Features
- Prebiotic and mixed fiber sources to support GI conditions
- Clinically proven to improve stool quality and result in quicker resolution of acute diarrhea4
- Highly digestible5
ST-O-ne GUARD formulated to manage urolithiasis1
Recommended For
- Acute or Chronic Gastroenteritis
- Gastritis/Ulcers
- Small & Large Bowel Diarrhea
- Motility/Emptying Disorders
- Feline Hairballs
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
- Chronic Enteropathies
- Antibiotic-Responsive Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Intestinal Dysbiosis
- PROBLEM
Disease State Education
Gastrointestinal disease is a common reason for consultation in veterinary practice and can manifest in a variety of clinical symptoms.
A number of acute and chronic enteropathies are recognized including gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), protein-losing enteropathy, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, colitis, pancreatitis and constipation. Currently, inflammatory bowel disease is considered the most common cause of chronic diarrhea and vomiting in dogs and cats.1, 2 While the etiology of the disease may not be definitively identified in a particular case, the treatment and management of the condition typically revolves around eliminating the cause, controlling the symptoms and aiding the recovery of the gastrointestinal system.
In addition to pharmacological and antimicrobial interventions, nutritional management has been clinically proven to help resolve and even control future relapses of gastrointestinal conditions.3 Controlling inflammation associated with a disease is essential for successful outcomes and is a key aspect of nutritional management. Additionally, enhancing the functional ability of the organ systems to repair and restore to a healthy state is often where nutritional intervention can provide the most significant impact.
Clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease are myriad and frequently nonspecific. These signs include anorexia or hyporexia, excessive salivation, regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, tenesmus, hematochezia/melena, abdominal pain, weight loss, or simply reduced performance. Constellation of signs/symptoms may aid in localizing GI disease to a particular portion of the gastrointestinal tract.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Short-chain fatty acids are the principal end-products of bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers and have profound effects on normal intestinal cell metabolism and proliferation. Short-chain fatty acids have the potential to improve overall intestinal health, stimulate intestinal healing, and decrease intestinal inflammation.4
Mixed Fiber Sources
Mixed fiber sources help nourish intestinal cells and promote a balanced and healthy intestinal bacterial population, modify intestinal pH, enhance the immune system, and inhibit the growth of intestinal pathogens to promote optimal stools and reduce diarrhea.5, 6, 7, 8 Fiber may be classified in numerous ways, including solubility, fermentability, and viscosity. An optimized balance of these varieties is arguably more important than the overall fiber content of the diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids may also be useful to reduce intestinal immune cell damage and inflammation as well as protect against the damage of colitis.9, 10 There is evidence that the gastrointestinal mucosa is highly responsive to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3s.11 The intake of omega-3s can be helpful in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions as it can alleviate the symptoms and help the recovery of the mucosa due to its anti-inflammatory properties.12, 13
Enhanced Digestive Efficiency
Feeding highly digestible foods provides several advantages in the management of dogs and cats with gastroenteropathies.1, 2 Highly digestible foods are associated with reduced osmotic diarrhea, reduced production of intestinal gas and decreased antigen loads.18, 19
Palatability21
While always an essential part of diet design, animals experiencing gastrointestinal disease require highly palatable diets to ensure compliance and optimize energy and nutrient delivery. Feeding studies in dogs and cats demonstrate that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support is highly palatable.
- EVIDENCE
BLUE Clinical Data
- EVIDENCE
BLUE Clinical Data
- 1. Resolving Acute Diarrhea
- 2. Improving Chronic Diarrhea in Cats with Chronic Enteropathies
- 3. Nutrient Analysis And Digestibility
- 4. Determining Stool Quality
- 5. Urine Relative Supersaturation (RSS) Evaluation
- 6. AAFCO Feeding Trials
Resolving Acute Diarrhea
Purpose
To show that feeding BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support dry diets can improve stool quality and speed the resolution of acute diarrhea in cats.
