Veterinary Small Animal Microbiomes and Nutrition

Preface

About the Companion Website

Section I: Understanding a Microbiome

1.       Chapter 1 Common Definitions

• 1.1.   Microbiome 
• 1.2.   Microbiota 
• 1.3.   Pathogens
• 1.4.   Symbiosis
• 1.5.   Dysbiosis
• 1.6.   Probiotic
• 1.7.   Prebiotics
• 1.8.   Synbiotic
• 1.9.   Metabolites
• 1.10. Metabolome
• 1.11. Genome
• 1.12. Proteome
• 1.13. Biological marker (biomarker) Platforms
• 1.14. Chapter Summary 

2.       Functions of the Microbiome

• 2.1.   Metabolic Functions
• 2.2.   Structural Functions
• 2.3.   Protective Functions
• 2.4.   Participation in Bi-Directional Axis Communication
• 2.5    Chapter Summary 

3.            The Origin and Development of the Microbiome

• 3.1.   In utero to Adult
• 3.2.   Dysbiosis During Growth
• 3.3.   Key Nutritional Factors
• 3.4.   Chapter Summary 

4.            Factors Affecting the Diversity and Density of the Microbiomes

• 4.1.   Genetics
• 4.2.   Age
• 4.3.   Sex
• 4.4.   Environment
• 4.5.   Stress
• 4.6.   Antibiotic therapy
• 4.7.   Nutrition
• 4.8.   Chapter Summary 

5.            Essential Nutrients and the Microbiota

• 5.1.   Protein
• 5.2.   Carbohydrates
• 5.3.   Fat
• 5.4.   Vitamins and Minerals
• 5.5.   Digestibility of Nutrients
• 5.6.   Chapter Summary 

6.             Methods For Microbial Analysis

• 6.1.    The Importance of Characterizing the Microbiome
• 6.2.    Sample Collection And Preservtion Methods
• 6.3.    Current Methods For Microbiome
• 6.4.    Chapter Summary 

7.            Current Natural Focused Treatments For Dysbiosis

• 7.1.   Key Nutritional Factors
• 7.2.   Bacteriophages
• 7.3.   Probiotics 
• 7.4.   Fecal Microbiota Transplants
• 7.5.   Oral Fecal Microbiota Treatments

Section II: The Microbiome’s Involvement In Body Systems

8.      The Immune System

• 8.1.   Innate And Adaptive Immunity
• 8.2.   The Microbiome’s Involvement In Immunity
• 8.3.   Supportive Nutrients
• 8.4.   Chapter Summary 

9.     The Endocannabinoid System

• 9.1. Endocannabinoid System
• 9.2. Endocannabinoidome Axis
• 9.3. Chapter Summary 

10.     Respiratory System Microbiome

• 10.1. The Respiratory System Microbiome
• 10.2. Factors Affecting Diversity And Density.
• 10.3. Diseases Associated With Dysbiosis.            
• 10.4. Key Nutritional Factors
• 10.5. Chapter Summary 

11.     Oral Microbiomes

• 11.1. The Oral Microbiome
• 11.2. Factors Affecting Diversity And Density.
• 11.3. Disease Associated With Dysbiosis and Inflammation.
• 11.4. Key Nutritional Factors
• 11.5. Chapter Summary 

12.      Aural Microbiome

• 12.1. The Aural Microbiome
• 12.2. Factors Affecting Diversity And Density.
• 12.3. Diseases Associated With Dysbiosis.
• 12.4. Key Nutritional Factors
• 12.5. Chapter Summary 

13.     Integumentary Microbiomes

• 13.1. The Skin’s Microbiome
• 13.2. Factors Affecting The Diversity And Density.
• 13.3. Diseases Associated With Dysbiosis.
• 13.4. Dysfunctional Barrier Syndrome
• 13.5. Atopy - Atopic Dermatitis
• 13.6. Key Nutritional Factors 

