2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In the cat study, sixteen middle-aged and senior cats were fed 100% of their maintenance energy requirements (MERs) with a control diet for one week, and then were switched to the MCTcontaining diet for 28 days. Their daily activity was monitored during the feeding trial with activity monitors. In the dog study, twenty senior dogs were fed 100% of their MERs with a control diet for 6 days, and then were assigned to one of 2 MCT-containing diets with 10 dogs per diet for 27 days. Then the dogs were switched to the alternative MCT diet for 32 days. Daily activity was recorded with activity monitors during the feeding trial. In cats, the MCT-containing diet significantly increased both daytime ( Excessive weight gain is associated with metabolic and hormonal changes that predispose cats to insulin resistance and other disorders. The adipokine leptin is an important regulator of energy metabolism, and circulating leptin concentrations correlate with fat mass in cats and other species. In cats, leptin is associated with insulin resistance, independent of bodyweight. Although dietary factors such as energy density, fat content and feeding pattern increase the risk of obesity, there is limited information on how dietary factors such as feeding, fasting, and macronutrient content influence leptin concentrations in cats. The aims of this study were to compare leptin concentrations in lean, healthy cats fed diets high in protein, fat and carbohydrate, to assess associations between leptin concentrations and insulin, glucose, and NEFA concentrations, and to determine the effects of feeding pattern on baseline and postprandial leptin concentrations.