An Assessment of the Impact of Insect Meal in Dry Food on a Dog with a Food Allergy: A Case Report

Author(s)

Cesar, Cinthia Goncalves Lenz ; Marchi, Pedro Henrique ; Amaral, Andressa Rodrigues ; de Andrade Principe, Leonardo ; do Carmo, Adrielly Aparecida ; Zafalon, Rafael Vessecchi Amorim ; Miyamoto, Nelson Nobuhiro ; Garcia, Nury Aymee Collona Rodriguez ; de Carvalho Balieiro, Julio Cesar ; Vendramini, Thiago Henrique Annibale

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMALS; v. 14, n. 19, p. 8-pg., 2024-10-01.

Abstract

Simple Summary Food allergy in dogs, primarily triggered by proteins, results in symptoms in the skin and gastrointestinal system. This case study focused on a 5-year-old female beagle weighing 12.4 kg, diagnosed with a food allergy with gastrointestinal manifestations, to assess the efficacy of black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal in controlling the condition. The protocol included two nutritionally very similar diets: the control diet, with poultry by-product meal; and the BSFL diet, completely substituting the poultry by-product meal with BSFL meal. After a 12-day adaptation period to the BSFL diet, the dog maintained an adequate fecal score and showed no gastrointestinal changes. A food challenge test with the control diet induced gastrointestinal manifestations, which were reversed within two days by reintroducing the BSFL diet. The BSFL meal may be a promising option, offering improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs with food allergies. It represents a viable, cost-effective, and beneficial alternative for dogs diagnosed with food allergies.Abstract Food allergy triggers an immune response to dietary proteins, resulting in food rejection and dermatological and gastrointestinal manifestations. The preferred therapies include diets with hydrolyzed proteins or unusual single-source proteins, with insect protein emerging as a promising option, with no reported allergic reactions in dogs with a food allergy. In this case study, the effects of including black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal were observed in a 5-year-old spayed beagle previously diagnosed with a food allergy. The objective was to assess the potential of BSFL meal as an adjunct in treating a food allergy. As part of the protocol, two nutritionally very similar diets were used, differing only in the protein source: the control diet, with poultry by-product meal; and the BSFL diet, which completely replaced the poultry by-product meal. After a 12-day adaptation period to the BSFL diet, the dog showed no gastrointestinal changes, maintaining an adequate fecal score and no clinical signs of the disease. A challenge test with the control diet resulted in episodic gastrointestinal symptoms, which were reversed within two days by reintroducing the BSFL diet. The BSFL protein-based diet was effective in controlling the dog's clinical signs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/09486-5 - Effects of different additives intake on fermentative, immunological, inflammatory, metabolic, satiety and fecal microbiota variables of obese dogs
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Marchi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 23/07307-6 - Multi-omic analysis of metabolism and microbiota of healthy and sick dogs and cats
• Grantee: Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Generation Project
• FAPESP's process: 22/06499-6 - Multi-omic analysis of metabolism and microbiota of healthy and sick dogs and cats
• Grantee: Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini
• Support Opportunities: Generation Project Research Grant