2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

This 6-month study was reviewed and approved by an animal care and use committee and veterinarians and owners were masked as to the study sponsor. To be enrolled small and medium breed dogs must have been ≥ 9 years of age and large breed dogs must have been ≥ 7 years of age with no overt evidence of major organ disease. Dogs from 17 North American veterinary hospitals were screened (physical examination, CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis) by attending veterinarians. Dogs were randomized to the test or control groups. The control group could consume any dry nontherapeutic food, excluding raw foods, of the owner's choosing and were able to switch foods at their discretion. The test food contained controlled minerals, added antioxidants including vitamin E, ascorbic acid, beta carotene and lipoic acid, sources of n6 and n3 fatty acids including chicken fat, fish oil and flax seed, carnitine and phytonutrients supplied by the inclusion of carrots, citrus pulp, spinach, tomato pomace and plant extracts. History, physical examination forms, medication records, dietary information and owner questionnaires were filled out electronically at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. Blood and urine samples were obtained at screening (T0), month 3 (T3) and month 6 (T6). Blood work results but not questionnaire results have been previously reported (Hall et al. Plos One 2016). The test group had significantly decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) from T0 vs. T3 and T6 and these were significantly lower than the control group at T3 and T6. BUN was significantly lower in the test compared to the control group at T3 and T6.