AHT 1080 Flashcards
midterm
are dogs obligate carnivores?
yes
what essential amino acids are required for cats?
Taurine, Arginine
why are Taurine, Arginine required in cat diets?
they can only use that specific amino acid to make another amino acid, which binds the ammonia produced by the body when it breaks down protein
what essential fatty acid cannot be made by cats?
Arachidonic acid- from Omega 6 FA
what vitamins are essential to cat diets (dogs can convert pre-vitamin forms)
A, Niacin
what considerations/ activities are needed before making a nutritional recommend?
- Review medical records
- Obtain medical history
- Examine the patient
- BCS (body condition score)/ MCS (muscle condition score)
- weight of patient
- Review laboratory /diagnostic findings
- Review nutritional target levels
high level considerations for food reccomend?
Activity level
Breed
Age
Health status
Reproductive condition (intact, neutered)
Metabolizable energy definition
Amount of energy after losses to urine and feces
Metabolize definition
process of breaking down substances in cells to obtain energy
Energy density (caloric density) definition
of calories in a given volume of food
What are the Six categories of nutients?
- Water
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Fats 6. Minerals
what are Essential nutrients
are components that must be supplied by the diet, the animal cannot synthesize them
what are Non-essential nutrients
are synthesized by the animal
how much water does dry, semi moist and canned food have in it?
10%, 15-30%, 70-80%
How much water should a dog consume
1000 Kcal eaten = 1000 ml of water consumed
why would an animal Require higher levels of water intake
- Lactation
- Young, growing animals
- Increased activity
- High environmental temperature
- Disease: diabetes, hyperthyroidism (PU/PD)
- GI problems: vomiting, diarrhea
what are the different classes of carbohydrates
Monosaccharides - glucose, fructose
Disaccharides - sucrose, lactose
Polysaccharides - glycogen, starch
what enzyme breaks down starches?
amylase
Enzyme definition
biological catalyst, responsible for thousands of metabolic processes. Used to break down starches
what are starches broken down into?
glucose
what is soluble fibre used for
Soluble fibers are often fermentable. Bacteria in the gut can use it as a source of energy (only digested once they hit the lower intestinal tract). Helps to promote healthy gut immune function by supporting the growth of good bacteria (probiotics)
examples of soluble fibre
oats, barley, peas, apples, and carrots.
what is insoluble fibre used for?
helps with the movement of material through the digestive system to help promote regularity. Insoluble fiber can also aid in the prevention of hairballs in cats.
examples of insoluble fibre
beet pulp, soybean and psyllium (mixed fibers).
why are lipids important to diet?
Provide most concentrated form of energy
Contribute to palatability and texture of food
Triglycerides:
- Primary form of stored energy (long-term)
- Important in cell membrane structure and many metabolic processes
essential fatty acids for dogs and cats
- Linolenic (a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid)
- Linoleic
- DHA (helps with brain and vision during puppy /kitten development)
why protein required?
- Major structural component of many body tissues
- Essential for normal hormone and enzyme structure and function
- Essential for maintenance and repair of body tissues
- Growing and lactating animals have increased protein demand
how many amino acids do animals need?
22
how many amino acids can animals synthesize?
12
Taurine deficiency in cats causes what?
heart enlargement
what dog breeds are associated with Taurine deficiency?
Golden Retrievers & American Cocker Spaniels
what is Arginine essential for?
growth (puppies/ kittens)
what is Glutamine used for?
Known for its importance in GI problems, muscle atrophy, and wound healing
what are the 2 types of vitamins and thier characteristics
Fat soluble: A,D,E,K
- can be stored in the body (liver), excreted in bile
Water soluble: B complex and C
- Cannot be stored - excreted in the urine
what is Vit A used for
Vision (retina)
Maintenance of epithelial tissue
Skeletal and tooth development
Spermatogenesis and estrous cycles
excessive Vit A disease
Hyena disease (Bovine)-cause premature growth plate closure
what is Vit D used for
Regulate calcium and phosphorus for normal bone structure and maintenance
Synthesized in skin when animal exposed to UV light, inefficient in small animals
Vit E function
Antioxidant for cell health and repair
Helps preserve fats, EFAs, Vitamin A and AA
Supports skin integrity and immune system to help improve disease resistance
Vit K function
REQUIRED for normal blood clotting
Aids in function of clotting factors
Sources - plant and animal – greens, liver, egg, fish
Vit B complex function
Essential to metabolic processes and in body’s ability to use nutrients
Vit C function
Function:
- Key in production of collagen - structural component of skin, tendons, bone, cartilage and all other connective tissues
- Important antioxidant
- Guinea pigs, humans and primates cannot synthesize
- All plants contain some vitamin C
Minerals function
essential for metabolism
what are the macro minerals?