14.       Hepatic Circulation And Bile Acid Involvement With Microbiomes               

• 14.1.  Hepatic Circulation and Bile Acid Metabolism
• 14.2.  Microbiota’s Role in Bile Acid Metabolism
• 14.3.  Bile And Bile Acids Fundamental Roles in The Regulation of Various Physiological Systems
• 14.4.  Nutrients in Bile
• 14.5.  Liver – Gut – Brain Axis
• 14.6.  Bile Acid Dysmetabolism
• 14.7.  Key Nutritional Factors
• 14.8.  Chapter Summary 

15.      Gastrointestinal Microbiomes

• 15.1.  The GI Microbiome
• 15.2.  Diseases Affected By The GI Microbiome.
• 15.3.  Vitamin And Mineral Deficiencies 

16.      Neurological Interactions With Microbiomes

• 16.1.  The Nervous System
• 16.2.  The Gut-Brain Communication Axis
• 16.3.  Anxiety
• 16.4.  Cognitive Dysfunction
• 16.5.  Psychobiotics
• 16.6.  Nutrients
• 16.7.  Chapter Summary 

17.      Urinary System

• 17.1.  GI-Renal Axis
• 17.2.  Urobiome
• 17.3.  Defenses Against Urinary Tract Infections
• 17.4.  Key Nutritional Factors
• 17.5.  Chapter Summary

Section III: Emerging Ingredients And Alternative Diets

 

18.      Raw Ingredients

• 18.1.  Raw vs Cooking
• 18.2.  Comparing Extruded, Canned, And Raw
• 18.3.  Antimicrobial Resistance
• 18.4.  Fermented Products
• 18.5.  Chapter Summary 

19.     Grain And Gluten Free

• 19.1.  Grains
• 19.2.  Gluten
• 19.3. Chapter Summary 

20.     Cannabinoids

• 20.1. Regulations on Cannabis Products
• 20.2. By-products of The Plant As an Ingredient Source
• 20.3. Concerns About The Heath And Safety of Cannabis Products in Animal Feed
• 20.4. Cannabidiol Supplementation Affects on The Microbiome
• 20.5. Antimicroial Effects of Cannabis
• 20.6. Current Diets on The World Pet Food Market
• 20.7. Chapter Summary 

21.      Insects

• 21.1. Black Soldier Fly Larvae
• 21.2. Heavy Metal And Mycotoxin Accumulation in Insects
• 21.3. Chitin
• 21.4. The Effects on The Host GI Microbiome
• 21.5. Chapter Summary 

Section IV: Communication And Nutrition Plans For Pet Parents

 

22.     Communicating With Pet Parents

• 22.1.  From The Pet Parent Perspective 
• 22.2. How The Brain Processes New Information. 
• 22.3.  Improving Action Results 
• 22.4.  Supporting Pet Parents Through The Decision-Making Process 
• 22.5.  Improving Conversations
• 22.6.  Providing Continuing Support To Pet Parents
• 22.7. Chapter Summary 

23.      Documenting A Nutrition History

• 23.1. How to Ask The Right Questions
• 23.2. Nutrition Questionnaire
• 23.3. Chapter Summary 

24.     Dietary Treatment Plans

• 24.1. Pet Parents Want Veterinary Nutrition Recommendations
• 24.2. Increasing The Value of Nutrition Plans
• 24.3. Components of a Nutrition Plan
• 24.4. Chapter Summary 

25.      Calculations For The Nutrition Consultation

• 25.1.  Energy Requirements
• 25.2.  Calculating kcal/cup or kcal/can from Energy Requirement
• 25.3.  Calculating kcal Per Day by Weight (grams)
• 25.4.  Calculating Calories From Nutrients And Metabolizable Energy
• 25.5.  Calculating Percentae of Body Weight Loss
• 25.6.  Calculating Energy Requirements For a Critical Care Patient
• 25.7.  Calculating Water Requirements
• 25.8.  Calculating Metabolic Water
• 25.9.  Feeding and Transition Plan Formulations
• 25.10. Creaating a Feeding Plan
• 25.11. Chapter Summary

