The Adequacy of Intravenous Partial Acid Hydrolysates of Casein and Fibrin for Nitrogen Balance in Dogs

Abstract

Two dogs were maintained for 15 weeks on fibrin hydrolysate (acid hydrolysate) and fibrin hydrolysate plus dextrose intravenously at levels ranging from 85–120 mg nitrogen per kilo per day. Nitrogen balance became positive when the level was raised to 110 mg nitrogen per kilo, although weight loss continued. The nitrogen balance index for fibrin hydrolysate given intravenously was calculated to be 0.83–0.86. Partial acid hydrolysates of casein, alone or with an isocaloric addition of dextrose, failed to maintain nitrogen balance when given intravenously in four dogs at levels up to 160 mg nitrogen per kilo per day. Addition of 1.6% cystine on a dry basis failed to improve the casein hydrolysate markedly under the conditions of the experiments.