2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

We started with a prospective study of 4 healthy dogs (normal body condition). Fecal samples were collected upon voiding and divided into aliquots immediately after collection. The aliquots (in duplicate) were stored in ambient temperature or +4C before freezing at À20°C vs. À80°C. We also varied the duration in time between collection and freezing. In all samples, SCFA were measured using a dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay as previously described. All samples were thawed by batch, and kept on ice until the internal standard solution was added. We focused on the three most prevalent short chain fatty acids identified in dogs, namely propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. Results showed a linear increase in the amount of SCFA over time in between collection and the freezing process when left at room temperature. This was not observed when sampled were stored at +4°C. There was no significant difference in between samples stored at À20°C and À80°C results.