Insect Based Foods???

Hello, Summairians!

Do we need different, more sustainable sources of protein? Here is one option. I’ll let you be the judge …

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Osphos Detection in Horses

Clodronic acid is a non-nitrogenous bisphosphonate used therapeutically to treat navicular syndrome in horses but is subject to strict regulation in racing and equestrian competitions. Current rules prohibit its use in horses under 3.5 years of age and require specific withdrawal periods prior to competition. These regulations are based on detection times established by pharmacokinetic studies, which measure how long the drug or its metabolites remain detectable in the horse’s system. Detection times differ from withdrawal times, as the latter include a safety margin determined by the veterinarian to account for individual variations in factors such as metabolism, fitness, and health status. 

Initial studies in healthy horses showed that clodronic acid concentrations fell below quantification limits by 20 days and below detection by 40 days post-administration, and previous research on tiludronic acid has informed regulatory detection periods for bisphosphonates. More recent work indicates that detection times are generally longer in horses with orthopedic disease and those involved in training, competition, and racing, likely due to the drug’s capacity to bind to bone and be released over time. The complexity of clodronate’s elimination is further influenced by exercise level, as dynamic bone turnover can cause intermittent reappearance of the drug in circulation even after initial depletion. 

A new study conducted on a larger population of competition horses with orthopedic conditions—more representative of real-world cases—confirms a prolonged and variable terminal half-life for clodronic acid. The results support establishing a detection time of about 30 days, aligning with decisions made by European and international equestrian and racing authorities. While no clear influence of covariates such as age, sex, disease severity, or discipline on the elimination half-life was detected, the study’s statistical power was limited, and the variation in training and competition conditions was insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. The study’s lower detection limits and extended sampling times allowed for more accurate measurement of the terminal depletion phase compared to earlier work. 

Ultimately, the final determination of detection and withdrawal times will depend on both regulatory decisions and professional veterinary judgment, considering factors such as prior bisphosphonate treatments and other health conditions that may affect drug excretion. The research highlights the importance of population-based detection time studies in real-world scenarios for developing meaningful guidelines that ensure both compliance with competition regulations and the welfare of the horse. 

SeguiPedrosa, B., Dujardin, C., Moses, B., Thompson, C., Sarasola, P., Gattacceca, F., Loup, B., Garcia, P., Popot, M.-A., & Bailly-Chouriberry, L. (2024). Detection times of clodronic acid in horses with orthopedic disease. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 47, 380–389. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.13453

Bottom line — Helpful and supports current guidelines

Insect Based Foods.

The pet care market is expanding due to rising pet populations and the increasing view of pets as family members, which has led to growing interest in high-quality and sustainable pet foods. Insect protein, derived from sources such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets, has gained attention as a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional animal proteins. Although insect-based proteins are nutritionally rich and can benefit pets with allergies to common meat proteins, consumer acceptance remains mixed, and concerns about crossreactivity for dogs allergic to mites and shrimp need careful consideration. 

As environmental considerations increasingly influence consumer choices, the need to understand the nutritional adequacy of insect-based dog foods becomes more pressing. This study analyzed multiple commercially available insect-based dog foods and found that all met the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) minimum requirements for crude protein and crude fat. However, discrepancies emerged between labeled and actual nutrient contents. These discrepancies raise questions about labeling accuracy and consumer trust, especially regarding foods formulated for specific life stages. 

Mineral content analysis revealed that most nutrients met recommended standards, except for magnesium. Some products were deficient in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and copper, and many did not meet the recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Notably, these mineral imbalances were primarily found in Korean-produced foods, with non-Korean products adhering more closely to guidelines. While such imbalances may not cause immediate health issues, there are potential long-term risks, especially for growing puppies where nutrient deficiencies may lead to growth retardation and other health problems. 

In addition, several samples fell short of the threonine requirements for growth and reproduction. The fatty acid analysis indicated general compliance with minimum requirements for essential fatty acids, although some products did not meet the recommended levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Moreover, two samples had excessively high omega-6:omega-3 ratios, raising concerns about potential inflammation and health risks. 

Insect-based dog foods typically contained significant amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The presence of lauric and myristic acids, especially in black soldier fly larvae–based products, may offer certain health benefits demonstrated in non-dietary studies, though the applicability to canine health remains uncertain. 

Despite its contributions, this study had limitations. It included no direct comparison with traditional animal-protein dog foods, did not evaluate nutrient bioavailability, and only reflected the products available at the time of analysis. Additionally, it focused primarily on proteins and fatty acids, leaving other components—such as carbohydrates, fibers, and additives—less examined. 

In conclusion, while insect-based dog foods show promise as a sustainable protein source, concerns remain about mineral imbalances and inaccuracies in labeling. Further research, including feeding trials and more comprehensive nutritional analyses, is needed. Strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring adherence to nutritional guidelines will be essential as insect-based pet foods continue to evolve. 

Ryu, M., Lee, K., Ha, H., Kim, H., Ahn, W., Kim, S., & Seo, K. (2024). Proximate analysis and profiles of amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals in insect-based foods for dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.08.0243 

Bottom line — Good early information. Needs further research.

Diagnostic Tool for Solid Masses

Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs, with various types of tumors frequently encountered in veterinary practice. Diagnostic approaches often rely on fine-needle aspirations or biopsies, but both have limitations such as invasiveness, cost, and the potential for inconclusive cytology. Thermography, the process of capturing thermal images based on infrared radiation emitted by tissues, has shown some promise in identifying malignant lesions, but steady-state thermal imaging alone has produced mixed results. 

