Abstract:
White blood cells and/or neutrophils in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods and devices for evaluating and tracking canine physical activity by determining for a canine (1) the duration of an activity or exercise; the speed of the activity or exercise based on the type of activity or exercise pace, e.g., walking, trotting, cantering, or running; a breed category factor to accommodate speed differences in distance travelled because of differences in body size and stride length; and an age factor and (2) calculating physical activity points (PAP) for the canine using an equation designed to accept input for the variables in (1) and use those variables to calculate PAP. The results from the equation are used to evaluate the physical activity of the canine and, based upon the evaluation, alter, if required, the canine's physical activity in a way that benefits the canine, particularly the canine's health.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods for determining if an animal's metabolism has been shifted to ketogenic status by collecting a first urine sample from the animal when the animal's metabolism is not in a ketogenic status; collecting a second urine sample from the animal when the animal's metabolism is possibly in a ketogenic status; analyzing the first urine sample and the second urine sample for beta-hydroxy butyrate; and determining that the animal's metabolism has been shifted to ketogenic status if the concentration of beta-hydroxy butyrate in the second urine sample exceeds the concentration of beta-hydroxy butyrate in the first urine sample by ten percent (10%) or more.
Abstract:
A specific bacterium in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium or to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium. The specific type of bacterium can be one or more of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, or Clostridium perfringens.
Abstract:
A pet food composition specifically formulated for a small dog can include a combination of specific amino acids and probiotics to maintain or increase absorption of amino acids. Methods of increasing absorption of amino acids are also provided.
Abstract:
Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.
Abstract:
A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.
Abstract:
Cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, or low-density lipoproteins or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, or low-density lipoproteins.
Abstract:
A specific type of organ health marker in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker. The specific type of organ health marker can be one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods for diagnosing chronic valvular disease in an animal. The methods comprise obtaining a sample from the animal; analyzing the sample for the presence of one or more metabolites associated with chronic valvular disease; comparing the amount of each such metabolite identified in the sample to a corresponding amount of the same metabolite present in a sample from one or more comparable control animals that do not suffer from chronic valvular disease; and using said comparison to diagnose chronic valvular disease in the animal if the metabolites found in the animal's sample is greater than or less than the amount present in the control animal's sample.