Oral communication in 22nd Annual Congress for ESVCP&ACCP

June 26^th, 2020

Cruz F., Cabanes D., Camino E., Perez-Sancho M., Rodriguez-Bertos A., Barcena C. and Dominguez L.

Background: Oxidative stress is a consequence of the accumulation of oxygen
reactive species, nitrogen reactive species and other free radicals. Factors
associated to oxidative stress in dogs include physical exercise, several pathologies and psychogenic stress. The latter is common in sheltered dogs; therefore a balanced antioxidant diet may be a valid approach to restoring a good cell metabolism and neutralizing an excess of free radicals.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a diet enriched with
antioxidant compounds on the oxidative stress of dogs lodged long-term in an animal shelter.
Methods: A total of 10 healthy dogs were enrolled in the study, after a routine
veterinary check, a basic haematology and biochemistry profile and negative
immunofluorescence result for canine Leishmaniasis. The dogs were distributed in
two groups [6 dogs were fed a diet enriched with antioxidants (AO) and 4 dogs were fed a similar diet without antioxidants (control)]. Both diets were fed ad libitum for 4 months. A blood sample without anticoagulant was drawn at day 0 and again after 4 months; oxidative stress biomarkers analysed included Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and 8-hydroxy-2’- deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG). Results for each group were compared between day 0 and day 120 using a Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: Dogs in the control group showed a statistically significant difference for 8- OhdG results, which were increased at day 120 (p= 0.02) showing oxidative damage in the DNA in these dogs. Conversely, dogs fed the AO diet showed significant differences between day 0 and day 120 for TAS and TBARS; TAS increased (p=0.003), while TBARS decreased at day 120 (p= 0.02), showing a better oxidative status of these dogs after four months with the AO diet.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that feeding a diet rich in antioxidants was
benefitial to regulate the oxidative status of dogs in a shelter, which could aid to
prevent damage due to oxidative stress and therefore improve the general health
status in these dogs

	Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).