Metabolic and Immunological Response in Dogs Fed Homemade Diet with Augmented Nutrient Profile

Metabolic and immunological response was assessed in ten Spitz pups, divided into two groups, fed on homemade diet. The control group was fed with rice and milk based homemade diet and experimental group with augmented composition to optimize the nutrient profile as per AAFCO (1994) recommendation. The feeding trial was continued for period of 150 days. Cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was assessed at 110 d of study, by measuring the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to intra-dermal inoculation of phytohaemagglutinin-p (PHA-p) mitogen. Further, lymphocyte subsets were assessed by fluorescent activated cell sorter technique. Humoral immune response was assessed by inoculation of Leptospira antigen at 120 d post-feeding, and subsequently measuring levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum collected at 0, 7, 14 and 28 days of post-inoculation. To assess the blood metabolites and erythrocytic antioxidants, cephalic vein blood samples were collected at monthly intervals. Dietary treatment did not show any effect (P>0.05) on CMI assessed through DTH response to PHA-p. Significant variations were also noticed in the population of CD4, CD8 and CD4: CD8 ratio. The level of serum IgG was higher (P<0.05) in experimental group than in control group. Data on metabolic indices revealed higher (P<0.05) levels of haemoglobin, plasma total protein, calcium and phosphorus accompanied by increased erythrocytic antioxidants viz. catalase and total thiol groups in experimental group compared to control group. However, the levels of plasma lipid profile, urea and creatinine were found to be significantly (P<0.05) lower in experimental group than the control. Results suggested improvement in health of dogs by optimizing the nutrient profile of rice-milk based homemade diet.