SUMMARY: ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet^TM/MC canine DIABETIC HF^TM/MC is a complete dog food suitable for adult dogs. This product contains elevated levels of dietary fiber and a restricted fat content.

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RATIONALE:
Diabetes Mellitus:
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterized by one or more of the following: inadequate insulin production, target tissue insensitivity, and/or insulin transport failure.

The current recommendation for the dietary management of diabetic dogs is to provide a diet high in complex carbohydrates (starch and fiber), restricted fat, and no simple sugars (i.e., sucrose). Dietary fiber slows the rate of digestion in the small intestine resulting in a slower release of nutrients into the dog’s circulation. In this way, dietary fiber helps moderate the post-prandial glycemic response in diabetic dogs. For optimal benefit, a combination of insoluble and soluble fibers is recommended. Since viscous fibers are more potent in their actions than insoluble fiber, they are needed at lower levels in the diet. Clinical studies show that DIABETIC HF 18^TM/MC significantly reduces the degree of fluctuation of blood glucose concentrations in diabetic dogs resulting in a smoother, more predictable post-prandial glycemic curve.

Constipation:
Diets high in dietary fiber may help prevent constipation. Insoluble fiber increases fecal bulk, which helps stretch colonic muscles, promoting more forceful contractions and better colonic motility. Soluble fiber contributes to fecal bulk and has water-binding properties to help soften stools.

Clostridium Overgrowth and Large Bowel Diarrheas:
Insoluble and soluble dietary fiber may be beneficial in the symptomatic treatment of certain large bowel diarrheas since fiber helps to normalize transit time and increase fecal water content. In addition, fiber can act as a substrate for the microorganisms present in the colon leading to the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). SCFA have three effects:

Other Applications:
High fiber intake may be helpful in the management of certain motility disorders, such as gastric dumping (i.e., unusually rapid gastric transit).

DIABETIC HF 18^TM/MC contains elevated levels of complex carbohydrates and soluble and insoluble fibers to help moderate the glycemic response in diabetic dogs. While this diet contains higher levels of fiber than other diests in the ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet^TM/MC range, it contains considerably less insoluble fiber than many other high fiber diets. The levels of fiber present in this diet have been clinically proven to be appropriate for managing diabetes mellitus. The negative side effects associated with diets very high in insoluble fiber, such as increased stool volume, are not typically encountered with this diet.

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Special Tips:

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REFERENCES:
Fleeman LM, Rand JS, Markwell PJ. Diets with high fiber and moderate starch are not advantageous for dogs with stabilized diabetes compared to a commercial diet with moderate fiber and low starch. J Vet Intern Med 2003;17:433.

Graham PA, Rawlings JM, Maskell IE, et al. Feeding a high fibre diet to dogs with diabetes mellitus. J Small Anim Pract 2002, 43: 67-73.

Graham PA, Maskell IE, Nash AS, et al. Influence of a high fibre diet on glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitus. J of Small Anim Pract 2002;43:67-73.

Markwell PJ, Giffard CJ. Dietary fibre in dogs and cats – applications in health and disease. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia 2000; 24: 43-50.

Nguyen P, Dumon H, Biourge V, et al. Measurement of postprandial incremental glucose and insulin changes in healthy dogs: Influence of food adaptation and length of time of blood sampling. J. Nutr 1998;128:2659s-2662s.

Nguyen P, Dumon H, Biourge V, et al. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after ingestion of commercial foods in healthy dogs: Influence of food composition. J Nutr 1998, 128: 2654s-2658s.

Graham PA, Maskell IE, Nash AS. Canned high fiber diet and postprandial glycemia in dogs with naturally-occurring diabetes mellitus. J Nutr 1994;124: 2712S-2715S.

Maskell IE, Winner LM, Markwell PJ, et al. Does the canning process alter the physiological effects of dietary fiber in the dog? J Nutr 1994;124: 2704S-2706S

Maskell IE, Markwell PJ. Does canning reduce the benefits of dietary fibre to the diabetic dog? Proceedings of the Waltham Symposium on the Nutrition of Companion Pets:1993, p 85.

Graham PA, Maskell IE, Nash AS. The effects of feeding a commercially produced high fibre diet on post-prandial glycaemia in naturally-occurring diabetic dogs. Proceedings of the Waltham Symposium on the Nutrition of Companion Pets: 1993, p87.

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