main key to improve the clinical condition, and often, the main long term recommendation. The treatment aims to reduce the absorption of toxic compounds mainly through changes in quantity and quality of dietary protein. As hydrolyzed protein has a higher digestibility, it is possible that this could generate fewer toxic compounds and therefore allowing the inclusion of more protein in the diet of dogs with PSS, which hasn't been evaluated yet. This study aims to evaluate the consequences of a higher protein intake in dogs with PSS, hydrolyzed protein based. For the enrolment in the study, 12 dogs with PSS will be considered. The animals will be randomly divided into two groups: Hep - Six dogs that will receive a therapeutic dry hepatic diet, soy protein based, 15,7% of crude protein composing the dry matter; and Hid - six animals that will receive dog food hydrolyzed soy protein based, 24,7% of crude protein composing the dry matter. At the end of the 60 days with the diet of each group, a physical examination will be performed, including weighing, body condition score and muscle condition score determination, blood collection for ammonia, albumin and aminoacid serum profile measurement. Statistical tests will be performed in order to compare the obtained results between the groups. (AU)