Explore the vast range of titles available.

Prostatic disorders are commonly observed in older, intact male dogs and have been a primary etiological factor in the development of PH. Limited literature exists regarding correcting PH with castration in dogs suffering from prostatic disorders, including the management and long-term clinical outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to describe the management of prostatic disorders and evaluate outcomes and recurrence following perineal herniorrhaphy with castration. A total of 315 intact male dogs that underwent perineal herniorrhaphy associated with prostatic disorders were classified into two groups: a castrated (PHC; n = 184) and a non-castrated group (PHNC; n = 131). The clinical signs of the PHC group showed significant improvement in the postoperative, short- and long-term follow-up phases (p < 0.001). The enlargement of the prostate gland, heterogeneous parenchyma, and intraparenchymal cystic lesions were observed to be less prevalent in the PHC compared to the other group (p < 0.001). The incidence of recurrent PH showed no significant differences (p = 0.5). In conclusion, castration combined with perineal herniorrhaphy offers significant advantages for improving outcomes and minimizing the recurrence of PH associated with prostatic pathologies following surgery. This is particularly relevant when managing prostatic cysts, including FNA for drainage, cyst or abscess resection, or partial prostatectomy with omentalization during surgery.

In vitro fecal inoculation coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used for evaluating fecal deodorants. However, high cost and complex data interpretation limit its routine application. An electronic nose (eNose) offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the eNose as a screening tool for fecal odor compared with solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) and to examine the in vitro effects of fecal deodorant supplements on fecal odor profiles. Feces from ten healthy cats were serially diluted (1:1 to 1:8) and analyzed using both instruments. Four dietary supplements—Yucca schidigera extract (YSE), Quillaja saponaria extract (QSE), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and oat beta-glucans (OBG)—were tested at concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/100 mL. The eNose showed comparable performance to GC-MS in discriminating among sample dilutions. In vitro fermentation showed that FOS and OBG significantly increased volatile fatty acid (VFA)-related sensor responses while signals linked to ammonia and sulfur compounds were reduced. QSE had minimal effect, whereas YSE produced moderate changes. The total sensor response intensities did not differ between treatments. These findings indicate that prebiotic supplements exert stronger effects than saponin-based supplements and highlight the potential of eNoses with in vitro fermentation for rapid screening of fecal deodorants.

Palatability is a critical determinant of pet food performance, directly influencing voluntary intake, nutrient utilization, and therapeutic efficacy. In this systematic review, we examine peer-reviewed research publications, patent filings, and commercial product data pertaining to palatant technologies in dry and wet pet food from 2014 to 2024. Major palatant classes—including fats, proteins, yeast extracts, and novel plant-derived or insect-based hydrolysates—are evaluated for their physicochemical properties, flavor-release mechanisms, and stability during processing. We analyze formulation techniques such as microencapsulation, Maillard-reaction enhancement, and multilayer coating systems, focusing on their impact on aromatic compound retention and palatability consistency. Patent landscape assessment identifies over 15 key innovations in delivery systems, life-stage-specific palatant modulation, and dual-phase release architectures. Dual-phase release architectures are defined as systems that deliver active compounds in two sequential phases, such as immediate and sustained release. Sensory evaluation methodologies—ranging from multivariate preference mapping to descriptive analysis—are critically appraised to correlate human-panel metrics with canine and feline feeding behavior. We also discuss strategic integration of palatants at different processing stages (pre-conditioning, extrusion, and post-extrusion) and the challenges of balancing taste masking with nutritional requirements, particularly in formulations containing alternative proteins for sustainability. Despite rapid market growth in functional palatant-infused products, peer-reviewed literature remains relatively limited, suggesting opportunities for further research on species-specific flavor drivers, synbiotic flavor–nutrient interactions, and novel delivery platforms. This comprehensive overview of palatant science, patent innovations, and market evolution provides evidence-based guidance for researchers, formulators, and veterinarians seeking to optimize organoleptic properties and consumer acceptance of next-generation pet foods.

