{"topic_id":"evidence_pregnant_lactating_bitch_diet","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_pregnant_lactating_bitch_diet\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: \"Evidence cluster — pregnant & lactating bitch (dam) nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC + PubMed)\"\nlang: en\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_pregnant_lactating_bitch_diet_2026-07-22.txt\nsource: Europe PMC REST search (first-hand PMIDs) + PubMed efetch verbatim abstracts, pulled 2026-07-22\ndate_parsed: 2026-07-22\nmodel: codebuddy\nbatch: P0-EVIDENCE-8\nverified: 2026-07-22 substring_match 24/24 claims passed\npath: evidence/evidence_pregnant_lactating_bitch_diet/01_pregnant_lactating_bitch_diet.md\n---\n## Representative peer-reviewed studies (verbatim abstracts)\n\nThe following studies were retrieved from Europe PMC / PubMed and are reproduced verbatim. Interpretive synthesis is left to the API user.\n\n### PMID:41852679 — Accelerated early weight gain of neonatal puppies from overweight bitches compared to lean dams in spite of similar milk macronutrient composition.\n- Source: Front Nutr 2026\n1. Front Nutr. 2026 Mar 3;13:1747221. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1747221. eCollection\n 2026.\n\nAccelerated early weight gain of neonatal puppies from overweight bitches \ncompared to lean dams in spite of similar milk macronutrient composition.\n\nMcCarter SJ(1), Werre SR(2), Power ML(3), Balogh O(4).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United \nStates.\n(2)Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of \nVeterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States.\n(3)Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, \nWashington, DC, United States.\n(4)Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of \nVeterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States.\n\nINTRODUCTION: Lactation is the final pathway for the maternal metabolism to \ninfluence the neonate. Studies in women and animals have shown maternal body \ncondition affecting milk composition and/or offspring growth and adiposity. The \neffect of the body condition of the dam on neonatal puppy growth rate has never \nbeen examined, despite a growing population of overweight breeding dogs. This \nstudy aimed to compare the milk macronutrient composition and puppy growth rate \nduring the neonatal period between overweight and lean bitches.\nMETHODS: A total of 16 litters from 15 medium- to large-breed client-owned dogs \nwere enrolled after whelping. Dams were classified into lean (LE, body condition \nscore [BCS]: 4-5/9, n = 8) and overweight (OW, BCS: 6-7/9, n = 8) groups. Milk \nwas collected from bitches at 5 timepoints (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of \nlactation). Growth curves of a total of 106 puppies born alive to LE (n = 58) \nand OW (n = 48) mothers and exclusively nursing on the dam were analyzed until \n21 days of age. Birth weight, daily body weights, average daily weight gain \n(ADGg), average daily percent gain (ADG%), average daily percent gain from birth \n(ADGB%), and total percent gain from birth (TGB%), as well as milk dry matter, \ncrude protein, sugar, fat, ash, and calculated gross energy, were analyzed using \na mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA); the significance level was set at a \np-value of <0.05.\nRESULTS: Puppy birth weights were unaffected by litter size and the dam BCS. \nPuppy growth curves and TGB% were significantly different between the two \nmaternal groups. ADGg, ADG%, and ADGB% were significantly higher in OW dam \npuppies on day 2 and day 4 after birth. Puppies born heavier remained heavier, \nwhile ADG% and ADGB% were inversely related to birth weight. Litter size had no \neffect on these growth parameters. Swimmer puppy syndrome was observed in eight \npuppies from three OW dam litters. Dam BCS had no significant effect on milk \nmacronutrients in the first 4 weeks of lactation.\nDISCUSSION: In conclusion, despite the similar day-to-day neonatal body weights \nbetween the maternal groups, puppies from OW dams grew differently, gaining more \nweight in the first week of life. Factors other than milk macronutrient \ncomposition are likely responsible for these differences.\n\nCopyright © 2026 McCarter, Werre, Power and Balogh.\n\nDOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1747221\nPMCID: PMC12994540\nPMID: 41852679\n\nConflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared that this work was \nconducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could \nbe construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author OB declared that \nthey were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. \nThis had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Front Nutr 2026\n1. Front Nutr. 2026 Mar 3;13:1747221. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1747221. eCollection\n 2026.\n\nAccelerated early weight gain of neonatal puppies from overweight bitches \ncompared t\n\n### PMID:42311397 — Case Report: Infertility in bitches at a German Shepherd breeding center and nutritional management.