Study Design
Cats older than 8 weeks that developed diarrhea on arrival at an animal shelter were fed either a species-appropriate control diet (leading dry pet food) or BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food for 7 days in a randomized blind study. The Feline Acute Diarrhea Study included 32 cats in the control group and 32 cats in the BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI group. Animals selected were otherwise clinically healthy and both groups were managed in the same manner. Twice daily stool quality assessments including average daily scores and clean up characteristics were recorded. Stool samples were scored based on a numerical scale (1-7 scale, where 1 is firm and 7 is diarrhea). Stools were further characterized as “pick up” with a score 4 or less, and “wipe up” when the score was 5 or more. Time to resolution of diarrhea was determined for each animal as the number of days from day 0 (initiation of feeding) to achieving a stool score of 4 (ideal). Food intake and general health was assessed twice daily.
Results14, 15
Cats fed BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food had mean time to diarrhea resolution of 4.14 days vs. 5.46 days for the control fed cats, a 24% quicker resolution of diarrhea (P<0.01). Results of monitoring general health, food intake, body weight, and blood variables were within normal ranges.
Improving Chronic Diarrhea in Cats with Chronic Enteropathies
Purpose
To show that feeding BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support dry diet can improve stool quality in cats with chronic diarrhea due to chronic enteropathy.
Study Design
Twenty-two adult cats with clinical signs of chronic enteropathy including chronic diarrhea were recruited for a cross-over feeding study. These cats were residents of a commercial research facility. All cats were screened for pancreatic disease via assessment of fTLI (feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity) and fPLI (feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity)16 at Texas A&M laboratory and 3 cats with elevated values were excluded. Nineteen cats were assigned to the treatment (BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food) or control (leading dry cat food) diet phase for 28 days, then switched to the opposite diet phase, in a cross-over design. Food was offered once daily and available for 20 hours. No other treatments were administered during the study and both groups were managed in the same manner.
The following variables were evaluated during the study. Stool quality was assessed daily and an average stool score was determined for each cat. Stool samples were scored based on a 1 to 5 scale, with scores of 1 through 3 considered “pick up” and 4 through 5 considered “wipe up.” Food intake was monitored daily and body weight weekly.
Blood samples were analyzed on day 0 and at the end of each 28-day diet phase for: CBC, serum biochemistry, fTLI and fPLI, cobalamin and folate (day 0 only.)
Results17
Cats with chronic diarrhea fed BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food had significantly (P<0.01) more stools characterized as “pick up” and fewer stools characterized as “wipe up”, compared with those fed the control diet.
Mean results from three studies in each species showed that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance dry formulas are highly digestible.
Nutrient Analysis And Digestibility
Purpose
To prove that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support is a highly digestible food for cats.
Study Design
Two groups of adult cats (n=7 each for Feline Digestibility Studies 1 and 2) from a commercial research facility were enrolled in the studies. All animals selected were clinically healthy. Animals were individually fed the species- appropriate BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food once daily as their sole source of nutrition for 10 days. Animals were maintained individually in standard, species-appropriate housing and managed consistently during the study, including providing access to activity/exercise. Food consumption was monitored daily and body weights were recorded on days 1 through 6 and on day 10. On the last day of the study, a fecal sample from each animal as well as a sample of the BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI food was sent to a commercial laboratory for nutrient analysis. The results of these analyses were used to calculate digestibility values, including dry matter digestibility. Digestibility analysis was performed according to the recommended protocol for use in the determination of metabolizable energy of pet food as defined by AAFCO.20
Results21
Mean results from two studies in cats showed that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food is highly digestible.
Determining Stool Quality
Purpose
These 4 studies were conducted to show that feeding BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support dry formula can result in ideal stool quality (fecal consistency) in healthy cats.
