Claudia A Kirk

• University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs is typically managed with a low-fat diet. Human research suggests that consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) may lessen pancreatic enzyme release compared to consumption of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Twelve healthy adult colony dogs were fed a meal of cod and rice with either 3% metabolizable energy (ME) f...

The aim of this 29-week randomized, positively and negatively controlled study was to investigate whether a nutraceutical containing 1 g leucine and 13 mg pyridoxine can enhance weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass in obese dogs. Twenty-four healthy, 2-year-old beagles were initially divided into obesification (n = 18) or ideal body weigh...

Objectives: The objectives for this study were to compare the body composition of adult indoor neutered domestic cats with outdoor intact cats with an ideal body condition score using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and to report the body composition findings of free-roaming cats, as this has not been previously reported. Most domestic house cat...

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in dogs and, as in humans, cost of care has increased due to associated comorbidities. In humans, asymptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) may be more prevalent in the obese. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) is the term used when UTI are asymptomatic. We hypothesized that morbidly obese dogs are similarly mo...

UTI obesity full dataset Subject signalment, BCS, and urinalysis findings.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if two raw feline diets were nutritionally adequate for kittens. Methods: Twenty-four 9-week-old kittens underwent an Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) 10 week growth feeding trial with two raw diet groups and one cooked diet group (eight kittens in each). Morphometri...

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate overall dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat and gross energy digestibility of a feline commercial raw diet and a homemade raw diet compared with a canned heat-processed diet. Methods: Six domestic shorthair kittens (20-28 weeks old) were fed three different diets in a Latin square...

Adiponectin is an important anti-inflammatory hormone secreted from adipose tissue. The high-molecular-weight form of adiponectin (HMW) closely correlates with insulin sensitivity in human beings. This study uses a novel method of size-exclusion gel chromatography combined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure HMW feline adiponectin and...

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs. Design: Prospective evaluation study. Animals: 83 overweight or obese dogs ≥ 1 year of age. Procedures: Body condition score (BCS) was assessed on a 5-point scale, mor...

Objective: To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) system to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese cats. Design: Prospective evaluation study. Animals: 76 overweight or obese cats ≥ 1 year of age. Procedures: Body condition score (BCS) was determined with a 5-point...

Objective: To evaluate the influence of acidifying or alkalinizing diets on bone mineral density and urine relative supersaturation (URSS) with calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy cats. Animals: 6 castrated male and 6 spayed female cats. Procedures: 3 groups of 4 cats each were fed diets for 12 months that differed only in acidifying or al...

Hyperthyroidism is common among older cats, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Siamese and Himalayan cats have a reduced risk of hyperthyroidism compared with domestic short-hair cat breeds. A mechanism of risk reduction in pointed-coat breeds is unknown. To determine if tyrosine, phenylalanine, iodine, or selenium blood concentrations...

American black bears (Ursus americanus) have been shown to become transiently insulin resistant and hypothyroid during winter, but no studies have investigated these changes in long-term captive bears or in bears which remain awake year-round. Wild, captive hibernating, and captive nonhibernating bears were evaluated at times corresponding to three...

Food-seeking behaviors exhibited by cats during weight loss programs are frustrating to owners. Two categories of therapeutic weight loss diets are available for cats: High Fiber (HF) and Low Carbohydrate (LC). The objective of this study was to determine if cat owners perceive a difference in satiety when their cats are fed either a HF or LC diet...

The incidence of canine obesity appears to be increasing dramatically and understanding factors impacting the amount of food pet owners provide their dogs may improve weight management. Human research has shown the size of food bowls, plates and utensils can significantly impact the amount of food portioned and consumed. This effect can be attribut...

Problem statement: Adiponectin is a hormone expressed from adipose tissue in people, rodents and dogs. Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory action with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and insulin sensitivity. With increasing fat mass, adiponectin concentrations paradoxically decrease. Adiponectin's role in metabolism and diabetes mellitus...

To compare blood glucose concentrations measured with 2 portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) validated for use in dogs (PBGM-D) and humans (PBGM-H) and an automated chemistry analyzer. Validation study. 92 samples of fresh whole blood and plasma from 83 dogs with various diseases. Each PBGM was used to measure whole blood glucose concentration, an...