\n- Source: Front Vet Sci 2026\n1. Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jun 2;13:1801445. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1801445. \neCollection 2026.\n\nCase Report: Infertility in bitches at a German Shepherd breeding center and \nnutritional management.\n\nPenazzi L(1), Pisu MC(2), Agrillo M(3), Prola L(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.\n(2)Centro di Referenza Veterinario (VRC), Turin, Italy.\n(3)Pet Food Project, Rome, Italy.\n\nBACKGROUND: Inadequate nutrition of the dams, even if recognized as a possible \ncause of infertility, it is usually underestimated during the common \ndiagnostical procedures (i.e., clinical examination, vaginal cytology, \nultrasound, blood and urine analysis). Although the diet may meet adult \nmaintenance requirements, several nutrients can be suboptimal during the \npre-gestation period and may influence reproductive performance. This case \nreport describes the use of an oral supplement to increase fertility in a German \nSheperd breeding center experiencing prolonged secondary anoestrus.\nCASE PRESENTATION: Fifteen German Shepherd bitches with secondary anoestrus \n(>12 months) underwent standard reproductive workup (vaginal cytology, hormone \nassays, ultrasound, and semen testing of sires). Abdominal ultrasound of the \nbitches did not present any signs of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH). \nSimilarly, metabolic disorders (hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease) were ruled \nout. It was hypothesized that the kennel diet might have provided suboptimal \nbioavailability of nutrients; as such the nutritional plan was reviewed, and a \nmulti-component \"fertility mix\" (liquid and powder phases dosed daily at \n0.8 g/kg0.75 and 0.4 g/kg0.75, respectively) was added to the usual complete \nmaintenance ration.\nRESULTS: Within 6 months of supplementation, 12/15 bitches resumed cyclicity and \nwere confirmed pregnant or gave birth; whereas three underweight bitches with \nchronic enteropathies did not resume cyclicity.\nCONCLUSION AND LIMITATIONS: The diagnostic approach to infertility is complex \nand involves both male and female factors, while dietary adequacy is often \noverlooked. Nutrients such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid \n(DHA), arachidonic acid, folic acid, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc may influence \novarian steroidogenesis and antioxidant systems, and maintenance diets may not \nalways be optimal for bitches intended for reproduction. These observations are \nhypothesis-generating; baseline and follow-up nutrient biomarkers were not \nobtained and no untreated control group was available, precluding causal \ninference.\n\nCopyright © 2026 Penazzi, Pisu, Agrillo and Prola.\n\nDOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1801445\nPMCID: PMC13269329\nPMID: 42311397\n\nConflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared that this work was \nconducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could \nbe construed as a potential conflict of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Front Vet Sci 2026\n1. Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jun 2;13:1801445. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1801445. \neCollection 2026.\n\nCase Report: Infertility in bitches at a German Shepherd breeding center and\n\n### PMID:42309750 — When physiology fails: Endocrine and clinical perspectives on complicated pregnancy and parturition outcomes in dogs.\n- Source: J Reprod Dev 2026\n1. J Reprod Dev. 2026;72(3):390-397. doi: 10.1262/jrd.2025-133.\n\nWhen physiology fails: Endocrine and clinical perspectives on complicated \npregnancy and parturition outcomes in dogs.\n\nBalogh O(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of \nVeterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.\n\nIn this review, metabolic, endocrine and molecular dysregulation of canine \npregnancy and parturition complications are discussed in a clinical context. The \nfocus on metabolic and hormonal abnormalities of pregnancy includes gestational \ndiabetes mellitus, pregnancy toxemia, hypocalcemia, luteal insufficiency and \nhypothyroidism, all with potential negative maternal and fetal outcomes. \nGestational pseudo-Addisonian crisis, a rather infrequent but severe \ncomplication of canine pregnancy with yet unexplained pathophysiology is also \npresented. While most of these pregnancy complications have long been known, \npotential gaps in our understanding of their pathophysiology are shown. \nComplications during parturition affect 5-37% of all canine whelpings, posing a \nsignificant risk to the newborns and the mother. This review discusses recent \nadvances about the pathophysiology of primary uterine inertia (PUI), which is \nthe most frequently diagnosed type of dystocia in the bitch. A multifactorial \norigin of PUI is supported, although clear conclusions applicable to all cases \ncannot yet be drawn. Lower than normal maternal peripheral oxytocin and blood \nionized calcium concentrations, as well as placental dysfunction resulting in \ndecreased prostaglandin F2α production may be involved in its development. \nFurthermore, PUI has been linked to changes in the expression of several \ncontractility-associated genes and proteins in the uterus, which may cause \naltered contractility, or alternatively and simultaneously reflect the \ntime-dependent progression of labor. Future studies should focus on the \ninterplay between the placenta, uterus, and the cervix to elucidate the \nunderlying mechanical, endocrine and molecular mechanisms of PUI.