Effects of Protein‐Calorie Deficiency on Dogs 1. Reproduction, Growth and Behaviour

Abstract

SUMMARY Dogs maintained from weaning on diets of low protein value grow slowly and develop changes in their bones, brains and behaviour. When they reach adulthood the protein‐calorie deficient bitches produce smaller and fewer pups per litter than do well‐nourished littermates. If the congenitally malnourished offspring are given diets of low protein value, they show more marked abnormalities than do pups born of normal mothers and given at weaning diets of similar protein value. The pups have an abnormal gait, especially of the hind legs, run and follow less readily and tire more easily than normal animals, and athetoid movements of the head and neck are common. Exercise exacerbates the abnormalities and in some instances convulsive seizures have occurred. The intensity of the changes reaches a peak at about 2 to 3 months of age and the more acute manifestations then recede but do not fully disappear. Many of the abnormalities of gait, growth and EEG pattern disappear when the deficient animals are given diets of high protein value. The most marked recovery occurs amongst animals born of normal mothers and subjected to a period of protein‐calorie deficiency after weaning. In contrast, congenitally malnourished puppies, even when they are given diets of high protein value from weaning, remain small and it is suggested that full recovery may never occur. Rehabilitated dogs, even when adult, are often obese, with short legs; they remain somewhat apprehensive and mix less well than normal dogs. The possible implications for man are discussed. RÉSUMÉ Les chiens maintenus à partir du sevrage avec des régimes pauvres en proteines grandissent lentement et subissent des changements dans leurs os, leur cerveau et leur comportement. Lorsqu'elles atteignent 1′âge adulte, les chiennes déficientes en calories‐proteiniques produisent des chiots plus petits et moins nombreux à chaque portée que leurs soeurs bien nourries. Si les descendants congénitalement mal‐nourris reçoivent des régimes de faible valeur proteinique ils ont des anomalies plus marquées que les chiots nés de mères normales et nourris depuis leur sevrage selon des régimes de valeur proteinique similaire. Les chiots ont une démarche anormale, affectant surtout les membres postérieurs, ils courent et suivent moins facilement et se fatiguent plus vite que les animaux normaux; les mouvements athétoides de la tête et du cou sont communs. L'exercice exagère les anomalies et des crises convulsives sont survenues quelques fois. L'intensité des changements atteint son maximum à environ 2 à 3 mois, puis les manifestations les plus aigues régressent mais ne disparaissent pas complètement. Beaucoup des anomalies de démarche, croissance et EEG disparaissent lorsque les animaux déficients reçoivent des régimes de haute valeur proteinique. Les guérisons les plus marquées se produisent chez les animaux nés de mères normales et soumis à une période de carence en proteine après leur sevrage. Au contraire, les chiots congénitalement malnourris, même s'ils reçoivent des régimes de ...

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