Changes

Fermentable dietary fibres are utilized by bacteria within the large intestine to produce H₂ (hydrogen gas), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), and the short-chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Acetate and propionate are rapidly absorbed across the large intestinal mucosa with [[Sodium - Nutrition|sodium]] (Na²⁺) and are responsible for water absorption in the [[:Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]]<ref>Herschel DA, et al. Absorption of volatile fatty acids and H2O by the colon of the dog. AJVR 1981;42:1118-1124.</ref>. Acetate and propionate can then be further utilized by the host animal,  and can contribute up to 10% of energy intake<ref>Rerat A. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and nitrogenous matters in the hindgut of the ombivorous nonruminant animal. J Anim Sci 1978;46:1808-1837.</ref>. Butyrate remains in the large intestine where it is used as the preferred energy substrate by colonocytes. Increased intake of fermentable fibre has been shown to increase colonic weight and villus height in dogs<ref>Reinhart GA, et al. Source of dietary fiber and its effects on colonic microstructure, function and histopathology of beagle dogs. J Nutr 1994;124:2701S-2703S.</ref>.

Fermentable dietary fibres are utilized by bacteria within the large intestine to produce H₂ (hydrogen gas), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), and the short-chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Acetate and propionate are rapidly absorbed across the large intestinal mucosa with [[Sodium - Nutrition|sodium]] (Na²⁺) and are responsible for water absorption in the [[:Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]]<ref>Herschel DA, et al. Absorption of volatile fatty acids and H2O by the colon of the dog. AJVR 1981;42:1118-1124.</ref>. Acetate and propionate can then be further utilized by the host animal,  and can contribute up to 10% of energy intake<ref>Rerat A. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and nitrogenous matters in the hindgut of the ombivorous nonruminant animal. J Anim Sci 1978;46:1808-1837.</ref>. Butyrate remains in the large intestine where it is used as the preferred energy substrate by colonocytes. Increased intake of fermentable fibre has been shown to increase colonic weight and villus height in dogs<ref>Reinhart GA, et al. Source of dietary fiber and its effects on colonic microstructure, function and histopathology of beagle dogs. J Nutr 1994;124:2701S-2703S.</ref>.

Insoluble fibres will also increase faecal bulk and dry matter content<ref>Fahey GC Jr, et al. Dietary fiber for dogs. II. Isolated total dietary fiber (TDF_ additions of divergent fiber sources to dog diets and their effects on nutrient intake, digestibility, metabolic energy and digesta mean retention time. J Anim Sci 1990;68:4229-4235.</ref>, a feature that is used in some pet foods to dilute calorie density for weight management, though efficacy at decreasing energy intake is inconsistent<ref>German AJ, et al. A high protein high fibre diet improves weight loss in obese dogs. Vet J 2010;183:294-297. </ref><ref>Butterwick FR, et al. Effect of level and source of dietary fiber on food intake in the dog. J Nutr 1994;124:2695S-2700S.</ref>. Increased dietary fibre intake has also been used as an adjunct therapy to insulin administration to improve glycaemic response in diabetic cats and dogs<ref>Nelson RW. The role of fiber in managing diabetes mellitus. Vet Med 1989;84:1156-1160.</ref><ref>Nelson RW, et al. Effect of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glycemia in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. JAVMA 2000;216:1082-1088.</ref>. Decreased cholesterol and triglyceride absorption may also occur with increased intake of soluble, fermentable fibre<ref>Ikedo I, et al. Interrelated Effects of Dietary Fiber and Fat on Lymphatic Cholesterol and Triglyceride Absorption. J Nutr 1989;199:1383-1387.</ref>.

Insoluble fibres will also increase faecal bulk and dry matter content<ref>Fahey GC Jr, et al. Dietary fiber for dogs. II. Isolated total dietary fiber (TDF_ additions of divergent fiber sources to dog diets and their effects on nutrient intake, digestibility, metabolic energy and digesta mean retention time. J Anim Sci 1990;68:4229-4235.</ref>, a feature that is used in some pet foods to dilute calorie density for weight management, though efficacy at decreasing energy intake is inconsistent<ref>German AJ, et al. A high protein high fibre diet improves weight loss in obese dogs. Vet J 2010;183:294-297. </ref><ref>Butterwick FR, et al. Effect of level and source of dietary fiber on food intake in the dog. J Nutr 1994;124:2695S-2700S.</ref>. Increased dietary fibre intake has also been used as an adjunct therapy to insulin administration to improve [[Nutrition Glosssary#Glycaemic Response|glycaemic response]] in diabetic cats and dogs<ref>Nelson RW. The role of fiber in managing diabetes mellitus. Vet Med 1989;84:1156-1160.</ref><ref>Nelson RW, et al. Effect of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glycemia in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. JAVMA 2000;216:1082-1088.</ref>. Decreased cholesterol and triglyceride absorption may also occur with increased intake of soluble, fermentable fibre<ref>Ikedo I, et al. Interrelated Effects of Dietary Fiber and Fat on Lymphatic Cholesterol and Triglyceride Absorption. J Nutr 1989;199:1383-1387.</ref>.

==Consequences of Fibre Deficiency==

==Consequences of Fibre Deficiency==