\n\nDOI: 10.1262/jrd.2025-133\nPMCID: PMC13286665\nPMID: 42309750 [Indexed for MEDLINE]\n\nConflict of interest statement: None.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:J Reprod Dev 2026\n1. J Reprod Dev. 2026;72(3):390-397. doi: 10.1262/jrd.2025-133.\n\nWhen physiology fails: Endocrine and clinical perspectives on complicated \npregnancy and parturition outcome\n\n### PMID:42006391 — Pre-pyloric enteral nutrition versus total parenteral nutrition on survival in dogs with acute pancreatitis.\n- Source: Vet Evid 2025\n1. Vet Evid. 2025 Dec 11;10(4):vetevid-10-4-730. doi: 10.18849/ve.v10i4.730. \neCollection 2025 Oct-Dec.\n\nPre-pyloric enteral nutrition versus total parenteral nutrition on survival in \ndogs with acute pancreatitis.\n\nTing FTF.\n\nPICO QUESTION: In dogs with acute pancreatitis, does pre-pyloric enteral \nnutrition compared to total parenteral nutrition result in an improved survival \nrate?\nCATEGORY OF RESEARCH: Treatment.\nNUMBER AND TYPE OF STUDY DESIGNS REVIEWED: One paper was critically reviewed. It \nwas an open-label, prospective pilot study.\nSTRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Weak.\nOUTCOMES REPORTED: There was no difference in outcome between the two treatments \nin this study.\nCONCLUSION: There is currently weak evidence on the effect of pre-pyloric \nenteral nutrition compared to total parenteral nutrition on the survival rate of \ndogs with acute pancreatitis.\n\nCopyright (c) 2025 Felix Tsz Fung Ting.\n\nDOI: 10.18849/ve.v10i4.730\nPMCID: PMC13011048\nPMID: 42006391\n\nConflict of interest statement: Contribute to the evidence: There are two main \nways you can contribute to the evidence base while also enhancing your CPD: tell \nus your information need; write a knowledge summary. Either way, you will be \nhelping to add to the evidence base, and strengthen the decisions that \nveterinary professionals around the world make to give animals the best possible \ncare. Learn more here: \nhttps://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/author-hubDisclaimerKnowledge \nSummaries are a peer-reviewed article type which aims to answer a clinical \nquestion based on the best available current evidence. It does not override the \nresponsibility of the practitioner. Informed decisions should be made by \nconsidering such factors as individual clinical expertise and judgement along \nwith patient’s circumstances and owners’ values. Knowledge Summaries are a \nresource to help inform and any opinions expressed within the Knowledge \nSummaries are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the \nRCVS Knowledge. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the content. While \nthe Editor and Publisher believe that all content herein are in accord with \ncurrent recommendations and practice at the time of publication, they accept no \nlegal responsibility for any errors or omissions, and make no warranty, express \nor implied, with respect to material contained within. For further information \nplease refer to our Terms of Use. The author declares no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Vet Evid 2025\n1. Vet Evid. 2025 Dec 11;10(4):vetevid-10-4-730. doi: 10.18849/ve.v10i4.730. \neCollection 2025 Oct-Dec.\n\nPre-pyloric enteral nutrition versus total parenteral nutrition on survi\n\n### PMID:41227526 — Salmonellosis Outbreak in a Rottweiler Kennel Associated with Raw Meat-Based Diets.\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Nov 3;15(21):3196. doi: 10.3390/ani15213196.\n\nSalmonellosis Outbreak in a Rottweiler Kennel Associated with Raw Meat-Based \nDiets.\n\nBoneva-Marutsova B(1), Marutsov P(1), Geisler ML(2), Zhelev G(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, \nFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.\n(2)Laboklin GmbH & CO.KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.