Study Design
Two groups of adult cats (n=10 each for Feline Stool Quality Studies 1 and 2) from a commercial research facility were enrolled in the studies. All animals selected were clinically healthy. Animals were individually fed the species-appropriate BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food once daily as their sole source of nutrition for 7 days. Food was made available over a 4-hour period. Animals were maintained individually in standard, species-appropriate housing and managed consistently during the study, including providing access to activity/exercise. Food consumption was monitored daily and body weights were recorded prior to study initiation and on study days 1, 3 and 5. Stool quality observations were made at least twice daily and scores were recorded. The scoring scale ranged from 1 for diarrhea to 5 for hard, dry crumbly feces and was aided by photographs of examples. In this study, a stool score between 3 and 4 is considered to represent ideal fecal consistency for dogs and cats.
Results21
Overall, feeding BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI dry food in both cat studies resulted primarily in moist, formed (score of 3) or well-formed, sticky (score of 3.5) stools.
Urine Relative Supersaturation (RSS) Evaluation
Purpose
To show that feeding BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Support food can result in clinically significant urine RSS values for management of struvite and calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
Study Design
Two groups of adult cats (n=10 each for Feline RSS Studies 1 and 2) were enrolled in the studies. All animals selected were clinically healthy. Animals were maintained in standard, species-appropriate housing and managed consistently during the study, including providing access to activity/exercise. The study protocols were reviewed and approved by the research facility’s institutional animal care and use committee. Animals were fed the species-appropriate Blue Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Support food for 23 days. An amount of food calculated to maintain body weight was offered once daily and available for 20 hours for cats. On day 22, a 24-hour urine sample was collected from each animal, using a metabolism cage with a urine collection system for dogs and a specialized litter box for cats. From that sample, urine pH was measured via pH meter and 2 aliquots were frozen and shipped to The University of Tennessee for RSS analysis.22 Those aliquots included a 1-ml sample that was diluted with 1.5 ml 1N HCl, and a 10- to 15-ml sample placed in a sterile container. For the RSS analysis, urine sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, citrate, oxalate, ammonia, pH, creatinine, and uric acid were measured.
Results21
The BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support feline dry and canned diets have RSS values less than 1 for struvite uroliths (dissolution and prevention), and less than 10 for calcium oxalate uroliths (prevention).
AAFCO Feeding Trials
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support for Cats dry formulation provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance. BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support for Cats wet formulation is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Nutritional Information
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance.
Nutritional Analysis
| Nutrient | As-Fed (Average) |
Dry Matter Basis (Average) |
Per 100 kcals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 37.00% | 39.78% | 10.22 g |
| Crude Fat | 15.10% | 16.24% | 4.17 g |
| Carbohydrate (NFE) | 29.83% | 32.04% | 8.23 g |
| Crude Fiber | 3.50% | 3.76% | 0.97 g |
| Total Dietary Fiber | 7.31% | 7.86% | 2.02 g |
| Insoluble Fiber | 6.20% | 6.67% | 1.71 g |
| Soluble Fiber | 1.36% | 1.46% | 0.38 g |
| Ash | 7.82% | 8.41% | 2.16 g |
| Calcium | 1.40% | 1.51% | 0.39 g |
| Phosphorus | 1.01% | 1.09% | 0.28 g |
| Sodium | 0.45% | 0.48% | 0.12 g |
| Chloride | 0.90% | 0.97% | 0.25 g |
| Potassium | 0.90% | 0.97% | 0.25 g |
| Magnesium | 0.11% | 0.12% | 0.03 g |
| Iron | 194.26 mg/kg | 208.88 mg/kg | 5.36 mg |
| Copper | 24.12 mg/kg | 25.94 mg/kg | 0.67 mg |
| Manganese | 21.67 mg/kg | 23.30 mg/kg | 0.60 mg |
| Zinc | 137.78 mg/kg | 148.15 mg/kg | 3.80 mg |
| Iodine | 2.94 mg/kg | 3.16 mg/kg | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium | 0.77 mg/kg | 0.83 mg/kg | 0.02 mg |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.81% | 0.87% | 0.22 g |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.96% | 3.18% | 0.82 g |
| Linoleic Acid | 2.85% | 3.06% | 0.79 g |
| Arachidonic Acid | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.04 g |
| Taurine | 0.30% | 0.32% | 0.08 g |
| L-Carnitine | 32.92 mg/kg | 35.40 mg/kg | 0.91 mg |
| Vitamin C | 150.05 mg/kg | 161.34 mg/kg | 4.14 mg |
| Vitamin E | 600.00 IU/kg | 645.16 IU/kg | 16.57 IU |
| Vitamin A | 29605.45 IU/kg | 31833.82 IU/kg | 817.38 IU |
| Vitamin D3 | 1908.64 IU/kg | 2052.30 IU/kg | 52.70 IU |
| Glucosamine | 653.97 mg/kg | 703.19 mg/kg | 18.06 mg |
| Chondroitin | 1194.72 mg/kg | 1284.65 mg/kg | 32.99 mg |
Metabolizable Energy
| kcal/cup | 405 |
| Grams/cup | 112 |
| kcal/kg (ME Calculated) | 3,622 |
| % ME from Protein | 36 |
| % ME from Fat | 35 |
| % ME from Carbohydrates | 29 |
Recommended Daily Feeding Chart
| 5 to 9 lbs. | ¼ - ½ cup* |
| 10 to 14 lbs. | ½ - ¾ cup* |
*Use a standard 8-oz. measuring cup.
