Page 1087 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

Flatulence 1131

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flatus episodes or average volume per flatus event in people. PANCREATIC ENZYMES
Simethicone may help reduce gastric accumulation of gas and alle- Pancreatic enzyme supplementation decreases abnormal intestinal
viate upper gastrointestinal (GI) signs. The effectiveness of sime- gas production in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pan-
thicone in controlling flatulence in pet animals is unknown. It would creatic enzyme preparations have also been widely used for bloat-
not be expected to control objectionable flatus odors. ing and abdominal distention in people. Because ingestion of these
preparations should add little to the enzyme output of the pancreas
Yucca schidigera in otherwise normal individuals, no solid rationale exists for their
Extracts of the Yucca schidigera plant have been used to control use in flatulent patients without pancreatic disease. Nevertheless,
fecal malodor in animal waste lagoon systems and may help a recent study in people showed that a microencapsulated pancre-
decrease fecal aroma. The mechanisms of action are poorly under- atic enzyme preparation significantly reduced postprandial symp-
stood and may include “binding” ammonia or altering microbial toms of bloating and abdominal distention experienced by healthy
activity. In the United States, Yucca preparations are only approved people ingesting a high-calorie, high-fat meal. This finding sug-
as flavoring agents in pet foods and it is unknown whether they gests that pancreatic enzyme supplements might benefit some
effectively control flatulence or objectionable flatus odors when patients with flatulence.
ingested by pet animals. An oral treat containing Yucca schidigera
extract, activated charcoal and zinc acetate reduced highly odorif- HERBS AND BOTANICALS
erous episodes of flatus in dogs. More than 30 herbal and botanical preparations have been listed
as carminatives. Grape seed extract containing proanthocyanidins
α-GALACTOSIDASE and β-MANNANASE is one botanical preparation that alters GI microflora and decreas-
Products containing α-galactosidase are available as human es fecal release of volatile sulfur compounds in human patients.
(Beano) and veterinary (CurTail) products. They reduce flatus vol- The dosage, safety and efficacy of grape seed extract and other
ume by improving digestion of nonabsorbable oligosaccharides botanical preparations in pets with flatulence have not been estab-
found in soybeans, beans, peas and other legumes. These prod- lished.
ucts would not be expected to improve excessive flatus due to
other causes (e.g., aerophagia) or improve the odor of flatus. SUMMARY
Anecdotal reports suggest that these products may be beneficial To date, the best evidence exists for short-term use of bismuth
in some animals. β-mannanase is another enzyme that may subsalicylate, zinc acetate and nonabsorbable antibiotics as carmi-
improve digestion of nonabsorbable oligosaccharides in legumes. natives. Less evidence exists for use of activated charcoal, sime-
β-mannanase has been used to increase feed conversion and dry thicone, digestive enzyme preparations, Yucca extract and grape
matter digestibility of soy-based diets in poultry and swine. In seed extract. Changing the feeding plan (food and feeding method),
dogs, however, supplemental β-mannanase was not shown to rather than using carminatives, offers the best opportunity for suc-
increase digestibility of food or reduce flatulence. cessful long-term management of flatulence in pet animals.

Table 65-3. Key nutritional factors in selected veterinary therapeutic foods for cats with excessive flatulence compared to
recommended levels*
Protein Fat Carbohydrate
digestibility digestibility digestibility Protein Crude fiber
Dry foods (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Recommended levels ≥87 ≥90 ≥90 ≤40 ≤5
Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Feline 88 92 90 40.3 2.8
Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Low-Residue na na na 35.8 1.8
Medi-Cal Hypoallergenic/Gastro na na na 29.8 3.1
Purina Veterinary Diets EN GastroENteric Formula 94.0 93.1 79.7 56.2 1.3
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE 30 na na na 34.4 5.8
Protein Fat Carbohydrate
digestibility digestibility digestibility Protein Crude fiber
Moist foods (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Recommended levels ≥87 ≥90 ≥90 ≤40 ≤5
Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Feline 91 89 91 37.6 2.4
Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Low-Residue na na na 38.4 3.7
Medi-Cal Hypoallergenic/Gastro na na na 35.5 1.2
Medi-Cal Sensitivity CR na na na 34.5 2.5
Key: na = information not available from manufacturer; see Table 65-1 for specific ingredients to avoid.
*Protein and crude fiber levels are on a dry matter basis.