PSVIII-B-10 - Feeding Senior Labrador Retrievers Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate to Prevent Sarcopenia

Abstract: Conditions which affect humans are often closely followed by our companion animals, especially in aging populations. Canines often present with muscle wasting diseases such as sarcopenia and cachexia as a result of aging or chronic disease. In this 26wk study, our goal was to evaluate the effects of feeding 1.5x AAFCO CP from whey protein isolate and a pea isolate compared to feeding senior dogs a standard AAFCO CP diet (45g CP/1000 kcal DM) on body composition in exercised senior Labrador Retrievers. Thirty-six (36) Labrador Retrievers (18m/18f; 8-12yrs) were sorted into three equal groups and fed basal AAFCO diet plus hydrolyzed whey isolate, pea isolate, or added fat and sugar (control). All dogs ran 1.6km run twice weekly throughout the trial. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at Weeks 0, 12, 20, and 26. All dogs were weighed weekly and feed intake measured daily. Body weights and feed intake were similar between groups. Whey group gained 1.69% fat and 0.6kg fat mass compared to control group gaining 7.97% fat and 3.05kg fat mass (p=0.045; p=0.005). From Wk0 to Wk26, whey group lost only 0.38kg lean/fat ratio compared to control group’s -1.75kg loss (p=0.021). From Wk12 to Wk26 and Wk18 to Wk26, whey group maintained a higher lean:fat ratio compared to pea and control group (p=0.101; p=0.049). Based on these results, senior Labrador Retrievers fed 1.5x AAFCO CP from basal plus hydrolyzed whey protein isolate during an exercise regimen maintained higher lean:fat ratio compared to seniors fed basal plus pea protein and seniors fed only basal. Senior dogs fed hydrolyzed whey protein isolate also had increased fat loss vs seniors consuming only the basal diet.