- Calcium (Ca)
- Phosphorus (Ph)
- Potassium (K)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Sulfur (S)
- Sodium (Na)
- Chloride (Cl)
what are the micro minerals
Copper (Cu)
2. Zinc (Zn)
3. Manganese (Mn)
4. Iodine (I)
5. Selenium (Se)
6. Cobalt (Co)
7. Chromium (Cr)
8. Iron (Fe)
function of Calcium and phosphorous?
- Main components of bone tissue
- Important in cardiac & skeletal muscle function
- Must be in correct ratio
Imbalance (Ca:Ph) or excessive amounts result is skeletal deformities (reduced bone mineralization)
potassium function
- Most abundant in cells
- Essential for proper body fluid acidity and many metabolic processes
- Excessive losses from vomiting or diarrhea, and
too much potassium can cause fatal heart arrhythmias - Low potassium is a common issue for older cats, especially those with kidney problems
what mineral plays a role in acid/ base balance
potassium
what is the function of Magnesium
- Component of bone and of carbohydrate and protein metabolism
- Small Animal - Excess has been implicated in FLUTD (struvite urolithiasis) in cats
function of Sulphur
Involved in protein synthesis, energy metabolism, blood clotting, hormones and acid/base balance
function of sodium
- Maintains metabolic water balance
- Involved in nerve transmission & transport of amino acids in body
- Commercial diets exceed recommended level by 4 – 15 times!
function of Chloride
- Works closely with Na (sodium)
-Maintains metabolic water balance, acidity balance and required for formation of stomach acids for digestion
function of Iron
ESSENTIAL component of hemoglobin and myoglobin (oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells)
function of copper
- Necessary for normal absorption and transfer of iron in body
- Aid in development of healthy red blood cells
- Role in collagen synthesis and function (along with vitamin C)
too much copper causes _____ (inherited disease)
copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers, Westies
function of Zinc
Important for enzyme systems and protein synthesis
Important for skin and hair coat health
function of iodine
- Required by thyroid gland for thyroid hormone synthesis
- Prevention of goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland)
function of chromium
- Aids in insulin function
- Improves glucose uptake by cells
- Lowers serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations
Canned food vs. Dry food
Canned food -
- higher water content
more palatable
great for finicky eaters
Dry food –
- better for dental health
what are EFA used for
(essential fatty acids) used to optimize condition of skin & coat
what are Omega 3 fatty acids used for
may be beneficial in certain kidney, heart, skin and joint diseases (anti-inflammatory action)
what is yeast recommended for
to assist breaking down food
what are flavors used for
Improve palatability with finicky eaters….
nutraceutical definition
Nutritional products that may also have pharmaceutical properties.
glucosamine use
used to help form and repair body tissues such as cartilage
Chondroitin use
synergized with glucosamine. Chondroitin is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is a major component of cartilage, the tough & connective tissue that cushions the joints
what are oral nutrient supplements?
caloric supplement to help boost dietary intake in pets, particularly those suffering from under-eating or malnourishment.
concerns for homemade diets
- Nutritional balance must be carefully monitored. Vitamin and mineral imbalances are especially common
- Diets must contain sufficient nutrients w/o exceeding daily energy requirements
- Homemade diets must be stored to prevents spoilage and preserves freshness.
- Many human foods are not appropriate for pets. Most processed foods contain excessive fat, sodium, spices and other ingredients that can be detrimental to pet health. Other foods may be toxic to pets—owners must do careful research and preferably work with their veterinarian on diet formulation
items toxic to dogs
bread dough, onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, xylitol, chocolate, avocado
items toxic to cats
bread dough, onions and garlic, chocolate (unlikely to eat on own), lilies, tylenol
household items toxic to dogs/ cats
Human medications
Cleaning products
Rodenticides
Vitamin/mineral supplements
organic diet definition
grown with only animal or vegetable fertilizers, such as manure, bone meal or compost.
natural diet definition
not artificial or manufactured. A pet food without chemical alterations.
AAFCO stands for
Association of American Feed Control Officials
what does AAFCO do?