Comprehensive resource providing holistic coverage of the effect of body microbiomes on the health of dogs and cats

Veterinary Small Animal Microbiomes and Nutrition offers new perspective on the prevention and treatment of common health conditions in dogs and cats that arise from or result in dysbiosis of the body’s microbiomes, along with providing alternative first-line solutions of utilizing nutrients—less invasive procedures in comparison to prescription drugs to treat dysbiosis in the body’s microbiomes. This practical manual guides the reader through body systems that are commonly influenced by the microbiota in the microbiomes as well as accompanying dietary recommendations.

Initially, an overview of the body’s microbiome including common terminology and functions of microbiomes precede the chapters on development of the body’s microbiomes and factors influencing their diversity and density. The following three sections provide readers with a different perspective of commonly observed health conditions by focusing on the state of the microbiome and how the condition may be prevented and/or treated with the use of nutrients.

Written by a highly qualified author with significant experience in the field, Veterinary Small Animal Microbiomes and Nutrition includes information on sample topics such as:

• Results of research on alternative diets and emerging ingredients’ effect on the microbiomes and how to have the discussions with pet parents
• Nutrition focused calculations, feeding directions, and templates for history, and recommendation for follow-up conversations with pet parents
• Factors affecting the diversity and density of the microbiomes, such as genetics, age, sex, environment, stress, antibiotic therapy, and nutrition
• Integumentary microbiomes, covering the skin's microbiome, dysfunctional barrier syndrome, atopy (atopic dermatitis), and key nutritional factors

Veterinary Small Animal Microbiomes and Nutrition is an essential resource for students completing companion animal health courses in two- and four-year programs, particularly those in veterinary technology, veterinary technician, and animal health technology diplomas and degrees, and it is also highly useful for students in other veterinary and animal science focused programs. Additionally, this book is essential in the library of veterinary practices as they introduce microbiome medicine into their practices.

Robin Saar, RVT, VTS (NUTRITION), National Nutrition Ambassador, Vetstrategy, Toronto, Canada

Robin graduated from the now TRU University in 1996, with a diploma in Animal Health Technology and subsequently passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Being fortunate to have worked as an RVT in small and mixed animal practices until 2009, she was able to receive a wide variety of experience before changing paths to manage a large canine, feline, and equine boarding facility. In 2014, she returned to work as an RVT at a mixed animal practice where she progressed to the Practice Manager position for 3 years. During this transition, she was able to successfully complete her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Nutrition (June 2019), and a Certificate in both Small Business Human Resources (2018), and Small Business Management (2019). Her passion for nutrition is apparent to those who have attended a session, where she has spoken on a variety of topics such as: nutrition, effective communication, and team building. Her current role as the National Nutrition Ambassador at Vetstrategy is a one of a kind role for an RVT, that she initiated by sending an email to the executive of the company in regard to the need for them to have this role in their organization. "Her principle is "Nutrition is a part of every pet, every day". This is Robin's first textbook, after receiving her veterinary technician specialty in nutrition in 2019, she has continued to participate in a learning environment by actively reading current research, along with engaging peers as a speaker at a variety of sessions and conferences internationally, including a session focused on this topic.

Dr Sarah Dodd, BVSc, MSc, PhD, DECVCN, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, member of European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition.

Dr. Dodd received her veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, in 2016. This was followed by an MSc and a PhD in Clinical Studies and Population Medicine at the University of Guelph in 2018 and 2022, respectively. Whilst completing the academic degrees, Dr. Dodd simultaneously undertook first an internship then a residency with the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition and became board certified in 2022. She has authored a number of peer-reviewed publications (articles, abstracts and textbook chapters), co-authored a textbook on Veterinary Small Animal Microbiomes and Nutrition and reviews manuscripts for a number of journals. Dr. Dodd is a founding member and active fellow of the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition.