Diet may help dogs deal better with genetic disease

Medical experts and nutritionists encourage people to eat more of certain food types to promote general well-being and overall health. For example, broccoli, green tea, and turmeric are recognized for providing health benefits to humans.

Emerging scientific evidence shows that some foods can help to treat and even prevent certain disease conditions, not only for humans but for our pets as well.

Significant advances in veterinary medicine and companion animal nutrition have been made over the past 50 years, and as a result, dogs are living longer than ever. In fact, many dogs are living long enough to suffer from several of the same diseases that affect the human population.

Nutrigenomics is a relatively new science that explores the interplay between genetic makeup and how the nutrients found in certain foods could assist in the prevention of specific diseases. The mapping of the canine genome in 2004, combined with the knowledge that the onset of disease may occur through changes in gene expression, has led to a whole new field of veterinary medicine.

To date, approximately 450 canine genetic diseases have been identified, and these vary according to breed. Certain breeds are more susceptible to particular conditions.

For example, Dalmatians are at risk for bladder stones, and poodles and Akitas are predisposed to a skin disease called sebaceous adenitis, which results in hair loss, toughening of the skin, and a greasy coat.

Nutrigenomics has great potential to improve not only the health of our pets from disease prevention but, in some cases, prolonging life expectancy.

Professor John Innes, from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, believes the application of nutrigenomics through genetic research marks the beginning of a new way forward in the treatment of many chronic conditions, without the need for invasive surgery or the side effects of drug therapy.

“The science of nutrigenomics gives us great insight into understanding how and why certain canine breeds are predisposed to particular conditions and gives us one more tool in our ongoing quest to treat and prevent illness,” said Innes.

“We know that the progression from a healthy state to a disease state occurs through changes in gene expression, which can be affected through ingestion of dietary factors, and the introduction of pet foods based on these findings is an important step in helping to further explore the concept of nutritional therapy in the treatment of debilitating human and canine diseases,” he added.

As an example of the interplay between genetics and nutrition, Dr. Jeff Sampson, senior geneticist of the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom, said at a news conference I attended that hip dysplasia results from imperfect hip joints, 40 percent of which is inherited and 60 percent which comes from environmental factors such as nutrition.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition utilized the theory of nutrigenomics, combined with clinical studies on the product, to develop a new food for dogs, Prescription Diet Canine j/d. This unique food contains eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in fish oil that has been demonstrated to alter the action of a degenerative enzyme that causes cartilage degradation.

Several clinical studies provide evidence to support the role of EPA as a nutrigenomic tool for the management of canine joint problems.

“The actions of the EPA in Canine j/d help dogs run better, play better, and rise more easily. In addition, dogs experience less stiffness and more ease of movement,” said Dr. Dru Forrester, diplomate of the ACVIM and scientific spokesman for Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

Purina Veterinary Diets launched a competing product called JM, for joint mobility. According to Dr. Dottie Laflamme, Purina’s veterinary nutritionist, “Feeding a diet rich in specific long-chain omega-3 fatty acids positively affects joint health.”

Anytime you have a choice of products to prevent or treat an illness or condition, go with the recommendation of your veterinarian as to which food is best for your arthritic dog.

Some people might ask, “Why not just feed fish oil capsules with EPA?”

You would need to feed an average dog over 20 capsules a day for the same therapeutic effect as Canine j/d. This would be both costly and a hassle.

But weight loss can also have a major effect on canine mobility. Dr. Tony Buffington of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, described a study that showed 50 percent improvement in mobility with only a 10 percent weight loss. This shows the intricate interplay between genetics, nutrition and environmental factors.

Understanding the relationship between genes and nutrients holds the potential to change the way we treat disease in dogs. It is hoped that further exploration may one day lead to the cessation of certain genetic diseases in both the human and pet populations.