Early cardiac US changes on BEG diets

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CBD Safety and Kinetics

The study aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of chronic oral administration of highly purified CBD isolate in healthy adult Beagles. Four different doses of CBD (1, 2, 4, or 12 mg/kg, PO) were administered once daily for 28 days. The study found that all doses were well-tolerated, with no clinically relevant changes in safety outcomes observed. Increases in serum ALP activity were observed, which may represent an early adaptive response to CBD metabolism and warrant further investigation in longer-term studies. Repeated administration led to CBD accumulation in circulation and dose-dependent increases in total systemic exposure and 24-hour Ctrough of CBD. The observed maximum individual Ctrough values for CBD following chronic oral administration may guide selection of a starting dose or dose adjustment of a comparable formulation for therapeutic indications. Further research is needed to establish the therapeutic effectiveness of a given plasma CBD concentration when CBD is used as a primary or adjunctive treatment.  

Vaughn, D. M., Paulionis, L. J., & Kulpa, J. E. (2021). Randomized, placebo-controlled, 28-day safety and pharmacokinetics evaluation of repeated oral cannabidiol administration in healthy dogs, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 82(5), 405-416. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.82.5.405 

Bottom line — Safe but efficacy needs to be determined

Early US changes in BEG diets

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common acquired cardiac disease in dogs, characterized by systolic dysfunction and ventricular dilatation, which can lead to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The most common causes of DCM in dogs include hereditary and dietary factors. Recent studies have suggested a possible association between DCM and nontraditional diets, particularly those containing pulse ingredients (e.g., peas, lentils, chickpeas) and potatoes or sweet potatoes. This study aimed to compare echocardiographic measurements of myocardial performance and cardiac biomarkers in apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets. The study found that dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower systolic function and larger measures of left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets, although echocardiographic variables for both groups were largely within extant reference intervals. There were no significant differences in cardiac biomarkers between diet groups, and no significant differences in taurine concentrations. The study has some limitations, including the small sample size and the lack of longitudinal evaluation 

Owens, EJ, LeBlanc, NL, Freeman, LM, Scollan, KF. Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37( 1): 37- 46. doi:10.1111/jvim.16606 

Bottom line - another piece of evidence

Hookworm resistance is spreading

The study described the investigation of a severe hookworm infection problem in a canine breeding and training facility in Georgia. The facility primarily bred and trained Labrador Retrievers, and multiple anthelmintic treatments failed to control the hookworm problem. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the major anthelmintic classes used for the treatment of hookworms in dogs and develop recommendations for long-term control of the hookworm problem. The study found that the hookworms infecting the dogs in the kennel were resistant to all major anthelmintic classes approved for use in dogs in the US, except emodepside. The results suggest that the hookworm problem in the kennel is due to multiple anthelmintic drug resistance, which is not a Greyhound problem but a canine problem that originated with the Greyhound racing industry. 

Jimenez Castro, P. D., Durrence, K., Durrence, S., Gianechini, L. S., Collins, J., Dunn, K., & Kaplan, R. M. (2023). Multiple anthelmintic drug resistance in hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) in a Labrador breeding and training kennel in Georgia, USA, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(3), 342-347. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.08.0377 

Bottom line — Coming to a practice near you…

Just putting things in perspective …