QUARTERLY BEAT / DECEMBER 2022 ///
axis. 6 We used a number of behavioral markers and signs of FHV-1 to evaluate the effects of BL999 in a 12-week study in which cats moved back and forth from group housing to individual cages to induce mild stress. During periods of individual housing, probiotic-supplemented cats demonstrated increased social interactions (reaching out through kennel bars) with their caretakers and were less likely to pace in their cages.6 In addition, probiotic- supplemented cats were significantly less likely to have elevated levels of serum cortisol concentrations and were significantly less likely to be observed sneezing. Dietary changes can also benefit cats with urinary stones. Because the goal in this case is to promote greater urine volume, feeding a cat a canned diet can be helpful. A therapeutic urinary diet can also be a tool for dissolving struvite stones and preventing the recurrence of both struvite and calcium oxalate stones. 7 THE FUTURE OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN CATS I am confident that in the future we will have more studies to support the use of nutritional therapeutic tools alone or in combination to help veterinarians manage cats suffering from stress-related disease. We’ve only scratched the surface of what we might be able to do with probiotics to affect both the gut and brain. Meanwhile, we continue to learn more about how nutrients such as medium-chain triglycerides and tryptophan can affect behavior in companion animal patients. I’m excited about what the future holds.
References 1.
Westropp JL, Delgado M, Buffington CAT. Chronic Lower Urinary Tract Signs in Cats: Current Understanding of Pathophysiology and Management. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2019 Mar;49(2):187-209. doi: 10.1016/j. cvsm.2018.11.001. PMID: 30736893. 2. Ellis JJ, McGowan RTS, Martin F. Does previous use affect litter box appeal in multi-cat households? Behavioural Processes, 141, 284-290. doi: 10.1016/j. beproc.2017.02.008. 3. Contreras ET, Hodgkins E, Tynes V, Beck A, Olea-Popelka F, Lappin MR. Effect of a Pheromone on Stress-Associated Reactivation of Feline Herpesvirus-1 in Experimentally Inoculated Kittens. J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Jan;32(1):406-417. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14894. Epub 2017 Dec 8. 4. Lappin, M., et al. (2019). “Effect of 2 Urinary Diets on Hematuria in Shelter Cats with Suspected Interstitial Cystitis (Abstract NM14).” J Vet Intern Med 33(5): 2518. 5. Lappin MR, Veir JK, Satyaraj E, et al. Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1. J Feline Med Surg 2009;11(8)650-654. 6. Davis H, Franco P, Gagné J, et al. Effect of Bifidobacterium longum 999 supplementation on stress associated findings in cats with feline herpesvirus 1 infection (Abstract). ACVIM Forum 2021 Proceedings. 7. Torres-Henderson C, Bunkers J, Contreras ET, Cross E, Lappin MR. Use of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet UR Urinary St/Ox to Dissolve Struvite Cystoliths. Top Companion Anim Med. 2017 Jun;32(2):49-54. doi: 10.1053/j. tcam.2017.07.007. Epub 2017 Jul 31. PMID: 28992903.
WHAT IF… A PROBIOTIC COULD HELP PETS WITH ANXIOUS BEHAVIORS?
Through microbiome research, our network of scientists discovered how to influence behavior through the gut. Purina ® Pro Plan ® Veterinary Supplements Calming Care contains Bifidobacterium longum BL999, a probiotic strain shown to help dogs and cats maintain calm behavior. 1,2
Improvement shown in dogs and cats displaying anxious behaviors such as pacing 1,2
#1 veterinarian recommended probiotic brand to support calm behavior *
Helps dogs and cats cope with changes in routine and location 1,2
* Kantar Veterinary Tracker, 2021. | Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. 1. Trudelle-Schwarz McGowan, R. Tapping into those ‘gut feelings’: impact of BL999 ( Bifidobacterium longum ) on anxiety in dogs. ACVB Symposium 2018. 2. Davis H., Franco P., Gagné J., et al. Eect of Bifidobacterium longum 999 supplementation on stress associated findings in cats with feline herpesvirus 1 infection. ACVIM Forum 2021 Proceedings. 1-800-222-8387 (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM CST M-F) | Talk to your Purina Veterinary Consultant LEARN MORE AT PURINAPROPLANVETS.COM/SUPPLEMENTS
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