Page 344 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

Feeding Working and Sporting Dogs 351

blood glucose homeostasis in these dogs (Lewis et al, 1987). It Table 18-13. Feeding plan summary for working and
VetBooks.ir is best if this food is not high in fat (NRC, 2006). As men- sporting dogs.
tioned above (Supplements), glucose or sucrose solutions can
Sprint activity
also be used (Kruk et al, 1987; Reynolds et al, 1997; Wakshlag
et al, 2002; NRC, 2006). Such solutions can be given immedi- 1. Feed a food with the appropriate amounts of key nutritional
factors for this type of activity (Table 18-12).
ately before, during or after exercise and have been shown to 2. Feed the right amount of food (DER = 1.6 to 2 x RER).
minimize the exercise-associated decline in blood glucose, pro- 3. Check body condition frequently to assess energy balance
mote more rapid repletion of muscle glycogen postexercise and and food dose.
4. Time meals and snacks correctly. Provide food or snack >four
improve thermoregulation. The same timing of feeding is rec- hours before activity; offer high-carbohydrate snack within 30
ommended for the several commercial products that are mar- minutes after racing to enhance glycogen repletion.
keted to support energy levels during exercise (specific-purpose 5. Allow free access to water except just before racing.
6. Monitor hydration status frequently.
hydratable powders and dry snacks).
Figure 18-5 shows blood glucose results from a study that Intermediate activity (working/hunting)
examined the effect of feeding time on blood glucose concentra- 1. Feed a food with the appropriate amounts of key nutritional
factors for this type of activity (Table 18-12).
tion during exercise in people riding a stationary bicycle (Costill 2. Feed the right amount of food. The food dose will be highly
and Miller, 1980). One group was given a drink containing glu- variable depending on duration and frequency of exercise
cose 45 minutes before the onset of exercise, whereas the other (DER = 2 to 5 x RER) and should be calculated after assessing
the amount of exercise performed.
group received a placebo drink. Blood glucose levels remained 3. Check body condition frequently to assess energy balance
constant in the non-fed group, whereas people ingesting the and food dose.
glucose drink had a normal postprandial increase in blood glu- 4. Time meals and snacks correctly. Feed after exercise or >four
hours before exercise. Snacks should be given during exercise
cose followed by a severe drop at the onset of exercise. or at the end of breaks <15 minutes before resuming exercise.
Feeding long before exercise (more than four hours) may also 5. Allow free access to water.
aid endurance by allowing the dog to evacuate its bowels before 6. Monitor hydration status frequently.
it begins work.This decreases the weight carried by the dog and Intermediate athletes (training)
may decrease its risk of developing stress diarrhea. Although 1. Feed the same as for work (See above).
the cause of loose stools postexercise has not been determined, 2. Allow adequate time to adapt to new food (>six weeks) before
seasonal work.
some researchers have attributed it to the presence of stool in 3. Begin training and new food at least six weeks before season-
h
the colon at the onset of exercise. As with pre-exercise feed- al work begins.
ings, the timing of postexercise meals also influences nutrient 4. Allow free access to water.
use. Glycogen synthesis postexercise occurs much more rapidly Intermediate athletes (idle)
in human athletes given exogenous substrates within 30 min- 1. Feed as typical adult dog (Chapter 13).
utes to two hours postexercise. Feeding within this time frame 2. Feed a performance food (smaller amount) or typical adult
maintenance food as needed to maintain optimal body
may aid repletion of glycogen stores in athletes who must per- condition.
form strenuous exercise on several consecutive days. 3. Allow free access to water.
The practical application of the above information is feed: 1)
Endurance athletes
more than four hours before exercise, 2) within two hours after 1. Feed a food with the appropriate amounts of key nutritional
exercise and 3) small amounts of food during exercise. Feeding factors for this type of activity (Table 18-12).
must be done during exercise or during short breaks. Feeding a 2. Feed the right amount of food. The food dose will be highly
variable depending on duration and frequency of exercise
hunting dog that has hypoglycemic tendencies at the beginning (DER = 5 to 11 x RER) and should be calculated after assess-
of a 45-minute lunch break may contribute to exercise-induced ing amount of exercise performed.
hypoglycemia (Figure 18-5). 3. Check body condition frequently to assess energy balance
and food dose.
Because large volumes of urine represent additional weight 4. Time meals and snacks correctly. Feed after exercise or >four
and a possible time handicap for racing dogs,many handlers will hours before exercise. If snacks are used they should be given
not water an animal closer than two hours before a competition. during or after exercise.
5. Allow free access to water.
The dog is then confined for one and one-half to two hours after 6. Monitor hydration status frequently.
drinking and will usually empty its bladder upon being released Key: DER = daily energy requirement, RER = resting energy
from the cage. Water should be offered as soon as is practicably requirement.
possible after exercise. Cooler fluids seem to be absorbed most
rapidly (Bucci, 1993). Canine athletes may become significant-
ly dehydrated after prolonged exercise and under relatively warm Table 18-13 summarizes the feeding plans for sprint-, inter-
or humid conditions. Attempts should not be made to replace mediate- and endurance-type activities.
the entire fluid deficit orally or at once. Gradual oral replace-
ment can be supplemented with subcutaneous (or in severe cases Food Adaptation
intravenous) isotonic solutions. Body temperature should be Dogs require some time to adapt to a new food whenever a
monitored because dehydrated animals are less capable of regu- dietary change is made. When dramatic changes in proportion
lating this parameter (Greenleaf et al, 1976). of fat and carbohydrate are made, GI and metabolic adapta-