Insect-based Novel Protein Diet for Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy: A Prospective Study

Abstract:

Background: Limited data exists on the efficacy of insect-based diets in canine chronic enteropathy (CE). Hypothesis/

Objectives: To determine the effect of an insect-based diet in dogs with CE. Animals: Dogs with CE were prospectively recruited.

Methods: Body weight, nine-point BCS, seven-point faecal score and CIBDAI were assessed at day 0, 14, 30 and 90. Data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test and described as mean (sd) or median (range), as appropriate and statistical analysis using the Friedman test for repeated measures and Dunn’s multiple comparison test were performed.

Results: 25 dogs were recruited, 5 were withdrawn. 14 (70.0%) responded. Median weight for responders was 13.6 (6.25-39.3) kg at baseline, 13.2 (6.67-31.5) kg at day 14, 14.2 (7.1-39.8) kg at day 30 and 13.3 (7-39.3) kg at day 90, with a statistically significant difference found (p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and days 30 and 90 (p < 0.05). BCS improved from a median of 4 (2-6) at baseline to 5 (4-6) at day 90 (p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis revealed significant improvements between baseline and day 30 (p < 0.05) with further increases by day 90 (p < 0.05). Median faecal scores significantly improved from 6 (4-7) at baseline to 2 (2-4) at days 30 and 90 (p < 0.05). Median CIBDAI decreased from 8 (5-14) at baseline to 0 (0-3) at day 90 (p < 0.05). Conclusions and clinical importance: An insect-based diet improves clinical outcomes in canine CE, offering an effective treatment option