Effects of exchange of dietary medium chain triglycerides for long-chain triglycerides on serum biochemical variables and subjectively assessed well-being of dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Rutz, GM.M. et al.
2004
American Journal of Veterinary Research

In a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial, the effects of three different diets were studied for 12 weeks that contained 0%, 16%, or 35% MCTs relative to total fat content in a total of 27 dogs, to verify that the exchange of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) by long chain triglycerides (LCTs) in the diet of dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) changed the serum biochemical variables and thus to be able to evaluate the good management of diets in dogs with EPI.

A total of 21 EPI dogs and 6 healthy control dogs were analysed and subjectively obtained data revealed no significant differences in appetite, attitude or drinking behaviour among others within dogs fed the 3 experimental diets. High dietary MCT content was associated with significantly higher serum concentrations of vitamin E, cholesterol, triglycerides, retinyl stearate, retinyl palmitate, and total vitamin A in dogs with EPI and significantly higher serum vitamin E concentrations in control dogs and with lower serum concentrations of serum linoleic acid (C18:2[n-6]), compared to low levels of MCT content.

The results showed that no effects were found on the subjective well-being of the dogs, but on the serum concentrations of cholesterol and some fat-soluble vitamins in those fed a diet high in MCT.