- Nutrient profile
- Labelling
- Feed trial – actual application of the diet to specific species at particular life stage
BARF diet stands for
B - biologically
A - appropriate
R - raw
F - foods
PMR diet stands for
P - prey M - model R - raw
advantages of Raw diet
Claims – better skin and coat, less disease, better immunity, calmer behavior, better breath and fecal odor
Claims - owner feels confidence in the freshness and wholesomeness of the ingredients (as they source them)
disadvantages of RAW
- these diets are NOT adequately balanced to maintain health. It could cause nutritional deficiencies and/ or excesses
- FOOD POISONING if not cooked
RAW diet human health concerns
- Handling of raw meat products – risk of infection
- Zoonosis – some infectious diseases can be transmitted from pets to humans (Salmonella, E-coli etc)
- Serious complications in young, elderly and immunocompromised people
RAW nutritional deficiencies
- Raw meat diets are high in protein and fat and very low in carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals
- Nutrient composition and digestibility of raw and cooked meats are virtually identical
- No “enzymes” in raw meat to enhance digestion
- Incorrect Ca:Phos ratio
RAW risks
- Gastrointestinal perforation (rupture)
- Intestinal obstructions
- Gastroenteritis
- Fractured teeth
RAW health risks
- secondary hyperparathyroidism (Ca)
- Dermatoses (zinc)
- Anemia (iron)
- Orthopedic Conditions (Ca and Vit D)
life stages AAFCO & AAHA
AAHA: Gestation/lactation, Puppy/kitten, Adult (young, mature), Senior
AAFCO: Growth / reproduction, Adult (maintenance)
BCS considerations
- male or female? Spayed or neutered?
- Orchiectomy or ovariohysterectomy can reduce the daily energy requirement by 1/4 to 1/3.
- lactating female requires more energy.
- intact male needs more energy at breeding time. - Age?
- puppies should be evaluated for appropriate nutrition every 2–3 weeks. - What breed is the animal?
- small breed vs large breed dog.
- Siamese vs a Maine Coon cat. - Is it a multi-pet household?
3 methods of feeding
- free/ self feed
- time restricted
- food restricted
what is colostrum
mom’s milk that is very high in protein and transfers important immune system elements (antibodies)
how much should puppies gain
about 5% of their current body weight per day during the first 4 weeks.
goals for feeding puppies
❏ Support immune system functions
❏ Reduce damage from free radicals
❏ Maintain a healthy body condition score
❏ Decrease chance of skeletal disease
❏ Improve brain and vision activity
❏ Support nutrient absorption
❏ Smaller stool volume / frequency, Improve stool consistency, Decrease fecal odor
❏ Improve skin and coat quality
puppy protein needs
diet should contain greater than 28% protein (dry matter basis)
addition to puppy food for immunity boost
Beta-glucans are found in hydrolyzed yeast - soluble dietary fibre
how are meals used to house train
Puppies normally eliminate 5–15 minutes after eating a meal.
how to change diet
over 7-10 days
what are small breed puppies prone to
dental disease
what are large breed puppies prone to
flatulence, diarrhea
adult lifestage dogs
18 mos - 6 yrs (lg breeds)
12 mos - 7 yrs (sm breeds)
major health concerns of adult dogs
dental disease, obesity, kidney disease
why is calcium polyphosphate added to dog food?
curbing the development of calculus.. Calcium (Ca2+) cations in the saliva are required for the mineralisation step by which plaque is converted into calculus and polyphosphates work to interfere with this step.
how much should dogs drink?
1 ounce of fluids per pound of body weight.
goals for feeding senior dogs
- Support immune system function
- reduce damage from free radicals
- Maintain a healthy body condition score
- Support aging joints
- Support brain and vision activity (cognitive function)
- Improve stool consistency, Decrease fecal odor
- Improve skin and coat quality
- Slow down the progression of dental disease
aging definition
a progressive reduction in the ability of an organism to meet the demand of the environment.
how old is senior in dogs
7 to 10 years (large breed dogs)
8 to 16 years (small to medium sized dogs)
5 to 8 years giant breeds
factors for aging
- Genetics and breed size: large breed dogs are senior at a younger age than smaller dogs.
- Gender: intact males are at greater risk of succumbing to diseases related to fighting and certain cancers such as prostate cancer.
- Disease: older animals have less reserve and an immune system that is not as functional as younger animals.
- Environment: there is a greater chance of an animal being hit by car or succumbing to infectious disease.
protein range for a kitten
35-50% on a dry matter basis with at least 9% dry matter from an animal source
fat range for kitten
18-35% on a dry matter basis
calcium range kitten
0.8-1.6% calcium on a dry matter basis
adult stage for cats
12 months to 7 years of age
health concerns adult cats
dental disease, obesity, kidney disease, and lower urinary tract disease.
why is excess Mg in cat food bad
component of struvite crystals in the urinary tract
why is excess phosphorus bad for cats
excess P is a key component of FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) and kidney disease.
optimal pH of cat urine (adult phase)
6.2 - 6.4
what are senior cats susceptable to?
weight loss, heart disease, kidney disease, metabolic diseases, and usually have a decreased activity level
protien needs for senior cats more or less than adult
more due to kidney disease
are cats more prove to struvite or Calcium oxalate stones in later life
calcium oxalate urolithiasis
how much water do cats need?