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Peas, Pea Protein, Turkey Meal, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed (source of Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Potatoes, Apple Pomace, Pumpkin, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, L-Threonine, Dried Kelp, Dried Chicory Root, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Calcium Chloride, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, L-Tryptophan, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vegetable Juice for color, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Copper Sulfate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet™ GI Gastrointestinal Support is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Nutritional Analysis
| Nutrient | As-Fed (Average) |
Dry Matter Basis (Average) |
Per 100 kcals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 12.15% | 49.19% | 10.05 g |
| Crude Fat | 7.27% | 29.43% | 6.01 g |
| Carbohydrate (NFE) | 2.24% | 9.07% | 1.85 g |
| Crude Fiber | 0.37% | 1.50% | 0.31 g |
| Total Dietary Fiber | 0.83% | 3.36% | 0.69 g |
| Insoluble Fiber | 0.70% | 2.83% | 0.58 g |
| Soluble Fiber | 0.13% | 0.53% | 0.11 g |
| Ash | 2.67% | 10.81% | 2.21 g |
| Calcium | 0.47% | 1.90% | 0.39 g |
| Phosphorus | 0.45% | 1.82% | 0.37 g |
| Sodium | 0.35% | 1.42% | 0.29 g |
| Chloride | 0.34% | 1.38% | 0.28 g |
| Potassium | 0.28% | 1.13% | 0.23 g |
| Magnesium | 0.03% | 0.13% | 0.03 g |
| Iron | 54.00 mg/kg | 218.62 mg/kg | 4.47 mg |
| Copper | 5.60 mg/kg | 22.67 mg/kg | 0.46 mg |
| Manganese | 5.20 mg/kg | 21.05 mg/kg | 0.43 mg |
| Zinc | 43.70 mg/kg | 176.92 mg/kg | 3.61 mg |
| Iodine | 0.82 mg/kg | 3.31 mg/kg | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium | 0.23 mg/kg | 0.93 mg/kg | 0.02 mg |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.16% | 0.65% | 0.13 g |
| DHA | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.02 g |
| EPA | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.01 g |
| EPA + DHA | 0.03% | 0.13% | 0.03 g |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 1.40% | 5.67% | 1.16 g |
| Linoleic Acid | 1.32% | 5.34% | 1.09 g |
| Arachidonic Acid | 0.05% | 0.20% | 0.04 g |
| Taurine | 0.21% | 0.85% | 0.17 g |
| Vitamin C | 70.00 mg/kg | 283.40 mg/kg | 5.79 mg |
| Vitamin E | 150.00 IU/kg | 607.29 IU/kg | 12.41 IU |
| Vitamin A | 62535.00 IU/kg | 253178.14 IU/kg | 5172.46 IU |
| Vitamin D3 | 680.00 IU/kg | 2753.04 IU/kg | 56.24 IU |
| Glucosamine | 246.00 mg/kg | 995.95 mg/kg | 20.35 mg |
| Chondroitin | 791.00 mg/kg | 3202.43 mg/kg | 65.43 mg |
Metabolizable Energy
| kcal/5.5 oz. can | 189 |
| Grams/5.5 oz. can | 156 |
| kcal/kg (ME Calculated) | 1,209 |
| % ME from Protein | 38 |
| % ME from Fat | 55 |
| % ME from Carbohydrates | 7 |
Recommended Daily Feeding Chart
| Adult | 1 can (5.5 oz.) per 6 to 8 lbs. of body weight per day |
| Kitten | Feed up to twice the adult amount |
| Gestation and Lactation | Feed up to three times the normal adult amount |
Refrigerate unused portion.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Whitefish, Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Pea Protein, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Flaxseed, Taurine, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Blueberries, Cranberries, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2- Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).
