Aprylic, launched by VetPlus, is a highly purified medium chain triglyceride (MCT) supplement that can now be used as part of a multimodal approach to support brain health in dogs and cats.
The global animal nutraceutical expert has developed the product using insights from the latest research around MCTs and their benefit for animals with particular neurological conditions.
Originally announced at the 2023 British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress, the supplement, which can be added to food, is now in stock and available from wholesalers.
VetPlus technical advisor, Jackie Marshall, who worked with the company’s research and development team on the new launch, explains: “Glucose is the primary and preferred energy source used by the brain but in epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction, glucose metabolism in the brain can become impaired.
“In these conditions, therefore, the brain can benefit from an alternative energy source.
“This is where MCTs come in, as part of a multimodal approach.”
MCTs are a type of fat, comprised of three medium chain length, saturated fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone.
When absorbed into the body, they are converted to ketones by the liver and these can act as an alternative energy source to glucose in the brain.
MCTs have been shown to reduce seizure frequency in dogs with epilepsy. They can also significantly improve spatial working memory, problem-solving and owner-reported trainability in epileptic patients.
In addition, supplementation with an MCT-rich diet in epileptic dogs has been shown to improve ADHD-related behaviours and stranger-directed fear.
There is also published research showing that MCTs can improve the clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in dogs.
Jackie added: “We’ve been working on the development of an MCT supplement for some time as we believe it can have a significant impact when used in clinical practice.
“We are excited to launch Aprylic to help vets support brain health in their clients’ dogs and cats.”
For more information on Aprylic, contact your VetPlus representative or visit the website.
