2e. Reproduction and Growth Flashcards
What is the average gestation about dogs?
~63 days
What do we know about weight and weight gain with gestation in dogs?
healthy weight gain is 15-25% more than pre-breeding weight
weight gain predominantly in the last third of gestation
after whelping, should weight about 5-10% more than pre-breeding weight
What energy needs do dogs need during gestation?
2 phases
0-42: feed to maintenance
42-birth: inc energy feed by +10%/wk
At parturition, 30% above maintenance for sm litters, 50-60 for lg
What is the average gestation for cats?
63-64 days
What do we know about weight and weight gains of female cats during gestation?
weight increases steady from conception to parturition - weight stored as fat to support lactation
Mean weight gain in queens if 40% of pre-breeding weight
lose 40% of this at parturition
remaining 60% sustains milk prd
What energy needs do cats have during gestation?
single phase requiring increase in energy intake
increase energy fed by 10%wk starting from conception
at parturiton, 140-150% above maintenance energy needs
energy density of food often limiting factor
How is nutrition important in lactating dogs?
energery req steadily increases post whelping
peaks btw 3-5wks, 2-4x higher than maintenance
returns to maintenance about 8wks post whelping
What is method 1 for determining energy needs?
energy req divided into maintenance energy and energy for milk prod
DER for lactating dogs higher than other adults bc of stress and inc activity of caring for puppies
Ex. DER = 145xbw^0.75
145x20kg^0.75
= 1378kcal
What is lactating energy based on?
based on body weight, week of latation and number of puppies in litter
What is method 2 for determining energy needs?
considers litter size but does not take into week of lactation
DER 2.1 x70(bw^0.75)
2.1x70(2o^0.75) = 1390kcal
EL = +25% DER/puppy
EL = 1390(0.25)x5puppies
348kcal x 5
= 1740
ME = 1390 + 1740 = 3130
What is method 3 for calculating energy needsq
takes into consideration changes in energy needs throughout diff weeks of gestation but not litter size
RER = 70x20^0.75
+662kcal > 1.8x662 = MER 1192kcal
Lactationwk1: 150-200% MER
wk2: 200-300% MER
wk 6-weaning: gradual decrease to 150% MER
ME3= MERx220% > 1192x2.2 - 2622
What is important to know about nutrition with cat lactation/
most energy-demanding stage of a cat’s life
peak milk production occurs at 3-4 wks of lactation
energy intake continues to increase; however does take into consideration the energy requirement of both queen and kittens
weight and energy intake of queen returns to normal by weaning
Why are proteins important for repro and growth?
inadequate protein can result in
lower birth weights, higher neonatal mortality, impaired immune systems, poor lactation, poor growth
consider digestibility and AA profiles as well as amound
Why are fats and fatty acids important in repro and growth?
inc fat intake during gestation (last trimester in dogs) could = inc fat content in milk by 30%
allows for high caloric density req for C/D (more than twice the calories of protein and carbs)
arachidonic acid essential for cats for fetal brain development, gestation/repro success, viability of kittens
Why is DHA important in repro and growth? What does DHA stand for?
docosahexaenoic acid (omega 3 fatty acid)
supports retinal and auditory development
important in brain development
milk concentrations parallel food intake
now recognized by AAFCO as an essential nutrient for growth
Why are carbohydrates important for growth and repro?
no true carbs requirement during gest + lact
digestible carbs = protect against weight loss during preg, inc birth weight and neonatal survival, improves lactaction performance
feeding a carb-free det to dogs inc risk of periparturient hypoglycemia (also caused by poor BCS and malnutrition) - protein must be inc by at least 50% (and doubled when energy req are highest) to combat this risk if no carbs given
Why is calcium and phosphours important in repro and growth?
Ca/P needs similar to those for maintenance for early gestation in dogs
during later parts of gestation (dogs) and during gestion (cats) and during lact (both) requirements inc
rapid fetal skeletal growth, milk prod
Calcium-phosphorus ratio important
commercial supplementation not recommended when appropriately balanced foods being fed
What is ecalmpsia?
sudden dec in extracellular Ca con
highest risk @ wks 2-3 bc Ca loss highest via secretion in milk
Typically affected dogs are primipara, <4yrs, toy breed dogs, high litter size
Ca supplementation during preg can predispose
impairs normal Ca mobilization from bone
Ca homestatis unable to maintain lvls when demand increases
What are 3 critical factors to ensure neonatal success
maternal nutrition during gestation/lact critical
behav and physical health of the dam
neonatal husbandry
Describe the neonatal period?
from whelping to when eyes start to open (~13 days)
two activities - sleep, nursing
Spend >80% time sleeping - never deep sleep or quiet
Describe the transition period
from when the eyes open to 3 eks of age
responsive to enviro
playing and tail wagging behaviours develop
lose need for perineal stimulation