EFFECT OF DIETARY INSOLUBLE FIBER ON CONTROL OF GLYCEMIA IN DOGS WITHNATURALLY ACQUIRED DIABETES-MELLITUS

Objective-To evaluate the effect of a high insoluble-fiber (HF) diet c ontaining 12% cellulose in dry matter and a low insoluble-fiber (LF) d iet on control of glycemia in dogs with naturally acquired insulin-dep endent diabetes mellitus. Design-Prospective randomized crossover cont rolled trial. Animals-11 dogs with naturally acquired diabetes mellitu s, Procedure-Dogs were fed HF and LF diets for 8 months each in 1 of 2 randomly assigned diet sequences. Caloric intake and insulin treatmen t were adjusted as needed to maintain stable body weight and control o f glycemia, respectively. After a 2-month adaptation period, control o f glycemia was evaluated every 6 weeks for 6 months. Variables assesse d included serum glucose concentration measured during the preprandial state, blood glycosylated hemoglobin concentration, serum glucose con centration measured every 2 hours for 24 hours beginning at the time o f the morning insulin injection, 24-hour mean serum glucose concentrat ion, mean serum glucose concentration fluctuation from the 24-hour mea n serum glucose concentration, and 24-hour urinary excretion of glucos e. Results-Significant differences in mean daily caloric intake, body weight, or daily insulin dosage among dogs fed HF and if diets were no t found. Mean preprandial serum glucose concentration, most postprandi al serum glucose concentrations, 24-hour mean serum glucose concentrat ion, and 24-hour urinary excretion of glucose were significantly lower in dogs fed the HF diet, compared with the LF diet. Clinical Implicat ions-Results of this study support feeding of commercially available i nsoluble fiber diets to dogs with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus .