Diminished appetite and poor eating behavior accompanied by weight loss or cachexia are often reported in dogs living with cancer. This study was conducted to determine the acceptance and eating enthusiasm in dogs with cancer for a new therapeutic, nutritionally balanced, and calorically dense food designed for dogs with cancer. Adult dogs with diagnosis of cancer were recruited from general and oncology practices and were fed the study food for 28 days. Evaluations included physical examination, body weight, food intake, caloric intake, hematology and serum biochemistry, and owner assessments, namely food evaluation, quality of life, and stool scores. The dogs transitioned smoothly and tolerated the food very well. The results showed high food acceptance within the first day, with continued eating enthusiasm over the 28 days. Significant increases in food and caloric intake were observed, with the study food having a positive impact on body weight in dogs that were losing weight and helping to maintain a high quality of life. Blood laboratory parameters remained within reference ranges. Thus, the therapeutic study food was well accepted and efficacious in supporting continued eating and required caloric intake, promoting a healthy weight gain and maintaining a high quality of life in dogs with cancer.

"Notice of Retraction: Amundson et al. Sixteen years of canine hepatic copper concentrations within normal reference ranges in dogs fed a broad range of commercial diets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Published online March 7, 2024." published on 21 May 2024 by American Veterinary Medical Association.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of age, sex, breed, liver histopathology, and year of death/sample collection on liver copper concentrations in dogs fed various commercial dog foods throughout their lives. SAMPLE: During necropsy, 336 samples were collected between the years 2006 and 2022 from dogs that were fed a variety of commercial dog foods on the market. This study utilized all liver samples available and did not require specific criteria for sample selection. METHODS: Liver samples (n = 336) were analyzed as dry weight for copper concentration by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The potential effects of animal age and year of death/collection (scatterplots and linear regression), sex, liver histopathology (t test), and breed (ANOVA) on liver copper concentration were assessed. RESULTS: Labrador Retrievers had lower liver copper concentrations than Beagles, but mixed breeds did not differ from Beagles or Labrador Retrievers. Analysis of year of death showed that liver copper concentrations decreased from 2006 through 2011, increased in 2012, decreased in 2013, and peaked in 2016, decreasing thereafter. Mean copper concentration of abnormal liver histopathology samples was lower than mean copper concentrations of normal liver histopathology samples. Age (12.9 ± 2.6 years) and sex had no effect on liver copper concentrations. Of note, some samples showed abnormal hepatic pathology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Liver copper concentrations varied significantly with breed and year of death; however, average liver copper concentrations of each year were within normal. However, this was a retrospective population study and diet histories of the dogs were unknown, requiring further investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of age, sex, year of death/sample collection, and liver histopathology on liver copper concentrations in dogs fed a wide variety of commercial dog foods throughout their lives. METHODS: This study utilized all bioarchived liver samples collected during necropsy at time of death from 2006 to 2022 from dogs housed in a closed feeding colony. Liver samples were analyzed on a dry matter basis for copper concentration by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and did not require specific criteria for selection. The effects of animal age, year of death/collection, sex, and liver histopathology on liver copper concentrations were assessed. RESULTS: Liver samples were analyzed from 296 dogs. Age and sex had no effect on liver copper concentrations, which increased linearly over time by an average of 3.41 ppm per year but remained within the normal reference range. Quantile regression indicated that the lowest 5% and highest 5% of liver copper concentrations analyzed were not changing and only a slight increase (3.7 ppm per year) was observed in the lower 25th quantile. The mean copper concentration of abnormal liver histopathology samples was not different from the mean copper concentration of normal liver histopathology samples. CONCLUSIONS: Histopathologic findings or animal demographic did not impact liver copper concentrations over a 16-year period. Liver copper concentration increased linearly but remained within the normal reference range. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean liver copper concentrations for each year remained within normal limits. Studies assessing the impact of specific nutrient profiles and sources in various populations are warranted.