• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Texas A&M finds DHA aids canine vision

April 1, 2006
Jessica Tremayne

College Station, Texas - Researchers at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences report a correlation between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and its effects on visual stimulus response in puppies.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — Researchers at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences report a correlation between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and its effects on visual stimulus response in puppies.

Drs. John Bauer, Kimberly Heinemann and associates, conducted a study focusing on dietary lipid metabolism.

"Our interest in DHA stemmed from the inability of humans and animals to synthesize the product," Bauer says. "In order to get the needed amount for optimum health, it must be ingested to achieve appropriate levels."

The three-and-a-half-year study analyzed the visual performance of dogs fed with different fat types.

Puppies fed with vegetable oil food additives, though healthy, did not show the same response as those fed fish oil (DHA).

Advertisement

Exploring The Vet Cancer Registry

"Vegetable oil contains a precursor material to the already present material in fish oil," Bauer says. "The puppy must convert the vegetable oil into something that already exists in fish oil for it to be useful in the body. A puppy would need to be fed 10-times more vegetable Omega 3, and it still wouldn't be as good as feeding fish oil."

The ultimate goal of the research is to translate the new information into a practical diet by calculating the optimal level of DHA in dog/puppy foods as well as the other necessary ingredients.

"The first three months of a puppy's life entails rapid growth and development," Bauer says. "This knowledge can better equip dog food companies and owners to provide essential ingredients for pregnant dogs and puppies," Bauer adds.

The Nestle Purina-funded project included analyzing electroretinogram (ERG) responses from a test group of 56 12-week-old puppies that were administered DHA from the point of gestation throughout lactation and weaning.

"Significant improvement in visual performance with puppies fed DHA diets in regard to response time and efficiency in low-light sensitivity was detected," Bauer says. "The research supports the hypothesis that DHA is a conditionally essential fatty acid for proper growth in puppies."

Four important outcomes of the study include:

(Puppies fed DHA demonstrated)

  • Increased ability to see in dim light.

  • Faster visual reaction time.

  • Response of light sensitive cells in the eye were improved.

  • Increased ability to transmit the initial response of light to the brain.

All of these findings were significantly advanced in the DHA-fed puppies.

"Parallel research in human medicine showed similar effects," Bauer says. "The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of DHA in infant formula."

According to Bauer, more comparative veterinary medical research will be necessary. More research could lead to creating the correct blend that benefits other sensory functions in companion animals such as smelling or hearing.

"However, we will continue to work on finding the perfect formulation for puppy foods that would meet the needs of all consumers price ranges. We are currently looking for an acceptable level of vegetable oil and DHA, with intent on finding several alternatives to contribute to the neurology of puppies," he says.

Bauer says that although DHA is not a new ingredient for puppy food, its listing as an essential ingredient is.

Related Content:

Medical
3 Must-reads for National Poison Prevention Week
3 Must-reads for National Poison Prevention Week
UC Davis study on eye diseases in kittens
UC Davis study on eye diseases in kittens
Dr Natalie Marks to lecture on diabetes management with Dr Adam Christman
Dr Natalie Marks to lecture on diabetes management with Dr Adam Christman

Advertisement

Latest News

CE: Why tapeworms matter

Freshpet and Petco partner launch fresh pet food subscription

AAHA Con heads to San Diego

VHMA announces latest class of CVPMs

View More Latest News
Advertisement