The increasing demand for sustainable pet-food solutions has driven interest in alternative protein sources, as researchers seek to avoid allergenic foods while maintaining optimal pet nutrition. This review explores recent scientific publications, patent trends, and market trends relating to various alternative protein sources, including plant-based, aquatic, insect-derived, and cell-based sources. Their nutritional composition, functional properties, and potential benefits for pet health were assessed. Plant-based proteins, such as soy, pea, and lentils, provide essential amino acids and functional properties suitable for meat analogues. Microalgae and seaweed offer rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. Insect-based proteins such as black-soldier-fly larvae and mealworms are highly digestible and rich in essential nutrients, with additional benefits for gut health. Emerging cell-based proteins present a novel, lab-grown alternative with promising sustainability and nutritional advantages. While these protein sources offer significant benefits, challenges related to digestibility, palatability, regulatory approval, and consumer acceptance must be addressed. The emphasis of the present research is on current developments for industry uses and future potential. The analysis sheds light on the contributions of alternative protein sources to the promotion of sustainable and nutrient meals for pets.

Increasing interest in functional nutrition has driven the incorporation of probiotics into pet food formulations to enhance digestive health, immune response, and overall well-being in companion animals. This systematic review examines scientific publications, patents, and market developments related to probiotic-enriched pet food from 2014 to 2024. We evaluate major probiotic taxa—including Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Bacillus spp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae—based on their resilience during processing, gastrointestinal survival, and documented health benefits. Delivery technologies such as microencapsulation, coating matrices, and post-processing supplementation are analyzed for their effectiveness in preserving probiotic viability within dry and wet food matrices. Patent landscape analysis highlights innovation trends in strain selection, formulation design, and processing methods. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that probiotic supplementation modulates gut microbiota composition, improves fecal parameters, enhances immune markers, and promotes nutrient absorption in both canine and feline models. Market data reveal rapid expansion of commercial probiotic pet food products, yet scientific research remains limited compared to human nutrition. Overall, the findings indicate that while probiotics hold clear potential to improve gastrointestinal health and immunity in pets, evidence remains fragmented, particularly for cats and long-term outcomes. Bridging the gap between industrial innovation and controlled clinical validation will be essential for developing next-generation probiotic pet foods.

The aquatic plant Wolffia globosa and the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 have been proposed as candidate synbiotic components targeting gut microbiota modulation. In this study, we investigated the effects of W. globosa supplementation, alone or in combination with L. reuteri KUB-AC5, on the gut microbiota and health status in healthy adult dogs. For a 28-day feeding trial, 24 healthy dogs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups: control, prebiotic (PRE; 3.5% W. globosa powder), and synbiotic (SYN, 3.5% W. globosa powder combined with L. reuteri KUB-AC5 at 1 × 108 CFU/day). No significant differences were observed in body weight, body condition score, fecal consistency, feed intake, or blood parameters among groups (p > 0.05). Although overall gut microbial diversity remained unchanged, linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed the selective enrichment of specific bacterial taxa. The PRE group exhibited higher relative abundances of Parabacteroides merdae, Romboutsia lituseburensis, Subdoligranulum variabile, and Phocaeicola sartorii, whereas the SYN group showed increased levels of Escherichia coli and Terrisporobacter glycolicus and reduced levels of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens and Campylobacter upsaliensis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, W. globosa, alone or combined with L. reuteri KUB-AC5, was safely used to modulate gut bacterial composition as a potential functional ingredient.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate amount of eri silkworm pupae meal (Samia ricini) to add to the broiler diet.Methods: Two hundred 1-day-old male chicks with initial weight at 50.03±0.56 g/chick were divided into four groups (five replicates per group and ten chicks per replicate): a control group fed a corn-soybean diet and experimental groups supplemented with 5%, 10%, or 15% eri silkworm pupae meal. All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and formulated respecting nutrient requirements. Growth performances were collected during the experimental period and other parameters were collected at the end of experiment when broilers reached thirty-eight days old.Results: A higher cold carcass weight and skin yellowness in the broilers fed 10% eri silkworm pupae meal compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Therefore, supplementation with 10% eri silkworm pupae meal is suggested for the broiler diet formulation because it did not cause any serious negative consequences on growth performance, health status, carcass characteristics and meat quality. However, the usage of eri silkworm pupae meal at 15% is not recommend because it led to negative outcomesConclusion: The addition of eri silkworm pupae at 10% can be used as an alternative protein sources for broiler chickens which provided benefits on cold carcass weight and skin yellowness without adverse effects.