References
- Guilford WG. Nutritional management of gastrointestinal diseases. In: Guilford WG, Center SA, Strombeck DR, et al, eds. Strombeck’s Small Animal Gastroenterology, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co, 1996a; 889-910.
- Jergens AE. Inflammatory bowel disease: Current perspectives. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 1999; 29: 501-521.
- Remillard, RL, Thatcher, CD. Dietary and nutritional management of gastrointestinal diseases. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1989;19:797–816.
- Koruda, M, Rolandelli, R, Settle, R, et al, The effect of short chain fatty acids on the small bowel mucosa. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990;51:685–690.
- Sparkes AH, Papasouliotis K, Sunvold G, Werrett G, et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides on fecal flora of healthy cats. Am J Vet Res.1998 Apr;59(4):436-40.
- Willard MD, Simpson RB, Cohen ND, Clancy JS. Effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide on selected bacterial populations in feces of dogs. Am J Vet Res 2000;61: 820–825.
- Terada A, Hara H, Oishi T, Matsui S, et al. Effect of Dietary Lactosucrose on Faecal Flora and Faecal Metabolites of Dogs. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2011, Vol. 5: 87-92.
- Field CJ, McBurney MI, Massimino S, Hayek MG, Sunvold GD. The fermentable fiber content of the diet alters the function and composition of canine gut associated lymphoid tissue. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1999 Dec 30;72(3-4):325-41.
- Barbalho SM, Goulart R de A, Quesada K, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease: can omega-3 fatty acids really help? Annals of Gastroenterology : Quarterly Publication of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology. 2016;29(1):37-43.
- Hickman MA. Interventional nutrition for gastrointestinal disease.Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 1998 Nov;13(4):211-6.
- Stenson, WF, Cort, D, Rodgers, J, et al, Dietary supplementation with fish oil in ulcerative colitis.Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:609–614.
- Trepanier L. Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Rational treatment selection. J Feline Med Surg 2009;11: 32–38.
- Liu Y, Chen F, Odle J, Lin X, et al. Fish oil enhances intestinal integrity and inhibits TLR4 and NOD2 signaling pathways in weaned pigs after LPS challenge. J Nutr. 2012; 142:2017–2024.
- Frantz, et al. Novel food with mixed soluble fiber promotes quicker resolution of acute diarrhea in shelter kittens.
- Frantz NZ et al. Novel food with mixed soluble fiber promotes quicker resolution of acute diarrhea in shelter puppies. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2020; 104; 406.
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine clinical laboratory, 2015.
- Frantz, et al. Novel food with mixed soluble fiber promotes improved stool scores in cats with chronic diarrhea.
- Davenport DJ, Jergens AE, Remillard RL. Inflammatory Bowel Disease In: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition. Topeka, KS: Mark Morris Associates, 2010; 1065-1076.
- Dimski, DS. Therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. in: Bonagura JD, Kirk RW (Eds.) Kirks Current Veterinary Therapy XII, Small Animal Practice. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1995:723–728.
- AAFCO (2015) Official Publication of the Association of American Feed Control Officials Inc., Champaign, IL.
- Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., data on file, 2015-2020.
- University of Tennessee Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine
