Document Detail


Evaluation of nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics of exotic felids fed horse- or beef-based diets: use of the domestic cat as a model for exotic felids.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19830746     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding commercially available beef- and horse-based diets on nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics of large captive exotic felids and domestic cats. Four species of large exotic felids including cheetahs, Malayan tigers, jaguars, and Amur tigers, and domestic cats were utilized in a crossover design. Raw meat diets included a beef-based diet (57% protein; 28% fat) and a horse-based diet (51% protein; 30% fat). All cats were acclimated to the diet for 16 days followed by a 4 day collection period, where total feces, including one fresh sample, were collected. All feces were scored on collection. Intake did not differ due to diet, but fecal output was greater when cats consumed the horse-based diet. Total tract apparent dry matter (DM) digestibility was higher (P<0.05) and organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibilities were lower (P<0.05) when cats were fed the beef-based diet compared with the horse-based diet. CP digestibility was similar in domestic cats and cheetahs, and greater (P<0.05) than Amur tigers. Fecal scores were lower and fecal DM was greater (P<0.05) when cats consumed the horse-based diet compared with the beef-based diet. Domestic cats had lower (P<0.05) fecal ammonia concentrations compared with all other species. Fecal ammonia concentrations were lowest (P<0.05) when cats were fed the horse-based diet. Fecal total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), and butyrate concentrations were higher (P<0.05) when cats consumed the beef-based diet. Our results suggest that the domestic cat serves as an appropriate model for large exotic felid species, but differences among the species exist. Decreased nutrient digestibility by tigers and jaguars should be considered when developing feeding recommendations for these species based on domestic cat data.
Authors:
Brittany M Vester; Alison N Beloshapka; Ingmar S Middelbos; Sarah L Burke; Cheryl L Dikeman; Lee G Simmons; Kelly S Swanson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Zoo biology     Volume:  29     ISSN:  1098-2361     ISO Abbreviation:  Zoo Biol.     Publication Date:    2010 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-10     Completed Date:  2010-11-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8807837     Medline TA:  Zoo Biol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  432-48     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
(c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Age Factors
Ammonia / analysis
Animal Feed / analysis*
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology*
Animals
Butyrates / analysis
Cats
Cattle
Cross-Over Studies
Diet*
Digestion / physiology*
Fatty Acids / analysis
Feces / chemistry*
Felidae / physiology*
Female
Horses
Male
Meat / analysis*
Sex Factors
Species Specificity
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Butyrates; 0/Fatty Acids; 7664-41-7/Ammonia

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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