\n\nThis case describes an outbreak of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella enterica \nsubspecies enterica serotype Agona in a Rottweiler breeding kennel, associated \nwith raw meat-based diet (RMBD) of unlicensed origin. The report presents the \nclinical, epidemiological, and microbiological characteristics of the outbreak, \nas well as the control and preventive measures undertaken. Methods: Samples of \nfaeces, vomit, raw food, and environmental surfaces were collected and examined. \nThe isolated pathogen was identified using bacteriological culture, biochemical \ntesting, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and serotyping according to the \nWhite-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by \nthe broth microdilution method in accordance with standards of Clinical and \nLaboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results: Clinical signs included \nvomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and dehydration without fever, with disease \nexacerbation observed in post-partum animals. Extensive carriage and faecal \nshedding of S. Agona were detected in affected dogs, along with widespread \ncontamination of food and the kennel environment. The isolate was susceptible to \nsome antimicrobial agents but resistant to cephalexin, aminoglycosides, \nlincosamides, macrolides, and fusidic acid, and showed intermediate \nsusceptibility to polymyxin B. Following discontinuation of raw meat feeding, \ntargeted antimicrobial therapy, and environmental disinfection, all dogs \nrecovered, and subsequent tests for Salmonella spp., were negative. All human \ncontacts also tested negative. Conclusions: This represents the first documented \noutbreak of S. Agona infection in dogs in Bulgaria linked to a RMBD. The \nfindings emphasise the importance of feed safety, biosecurity, and traceability \nof feed sources in kennels, as well as the potential zoonotic risk associated \nwith raw feeding practices. The diagnostic and therapeutic measures implemented \nin this case provide an effective model for managing similar epidemiological \nevents within the One Health framework.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani15213196\nPMCID: PMC12611043\nPMID: 41227526\n\nConflict of interest statement: Marie-Louise Geisler was employed by Laboklin. \nAll the authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any \ncommercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential \nconflict of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Nov 3;15(21):3196. doi: 10.3390/ani15213196.\n\nSalmonellosis Outbreak in a Rottweiler Kennel Associated with Raw Meat-Based \nDiets.\n\nBoneva-Maruts\n\n### PMID:41801107 — Serum Ionized Calcium Concentrations in Breeding Bitches Over Time in Relation to Mastitis, Metritis and Dystocia in a Guide Dog Population.\n- Source: Vet Med Sci 2026\n1. Vet Med Sci. 2026 Mar;12(2):e70870. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70870.\n\nSerum Ionized Calcium Concentrations in Breeding Bitches Over Time in Relation \nto Mastitis, Metritis and Dystocia in a Guide Dog Population.\n\nAhmed AK(1), Cheong SH(2), Kelleman AA(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College \nof Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.\n(2)Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell \nUniversity, Ithaca, New York, USA.\n\nBACKGROUND: Hypocalcaemia in relation to postpartum diseases is well researched \nin bovine medicine, with findings extrapolated from this species for clinical \nevaluation in the canine. In bitches, the association of serum ionized calcium \n(iCa2+) and the incidence of mastitis and metritis, along with clinical \nhypocalcaemia signs in bitches, has not yet been evaluated. iCa2+ and dystocia \nhave been previously assessed with mixed conclusions.\nOBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare serum iCa2+ concentrations \nbetween bitches that did or did not develop mastitis, metritis or dystocia. A \nsecondary objective was to assess iCa2+ concentrations throughout the estrous \ncycle, including pregnancy and lactation.\nMETHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted in a guide dog population, \nwith serum samples collected to measure iCa2+ concentrations at four different \ntime points (pre-breeding, late gestation, 24 hours postpartum and 10 weeks \npostpartum) over a 2.5-year sampling timeframe. Cohorts studied included bitches \nthat did and did not develop postpartum diseases.\nRESULTS: During 82 estrous cycles recorded from a total of 59 bitches, the \noverall incidence of mastitis, metritis and dystocia in this population was 21%, \n15% and 38%, respectively. Differences in iCa2+ concentrations were not \nsignificant for bitches with mastitis, metritis or dystocia at any time point. \niCa2+ concentrations measured at pre-breeding, late gestation, 24 hours \npostpartum and 10 weeks postpartum were not different between groups.\nCONCLUSIONS: iCa2+ concentrations do not appear to be related to the incidence \nof dystocia, mastitis or metritis, as documented in this study.\n\n© 2026 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & \nSons Ltd.\n\nDOI: 10.1002/vms3.70870\nPMCID: PMC12970165\nPMID: 41801107 [Indexed for MEDLINE]\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Vet Med Sci 2026\n1. Vet Med Sci. 2026 Mar;12(2):e70870. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70870.\n\nSerum Ionized Calcium Concentrations in Breeding Bitches Over Time in Relation \nto Mastitis, Metritis and Dys\n\n","sources":[],"tokens_estimated":3494,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}