The Great Dane - Breed Nutrition - Royal Canin

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It is essential to limit the quantity of rapidly fermenting fibre for Great Danes, which naturally have a very high fermentation activity, and to blend it with fibre that degrades more slowly (beet pulp). Measures to help prevent dilatation-torsion of the stomach Vasco des Terres axonaises © J.-M. Labat Do Don’t • Limit the quantities fed during meals (Raghavan et al, 2004): divide the daily feeding amount to reduce the risk of overloading the stomach. • Add a little water to the food before serving to speed up stomach emptying. • Follow a regular daily feeding pattern as much as possible. • Offer kibbles bigger than 3 cm to slow down rate of ingestion (Theyse et al, 1998). The dog will be forced to chew, limiting the risk of aerophagia which aggravates dilatation. • Thoroughly clean the bowl after every meal. Dietary hygiene is important, especially if water is added to the food. 22 • Avoid creating competition between dogs at mealtimes • Avoid feeding just before you go out, so that you are able to watch while the dog eats. • Don’t allow the dog to exercise after a meal. • Avoid all unnecessary stress before, during and after the meal. Maintaining a healthy weight and an optimal body composition To stay in shape, a Great Dane must receive an energy-rich diet. Its daily ration must give it all the calories it needs in a limited volume of food. A high energy concentration in the food A high energy density helps reduce the volume of food given and so avoids overloading the stomach, a risk factor for dilatation-torsion of the stomach and poor digestion in general. The fact that oils and fats are high on the list of ingredients in food (Raghavan et al, 2006) is highly dependent on the way ingredients are declared on the label and the number of protein, fat and carbohydrate sources. The more varied the protein and carbohydrate sources in a food, the greater the probability that oils and fats will be at the top of the list. The classification of ingredients by decreasing percentage is independent of the nutritional value of the food and cannot be used as a relevant indicator of the risk of dilatation-torsion of the stomach. L-carnitine to support muscle mass The muscled figure of the Great Dane means that its fatty tissue accounts for no more than 20% of its body composition. Diet clearly plays a crucial role in maintaining an ideal balance between its muscle mass and fat mass. An intake of L-carnitine changes the body composition in favour of muscle mass. L-carnitine is a non-essential amino acid, which means that the body is normally able to produce it from two other amino acids: lysine and methionine. However, an intake through the diet helps increase the quantity available to the body. fatty acid membrane energy L-carnitine: transports fatty acids into cells exterior of the mitochondria l-carnitine interior of the mitochondria L-carnitine facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where fats are oxidised to produce energy. 23 mitochondria
Synovial fluid Synovial membrane Cartilage Structure of a joint The joint is protected by a capsule lined by the synovial membrane. This membrane secretes the fluid necessary for nutrition of the cartilage. After oral administration, glucosamine and chondroitin concentrate in the synovial fluid. Nutrition that targets the joints Nutrition provides substances that are vital to maintain joint health and activity levels. Such as chondroitin and glucoamine, which play an important role in the hydration and regeneration of cartilage, and omega-3 long chain fatty acids. Glucosamine + chondroitin sulphate: a synergistic association to protect cartilage health These molecules belong to the family of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), natural components of cartilage. GAGs facilitate cartilage hydration, which helps it play its role as a shock absorber. They are also found in synovial fluid, which helps lubricate the joints. Oral administration of glucosamine and chondroitin to arthritic dogs helps to improve joint mobility (Canapp et al, 1999; Johnston et al, 2001). Glucosamine is a precursor in the synthesis of many cartilage constituents. After oral administration it is concentrated in the joints (Davidson et al, 2000) where it stimulates the production of GAGs. In humans the first results are seen after 4-8 weeks intake (Pavelka et al, 2002; Braham et al, 2003). Chondroitin sulphate tends to inhibit the enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation (Basleer et al, 1998). Like glucosamine, it concentrates in the synovial fluid and the cartilage after oral administration (Conte et al, 1995; McLaughlin 2000). Daily administration produces a cumulative effect (Adebowale et al, 2002). In vitro, the synthesis of inflammatory mediators is curbed by omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which are found in concentrated form in fish oils (Curtis et al, 2002). In canine patients with arthritis of the elbow, an increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids helps reduce inflammation (Hazewinkel et al, 1998). Taurine and L-carnitine: nutrients for heart function Encouraging good heart contractility with taurine Taurine is an amino acid normally synthesised by the dog from methionine and cystine, although this process appears to be less efficient in some breeds. Taurine represents at least 40% of all free amino acids in the heart. It is essential to preserve the integrity of heart muscle cells. Cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs have been associated with extremely low plasma taurine levels (Alroy et al, 2000). Facilitating the supply of energy to the myocardium with L-carnitine L-carnitine is a substance that behaves like a vitamin and is found in concentrated form in the heart. An L-carnitine deficiency in the myocardium may accompany DCM (Pierpont et al, 1993). Whatever the cause or consequence of DCM, an L-carnitine deficiency should be prevented in atrisk breeds like the Great Dane. The clinical benefits of supplementation have already been proven, although several months of treatment are needed before marked improvements are observed on echocardiographs (ECG) (Keene et al, 1991). Combination of ECG results and taurine concentrations in total blood (average nmol/mL ± standard deviation) 24 25 Average < 200 nmol/mL < 130 nmol/mL Normal dogs (n = 49) 247 ± 73 7 3 DCM dogs (n = 11) 184 ± 62 3 4 The taurine levels are significantly lower in DCM dogs than they are in normal dogs (ANOVA p = 0.02). A blood taurine concentration lower than 200 nmol/mL is considered to be low. If the level is lower than 130 nmol/mL, the value is considered to be very low.
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The Great Dane - Breed Nutrition - Royal Canin

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