Veterinary sciences
L-Carnitine Supplementation in Overweight Dogs: An Uncontrolled Pilot Study on Nutrient Digestibility, Metabolic Health, and Body Condition
By Kahraman O, Inanc ZS, Parlak TM and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
L-carnitine supports mitochondrial fatty acid transport and has been proposed for weight management, but its short-term effects in overweight dogs are unclear. This pilot study aimed to generate preliminary, hypothesis-generating data on these effects, including possible dose-response patterns, to inform the design of a future randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Methods
Twenty-one Golden Retriever dogs (8-10 years) were assigned to three groups of seven: a control diet group (BCS < 7) receiving no supplementation, receiving no supplementation, and two overweight groups (BCS ≥ 7) receiving 1 g/day or 2 g/day oral L-carnitine for 30 days. Digestibility, faecal dry matter and consistency, BCS, body weight, appetite (4-day monadic feeding test), and serum biochemical, endocrinological and oxidative-status parameters were assessed.