Influence of Breed Size, Age, Fecal Quality, and Enteropathogen Shedding on Fecal Calprotectin and Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Puppies During the Weaning Period

Grellet, A.; Heilmann, R.M.; Polack, B.; Feugier, A.; Boucraut-Baralon, C.; Grandjean, D.; Grützner, N.; Suchodolski, J. S.; Steiner, J.M.; Chastant-Maillard, S.

A total of 70 purebred puppies from 18 litters from 10 different breeding kennels were included. Each puppy was identified by a colored collar and its age and breed were recorded. Depending on the mean adult body weight of their respective breed, puppies were categorized into 2 groups (small breed if the mean adult body weight was <25 kg; otherwise large breed). For each puppy, fecal consistency was evaluated by a single operator using a 13-point scale, based on the texture and shape of the feces (from liquid to hard and dry). 6 Fresh feces were collected and weighed for each dog. If the stool volume defecated was sufficient (≥15 g), stools were separated into 3 aliquots, 1 for fecal moisture evaluation and 2 for measurement of fecal calprotectin and IgA concentrations. Water content of the stools was determined by weighing feces before and after lyophilization. 30 Calprotectin and IgA were quantified by inhouse radioimmunoassays after extraction, as previously described. 22, 32, 34 All samples were analyzed using the same batch of tracer and reagents. To correct for fecal moisture, results for each marker were expressed as concentrations in fresh feces and also normalized to dry matter.