As more is learned about the role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ, it becomes clear that maintaining proper body fat mass is critical for good health. The deleterious effects of excessive amounts of adipose tissue have been implicated in numerous disorders in cats.

Increasing evidence implicates oxidative damage in the progression and pathologic complications of human diabetics. This study assessed antioxidant status and oxidative stress in cats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Antioxidant status was measured in diabetic (n = 10) and control (n = 10) cats by HPLC of vitamin E isomers, reduced (GSH) and oxidized g...

A privately owned, obese, adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) presented with polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and increased appetite. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed based on laboratory findings, including hyperglycemia and glucosuria. As a result of the raccoon's age and obesity at the onset of clinical signs, the raccoon was thought to have ty...

We investigated hepatic gene expression in dogs with experimentally induced nutritional iron deficiency (ID). Our hypothesis was that ID would result in decreased hepcidin gene expression, and possibly in altered expression of other genes associated with iron metabolism. Liver biopsies were collected from each of 3 dogs before induction of ID, at t...

L-Asparaginase (Elspar(a)), is an Escherichia coli-derived enzyme that depletes lymphoma cells of asparagine, inhibiting protein synthesis and resulting in cell death. The single agent response rate in cats with lymphoma and impact of L-asparaginase on plasma amino acid concentrations is unknown. L-Asparaginase significantly reduces plasma asparagi...

Adiponectin is a hormone secreted from adipose tissue that closely associates with insulin resistance. In contrast to other adipokines, adiponectin levels decrease as fat mass increases. The ability to measure adiponectin in veterinary species will allow researchers to assess hormone function and may lead to improved screening tests and treatments...

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of dirlotapide, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, on apparent nutrient digestibility of an expanded dry dog food, on defecation frequency and fecal consistency. Eighteen beagles were randomized to either placebo (n = 6) or dirlotapide (n = 12). Testing was divided into a...

The purpose of this study was to characterize light and electron microscopic findings from 9 dogs that had consumed aflatoxin-contaminated commercial dog food from recalled batches. Four dogs died and 5 were euthanized after signs of liver failure. Analysis of feed and liver samples confirmed exposure to aflatoxin. Of the 9 dogs, 8 had classic sign...

Prednisolone (10 mg PO q24h) or placebo was administered to healthy cats for 2 weeks in a masked, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. When cats received prednisolone, 24-hour urine pH was lower and 24-hour urine excretion of creatinine, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium was higher than when cats r...

Hydrochlorothiazide (1 mg/kg PO q12h) or placebo was administered to healthy cats for 2 weeks in a masked, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. When cats received hydrochlorothiazide, 24-hour urine volume, ammonia, chloride, creatinine, magnesium, oxalic acid, phosphate, potassium, and sodium were si...

This study used 36 cats with varying renal insufficiency and physiologic status to evaluate the effect of a food high in sodium chloride (HSC) compared with a low sodium chloride (LSC) food on selected blood parameters and blood pressure. Cats eating the HSC food had an increase in serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and phosphorus compared with cats...

Treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the cat relies primarily on the adequate insulin therapy and controlled dietary intake. The goals of managing DM in the cat have changed from attaining glycemic control to achieving diabetic remission (transient diabetes) in a large proportion of cases. Remission rates of up to 68% have been published. The use...

Lower urinary tract disease occurs commonly in cats and is often associated with crystal-related disease. Dietary modification is beneficial in managing some of these diseases, including idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis, and urethral matrix-crystalline plugs. Altering dietary formulation may result in decreasing urinary concentrations of crystallo...

Objective —To determine whether a renal diet modified in protein, phosphorus, sodium, and lipid content was superior to an adult maintenance diet in minimizing uremic episodes and mortality rate in cats with stage 2 or 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Design —Double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Animals —45 client-owned cats with sp...

Reticulocyte indices, especially reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CH retic), have shown promise as markers of iron deficiency (ID), but there have been no prospective investigations of reticulocyte indices in experimental models of ID. The objective of this study was to compare reticulocyte indices with conventional hematologic and biochemical indi...

a was notified by the attend- ing veterinarian, and necropsy of the dogs was per- formed by a university pathology service. Product date codes for the product consumed by the dogs were not provided to the manufacturer, and the FDA was not notified of potential product contamination. Screening of raw ingredients and finished product to detect afla-...