The HT Vista system is a novel diagnostic device that uses dynamic heat diffusivity to assess subcutaneous and cutaneous masses. It incorporates an optical camera, a heat source, and a thermal camera to detect and measure differences in heat conduction between a suspicious mass and adjacent normal tissue. Because it operates during both heating and cooling phases and compares the mass to nearby normal tissue, it is less influenced by environmental conditions. The integrated machine learning algorithm processes the collected data and classifies the mass as likely benign or in need of further diagnostic evaluation. 

The validation study included data from general practices, reflecting routine clinical cases. While certain masses were excluded due to inconclusive cytology, the device demonstrated the ability to correctly identify various malignant tumors, including carcinomas, sarcomas, and mast cell tumors, though low-grade mast cell tumors were more challenging to detect. False positives involved mainly benign lesions and inflammatory changes, which underscores the rationale for a screening device that prioritizes high sensitivity and negative predictive value. By accepting some false positives, clinicians are encouraged to perform additional diagnostics on potentially suspicious masses, avoiding the risk of missing malignant tumors. 

Although limited by the number of malignant cases and the fact that not all masses were histologically confirmed, the results indicate that the HT Vista system may serve as a useful screening and decision support tool in everyday veterinary practice. Further refinement through the acquisition of more data and closer examination of specific tumor types could improve performance and broaden its clinical applications. 

Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs, with various types of tumors frequently encountered in veterinary practice. Diagnostic approaches often rely on fine-needle aspirations or biopsies, but both have limitations such as invasiveness, cost, and the potential for inconclusive cytology. Thermography, the process of capturing thermal images based on infrared radiation emitted by tissues, has shown some promise in identifying malignant lesions, but steady-state thermal imaging alone has produced mixed results. 

The HT Vista system is a novel diagnostic device that uses dynamic heat diffusivity to assess subcutaneous and cutaneous masses. It incorporates an optical camera, a heat source, and a thermal camera to detect and measure differences in heat conduction between a suspicious mass and adjacent normal tissue. Because it operates during both heating and cooling phases and compares the mass to nearby normal tissue, it is less influenced by environmental conditions. The integrated machine learning algorithm processes the collected data and classifies the mass as likely benign or in need of further diagnostic evaluation. 

The validation study included data from general practices, reflecting routine clinical cases. While certain masses were excluded due to inconclusive cytology, the device demonstrated the ability to correctly identify various malignant tumors, including carcinomas, sarcomas, and mast cell tumors, though low-grade mast cell tumors were more challenging to detect. False positives involved mainly benign lesions and inflammatory changes, which underscores the rationale for a screening device that prioritizes high sensitivity and negative predictive value. By accepting some false positives, clinicians are encouraged to perform additional diagnostics on potentially suspicious masses, avoiding the risk of missing malignant tumors. 

Although limited by the number of malignant cases and the fact that not all masses were histologically confirmed, the results indicate that the HT Vista system may serve as a useful screening and decision support tool in everyday veterinary practice. Further refinement through the acquisition of more data and closer examination of specific tumor types could improve performance and broaden its clinical applications. 

Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs, with various types of tumors frequently encountered in veterinary practice. Diagnostic approaches often rely on fine-needle aspirations or biopsies, but both have limitations such as invasiveness, cost, and the potential for inconclusive cytology. Thermography, the process of capturing thermal images based on infrared radiation emitted by tissues, has shown some promise in identifying malignant lesions, but steady-state thermal imaging alone has produced mixed results. 

The HT Vista system is a novel diagnostic device that uses dynamic heat diffusivity to assess subcutaneous and cutaneous masses. It incorporates an optical camera, a heat source, and a thermal camera to detect and measure differences in heat conduction between a suspicious mass and adjacent normal tissue. Because it operates during both heating and cooling phases and compares the mass to nearby normal tissue, it is less influenced by environmental conditions. The integrated machine learning algorithm processes the collected data and classifies the mass as likely benign or in need of further diagnostic evaluation. 

The validation study included data from general practices, reflecting routine clinical cases. While certain masses were excluded due to inconclusive cytology, the device demonstrated the ability to correctly identify various malignant tumors, including carcinomas, sarcomas, and mast cell tumors, though low-grade mast cell tumors were more challenging to detect. False positives involved mainly benign lesions and inflammatory changes, which underscores the rationale for a screening device that prioritizes high sensitivity and negative predictive value. By accepting some false positives, clinicians are encouraged to perform additional diagnostics on potentially suspicious masses, avoiding the risk of missing malignant tumors. 

Although limited by the number of malignant cases and the fact that not all masses were histologically confirmed, the results indicate that the HT Vista system may serve as a useful screening and decision support tool in everyday veterinary practice. Further refinement through the acquisition of more data and closer examination of specific tumor types could improve performance and broaden its clinical applications. 

Dank Gillian , Buber Tali , Rice Anna , Kraicer Noa , Hanael Erez , Shasha Tamir , Aviram Gal , Yehudayoff Amir , Kent Michael S. Training and validation of a novel non-invasive imaging system for ruling out malignancy in canine subcutaneous and cutaneous masses using machine learning in 664 masses Frontiers in Veterinary Science Volume 10 2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1164438 

Bottom line — Good negative predictive value but …

Just putting things in perspective …