Influence of diet on urinary pH, urine and serum biochemical variables, and blood-ionized calcium concentrations in healthy dogs.
Urolithiasis is a common cause of lower urinary tract disease in dogs. Diet influences urine composition, and dietary change is often incorporated into medical management of uroliths. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of four diets on urine pH in healthy dogs. Sixteen adult dogs of various breeds, ages, and weights were fed four diets in Latin Square design: a diet formulated for adult dogs at maintenance (Diet A; ProPlan Canine Chicken and Rice Adult [dry], Ralston Purina Co, St. Louis, MO); a diet formulated to aid in management of fiber-responsive diseases (Diet B; CNM Canine DCO [dry], Ralston Purina Co, St. Louis, MO); a diet formulated to aid in management of chronic renal failure (Diet C; CNM Canine NF [dry], Ralston Purina Co, St. Louis, MO); and a diet designed to aid in prevention of struvite urolithiasis (Diet D; Prescription Diet Canine c/d [dry], Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc, Topeka, KS). Diets were fed for 21 days. On day 21, blood and urine samples were collected before feeding one-half of daily caloric requirements, and urine was collected 4 and 8 hours later. A biochemical analysis and ionized-calcium test were conducted on blood samples, and a complete urinalysis and urine pH determined by a pH-electrode were conducted on urine samples. Thirteen dogs completed the study. Serum phosphorous concentrations were significantly lower and urine pH was significantly higher when dogs consumed Diet C when compared with the other three diets. A postprandial effect on urine pH was not demonstrated when dogs consumed any diet. Other urinalysis parameters were not different between dogs or diets. Diet does influence urine pH in healthy dogs; however, healthy dogs produced urine with an acidic pH except while consuming a diet specifically formulated to produce alkaluria. Furthermore, crystalluria was commonly found in these healthy dogs regardless of the diet.
Gleaton
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HK
Holly Tree Animal Hospital, 1332 South Highway 14, Simpsonville, SC 29681, USA.
Bartges
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JW
Laflamme
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DP
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry*
D002118:Calcium