BackgroundThere are conflicting reports of plasma lipoprotein lipid content in dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM).ObjectivesTo determine lipoprotein lipid content of plasma of dogs with DM by spectrophotometry and ultracentrifugation; to compare lipoprotein lipid content in diabetic and healthy dogs; and to quantify apolipoprotein B‐100 (ApoB) in dogs with DM.Animals22 dogs with DM and 9 healthy dogs.MethodsCross‐sectional study. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations were measured by spectrophotometry. Very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations were calculated after ultracentrifugation. Non‐HDL‐C cholesterol was calculated by subtracting HDL‐C from TC. ApoB was quantified by ELISA. The Mann‐Whitney test was used for comparison of median lipoprotein concentrations, and Spearman's correlation was used to assess associations between ApoB and lipoprotein fractions.ResultsAll values are reported in mg/dL. Median TG (122), TC (343.5), HDL‐C, (200), VLDL‐C, (27) LDL‐C (68), non‐HDL‐C (114), and ApoB (320) were significantly higher in dogs with DM, compared to healthy dogs (57, 197, 168, 12, 16, 31, and 258, respectively, P‐values 0.0079, <0.001, 0.029, 0.011, <0.001, <0.001, 0.025, respectively). A significant association was found between ApoB and LDL‐C (Spearman's rho = 0.41, P = 0.022) and between ApoB and non‐HDL‐C (Spearman's rho = 0.40, P = 0.027).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDyslipidemia of dogs with DM is characterized by pronounced increases in LDL‐C and non‐HDL‐C concentrations, although all lipoprotein fractions are significantly increased. Knowledge of specific lipoprotein fraction alterations in dogs with DM can enhance treatment options for diabetic dyslipidemia in dogs.

Formula for Nestling Songbirds (FoNS©) is a diet commonly fed to nestling and fledging passerines in rehabilitation settings. The authors evaluated a new formulation, Mazuri® Nestling Meal (MNM), as a potential commercial alternative to FoNS©. The objective was to evaluate the adequacy of MNM compared to FoNS© in birds presented to Tri–State Bird Rescue & Research between 10 June and 10 August 2009. Clutchmates were randomly assigned to FoNS© (control group) or MNM (experimental group) and fed on the same schedule to satiety. Birds received species–appropriate dietary supplementation. Birds were discharged from the study when they moved outside, died, or were removed by a clinician due to health status. The primary endpoint was rate of weight gain, as determined by the percent of admission body weight gained per day. The mean of the control population (n=27) was compared with the experimental population (n=27) using the Student’s t–test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The mean percentage body weight gain per day for the control group was 4.57 (95% CI 2.825–6.310). The mean percentage body weight gain per day for the experimental group was 3.89 (95% CI 2.145–5.631). The difference between populations was not statistically significant as indicated by p=0.58. The control group had one death. The experimental group had three deaths and three birds removed by clinician (two subsequently euthanized). With the exception of one inconclusive result, necropsies performed by the overseeing clinician determined cause of death to be unrelated to diet. The statistical analysis and additional qualitative data suggests that MNM is equivalent to FoNS© and an acceptable alternative.