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae are considered as insects with a high potential to convert organic waste into high-value products. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth performance, waste reduction efficiency, and nutritional composition of BSF reared on different ratios of coconut endosperm (C) and soybean curd residue (S), with or without supplementation, compared to standard diets (Gainesville: G and starter chicken diet: CK). Seven-day-old larvae were randomly divided into eight experimental groups (G, CK, and three different ratios of C and S with or without supplementation) with three replicates with an equal weight of larvae. The supplement contained calcium, phosphorus, amino acids, and a mineral–vitamin premix which was formulated to correlate with CK. Each replicate was terminated, measured, and evaluated when 40% of larvae had reached prepupal stage. The highest larval weight gain was presented in BSF fed CK, followed by those fed coconut endosperm and soybean curd residue at a ratio of 20:80 (C20S80), and coconut endosperm and soybean curd residue at a ratio of 50:50 (C50S50) without supplementation (numbers after C and S represent their percentage in the formulation; p < 0.001). Harvesting was delayed in the BSF fed C80S20 with and without supplementation (p < 0.001). The number of total larvae and prepupae was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). The greatest waste reduction efficiency was observed in the G, C50S50, and C20S80 groups without supplementation (p < 0.001). All groups with supplementation had a higher proportion of ash in both larvae and prepupae compared to non-supplemented groups (p < 0.001), but lower growth performance. The highest percentage of crude protein in larvae was presented in the Gainesville and C20S80 groups followed by the CK and C50S50 groups (p < 0.001). Equal proportions of C and S without supplementation are suggested as a rearing substrate. However, growth performance was lower than for CK; therefore, further studies could investigate cost-efficient techniques to promote this parameter.

There has been increasing interest in using insects as sustainable protein sources for humans and animals. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the possibility of substituting poultry meal with house cricket (Acheta domesticus: AD) or mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori: BM) pupae. Fifty healthy adult mixed-breed dogs were selected and divided into five experimental groups, which were fed, in amounts based on daily energy requirement, with a control diet, a diet with 10% AD, with 20% AD, with 7% BM, or with 14% BM. Days 0–22 and 23–28 of the experiment served as the adaptation and collection phases, respectively. Haematology and blood chemistry were collected at days 0, 14, and 28, and body weight, body condition score, feed intake, faecal output, faecal score, faecal moisture, and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were measured during the collection phase. The results from this study suggested that AD and BM can replace poultry meal without any adverse consequences on all measured parameters (p > 0.05). Therefore, AD at 20% or BM at 14% can be used in canine diet formulations. However, long-term feeding trials should be conducted and should focus on clinical signs relating to hypersensitivity disorders.

The black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) is considered a potential sustainable insect alternative source of protein for animal feed. The quality of a BSF meal is greatly influenced by the killing method and the purpose of this article is to compare the influences of different killing methods. BSFs at the 18-day-old prepupae stage were separated into six different killing methods with three replicates: 1. blending, 2. freezing, 3. CO2 treatment, 4. vacuum, 5. blanching and 6. CO2 plus blanching. After killing, BSF larvae meals were obtained by hot air oven drying and grinding. The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility calculated from sediments were not affected by the killing method, except that blending provided the worst BSF quality for all measured parameters (p < 0.05). The highest quality of BSF was obtained from the heat treatment procedures (blanching and the CO2 plus blanching methods), as they produced lower acidity after killing, total viable counts, browning reaction (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), darkness, moisture, fat acidity, protein and lipid oxidation during storage compared with other killing procedures (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the highest free amino acids in the supernatant after in vitro digestibility of BSF samples was observed with the CO2 plus blanching killing method (p < 0.05), whereas other parameters were similar to those obtained with blanching. The CO2 plus blanching method did not produce clearly different outcomes to blanching; therefore, the selection of one of these techniques over the other should depend on the regulations in each country.