This study compared the effects of a moderate carbohydrate-high fiber (MC-HF) food and a low carbohydrate-low fiber (LC-LF) food on glycemic control in cats with diabetes mellitus. Sixty-three diabetic cats (48 male castrated, 15 female spayed) were randomly assigned to be fed either a canned MC-HF (n = 32) food or a canned LC-LF (n = 31) food for...

Selenium (Se) plays an important role in hair growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary selenium concentration on hair growth in dogs. Thirty-six beagles were stratified into six groups based on age, gender and body condition score. The dogs were fed a torula yeast-based canned food for 3 weeks. Then the dogs were...

This study used 36 cats with varying renal insufficiency and physiologic status to evaluate the effect of a food high in sodium chloride (HSC) compared with a low sodium chloride (LSC) food on selected blood parameters and blood pressure. Cats eating the HSC food had an increase in serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and phosphorus compared with cats...

Cases of rickets and other conditions of malnutrition in growing animals have been uncommon in recent years, but the popularity of raw and homemade diets in companion and exotic animals have resulted in an increased number of cases presented to veterinary clinics and teaching hospitals. Growing animals, including four puppies, two cougars, two jagu...

Objective: To describe the medical and nutritional management of a 4-year-old Weimaraner with acute hepatic failure and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) associated with consuming a commercial dog food. Case summary: A 4-year-old male castrated Weimaraner developed signs of IMHA, hepatic failure, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and m...

Thyroid to salivary (TS) ratio is the most commonly used scintigraphic parameter for differentiating euthyroid and hyperthyroid cats. Studies to determine the normal TS ratio have been performed in small cat populations. In this study, the TS ratio was determined in 32 cats between 8 and 13 years of age. The study population was documented to be eu...

To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) > or = 1.0 at initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises, death, and progression of renal failure in dogs. Prospective cohort study. 45 dogs with CRF PROCEDURE: Dogs were prospectively assigned to 2 groups on the basis...

Calcium oxalate has become the most common mineral occurring in canine and feline uroliths. Although calcium oxalate urolith formation may be a consequence of metabolic disease, the underlying cause is not identified in many dogs and cats. Currently, there is no successful medical dissolution protocol, and calcium oxalate uroliths must be removed p...

Ten client-owned cats with calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis were evaluated to determine the effect of diet on urine CaOx saturation. Two dietary treatments were evaluated in each cat: the diet consumed just prior to urolith detection and a canned diet formulated to prevent CaOx uroliths. This study revealed that hypercalciuria is a consistent ab...

To determine whether high systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the time of initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure in dogs was associated with increased risk of uremic crisis, risk of dying, or rate of decline in renal function. Prospective cohort study. 45 dogs with spontaneous chronic renal failure. Dogs were assigned to 1 of 3 groups on the basis...

To determine whether a diet used for dogs with renal failure (renal food [RF]) was superior to an adult maintenance food (MF) in minimizing uremic crises and mortality rate in dogs with spontaneous chronic renal failure. Double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial. 38 dogs with spontaneous chronic renal failure. Dogs were randomly assigned...

To identify factors in dry diets associated with the occurrence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths in dogs. 600 dogs with CaOx uroliths and 898 dogs without urinary tract diseases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Compared with diets with the highest concentrations of sodium, dry diets with the lowest concentrations o...

To identify dietary factors in commercially available canned foods associated with the development of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths in dogs. 117 dogs with CaOx uroliths and 174 dogs without urinary tract disease. Case dogs were those that developed CaOx uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center for quantitative analysis between 1990 and...

To identify dietary factors associated with the increase in occurrence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths and the decrease in occurrence of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) uroliths in cats. Case-control study. 173 cats with CaOx uroliths, 290 cats with MAP uroliths, and 827 cats without any urinary tract diseases. Univariate and multivariate log...

Chromium is an essential dietary trace mineral involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium is required for cellular uptake of glucose, and chromium deficiency causes insulin resistance. Chromium supplementation may improve insulin sensitivity and has been used as adjunct treatment of diabetes mellitus in humans. In this study, 13 dogs w...

To determine whether hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) reduces urinary calcium excretion in dogs with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Original study. 8 dogs with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. 4 treatment protocols were evaluated in each dog (a low calcium, low protein diet designed to prevent calcium oxalate urolith formation with and without administration...

