Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Excess cystine worsens methionine deficiency skin lesions in kittens
By Strieker, M J et al.·Published in Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition·2006·Department of Molecular Biosciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Excess dietary cystine intensifies the adverse effect of a methionine deficiency in the cat.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of kittens developed skin problems, including sores around their mouths and on their foot pads, due to a diet low in methionine (an essential amino acid). When some kittens were given a diet with excess cystine (another amino acid), their skin issues worsened significantly. Kittens on a balanced diet with enough methionine and cystine gained weight and showed no lesions. This study highlights the importance of proper nutrition in preventing skin problems in kittens, especially the need for adequate methionine levels.
People also search for: kitten skin problems diet · why does my kitten have sores · cat foot pad lesions treatment · methionine deficiency in cats · cystine effects on kittens
Abstract
Foot pad dermatitis has been observed in turkeys, puppies and kittens fed diets deficient in methionine. Excess cystine aggravated the lesions and decreased body weight gain in puppies and turkeys. The objective of this study was to determine whether methionine deficiency induced perioral and foot pad lesions in kittens and whether excess cystine exacerbated the lesions. Eighteen kittens were divided into three groups and offered one of three diets: diet 1, low-methionine, low-cystine (LMLC; 1.6 g methionine and 1.6 g cystine/kg diet); diet 2, low-methionine, high-cystine (HMHC; 1.6 methionine and 15 g cystine/kg diet); diet 3, high-methionine, high-cystine (HMHC; 15 g methionine and 15 g cystine/kg diet). Kittens in the LMLC group lost body weight, whereas those in the LMHC group maintained their body weight and those in the HMHC group gained weight. Plasma methionine concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for the HMHC group than for the LMLC and LMHC groups. Plasma cyst(e)ine (sum of cysteine and cystine) concentrations were different (p < 0.001) among all the three groups. Two kittens given the LMLC diet developed mild perioral lesions. All kittens receiving the LMHC diet developed foot pad lesions and severe perioral lesions. Histopathological changes observed in perioral biopsy specimens were similar to those described in protein deficiency. In conclusion, the results showed that a diet severely deficient in methionine causes perioral lesions in kittens, and that addition of excess cystine to the diet aggravates the perioral lesions and also causes foot pad lesions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17083423/