The ultimate goal of feeding puppies and kittens is to ensure a healthy adult. The specific objectives, however, are to optimize growth, minimize risk factors for disease, and achieve optimal health and longevity. Minimum nutrient requirements are easiest to determine in growing animals using growth rates as the nutritional marker. These levels ens...

To determine hepatotoxicity of stanozolol in cats and to identify clinicopathologic and histopathologic abnormalities in cats with stanozolol-induced hepatotoxicosis. Clinical trial and case series. 12 healthy cats, 6 cats with chronic renal failure, and 3 cats with gingivitis and stomatitis. Healthy cats and cats with renal failure were treated wi...

To determine age, breed, sex, body condition score, and diet of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States during 1995, and estimate prevalences of the most common disorders for these animals. Cross-sectional study. 31,484 dogs and 15,226 cats examined by veterinary practitioners at 52 private veterinary practices....

Formation of uroliths is not a disease but rather a complication of several disorders. Some disorders can be identified and corrected (e.g., infection-induced struvite urolith formation), and some can be identified but not corrected (e.g., hyperuricosuria occurring in Dalmatians that form ammonium urate uroliths), although for others, the underlyin...

Gastric emptying in 18 healthy cats was assessed simultaneously using scintigraphy and barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS®). Canned Prescription Diet(r) Feline c/d(r) (Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, KS) labeled with 99mTc-disofenin (Hepatolite, DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Co., Billerica, Mass.) was fed on four separate days, Scintig...

Endogenous synthesis of taurine by cats is limited. Putative precursors of taurine, cysteinesulfinic acid and cysteic acid, were fed to cats to determine whether they were utilized. Groups of five cats were depleted of taurine by a resin (Colestipol(R)) diet, then given 6 dietary treatments containing (g/kg diet): 0.0, 0.4, or 0.8 taurine; or 0.98...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Davis, 1998. Degree granted in Nutrition.

To evaluate dietary and environmental factors as potential risk factors for calcium oxalate urolithiasis in cats. Case-control study. 84 cats with uroliths composed of at least 90% calcium oxalate and 258 age- and gender-matched control cats. Owners of cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis and control cats were surveyed between November 1990 and A...

The effect of long-term voluntary fasting on hematologic variables, biochemical profiles, and liver histologic findings was assessed in 15 obese cats (> 40% overweight). Clinical signs and laboratory results consistent with hepatic lipidosis were observed in 12 of 15 cats after 5 to 7 weeks of fasting, and were associated with 30 to 35% reduction o...

After IV administration of 0.5 mg of glucagon/cat, glucose tolerance and insulin secretory response were evaluated in 10 lean cats, 10 obese cats, and 30 cats with diabetes mellitus. Blood samples for glucose and insulin determinations were collected immediately before and at 5, 10, 15. 30, 45, and 60 minutes after IV administration of glucagon. Ba...

With the recent identification of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in cats, new possibilities arise for the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents in the treatment of feline NIDDM, similar to their use in humans. To identify the future applicability of the oral hypoglycaemic agent, glipizide, in the treatment of feline NIDDM, its effects o...

Six dogs with a median age of 7 years (range = 5-14 years) were presented for signs referable to thoracic or abdominal effusion associated with neoplasia of the body cavities. Intracavitary cisplatin was administered at 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for a median of 2.5 treatments (mean = 3, range = 1-6). Three dogs with pleural mesothelioma had complete r...

Diabetes mellitus is often a frustrating disorder to treat. Many animals appear resistant to the effects of insulin, while others, especially cats, are very sensitive to its effects and therefore prone to bouts of hypoglycemia. Because of difficulties in glucose regulation, many veterinarians have referred to the treatment of diabetes mellitus as a...

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood glucose concentrations measured with 2 portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) validated for use in dogs (PBGM-D) and humans (PBGM-H) and an automated chemistry analyzer. DESIGN: Validation study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 92 samples of fresh whole blood and plasma from 83 dogs with various diseases. PROCEDURES: Each PBGM was use...

BACKGROUND: L-Asparaginase (Elspar(a)), is an Escherichia coli-derived enzyme that depletes lymphoma cells of asparagine, inhibiting protein synthesis and resulting in cell death. The single agent response rate in cats with lymphoma and impact of L-asparaginase on plasma amino acid concentrations is unknown. HYPOTHESES: L-Asparaginase significantly...