3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of
body weight every day
how to encourage a cat to drink
- Provide fresh water every day.
- Make sure the water bowl is filled to the brim at all times.
- Some cats do not like the taste of tap water. You might wish to:
- Refrigerate the tap water
- Try Brita water.
- Try distilled water.
- Try bottled water.
- Some cats will drink more water if a drop or two of tuna juice is provided.
- If the cat prefers to drink from a tap, make sure it can always get to the tap.
- Keep the food and water bowls away from the litter box area.
- Keep the water bowl clean.
overall goals for senior pets
- To extend or improve the quality of life by taking care and dealing with existing problems.
- To eliminate or decrease clinical signs of disease.
- To slow or prevent the development and progression of disease.
- To maintain optimum body weight.
role of Glucosamine and/or Chondroitin
May help rebuild damaged cartilage occurring with osteoarthritis
what vitamins should be increased with increased age?
Moderately increased intake of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, and E
what minerals should be reduced in old age?
- Mild phosphorus reduction is recommended to decrease renal excretory workload.
- Sodium consumption should be reduced.
why do pets have decreased appetite in later years? How to fix?
the sense of smell diminishes and disease causes inappetance, palatability becomes a significant feature of a mature diet. Warming the food, sprinkling it with garlic powder (no salt), and feeding canned food are techniques that may enhance palatability.
accessibility of food for sr pets
Make sure the pet can reach the food easily.
Make sure the older pet does not have to compete for food in a multi-pet household
appropriate treats for older pets
Treats should meet the needs of the older pet. They should be low in salt, moderate in fiber, and lower in calories. Table food should be avoided.
why feed wet to pets
Advantages:
- higher water content 60-65% (better for cats that don’t tend to drink water often or for dogs suffering from dehydration or GI upset).
- more palatable and can come in a lot of flavour choices
- good for picky or finicky eaters
Disadvantages:
- water content adds to the weight of the food, it does cost more than dry kibble.
- some canned food may contain more sugar and/or salt, which may not be appropriate
- will cause calculus or tartar buildup more rapidly
why feed dry
Advantages:
- easiest to feed and manage when it comes to portion sizes
- good for dogs or cats that like to graze their food (measured amount can be given and they can eat what they want, then come back for more when they get hungry again)
- it can come in many sizes and shapes (large breed dog bites or small breed bite size)
- dry kibble tends to work well in food toys or with interactive feeders (makes the animal work/exercise for their meal).
- great for breaking away calculus or tartar build up along the teeth
- lower in cost compared to canned diets
Disadvantages:
- some diet types may contain more preservatives and artificial flavors.
- unnecessary fillers may be incorporated into the feed as well
transition to new food- how to do
¾ of the old food with ¼ of the new (1-2 days)
½ of the old food with ½ of the new (3-4 days)
¾ of the new food with ¼ of the old (5-7 days)
FULL amount of recommended new diet (after day 7)
AAFCO statement for all life stages- what does this mean?
likely contains excessive levels of some nutrients necessary for the most demanding life stages, which is growth. For example, it might contain higher levels of protein and calcium for kittens, but those levels are inappropriate for an adult or senior cat.
how do labels show meat %age?
“chicken”: 95% w/w, 70% d/w
“chicken dinner/ entree”: 10%
“with chicken”: 3%
“chicken flavour”: only adds flavor
what’s ingredient for meat
cattle, sheep, swine and goat
what’s ingredient for poultry
chicken, duck, turkey
what’s ingredient for meal?
Rendered, denatured and defatted (no hair, horn, teeth, hooves, feathers or feces)
what’s a by- product
Internal organs, bone, brain (no hair, horn, teeth, hooves, feathers or feces)
what’s gluten
Protein portion of a given grain
Preservative:
- Natural and synthetic
- Required for dry , shelf stable semi moist and refrigerated (not for canned)
difference between nutrient and ingredient
Ingredients are the vehicles that provide nutrients, while nutrients are food components that support life and are metabolically useful
guaranteed analysis for cats
maximum percentage of ash (the mineral component) is often guaranteed, as are the percentages of taurine and magnesium.
guaranteed analysis for dogs
minimum percentage levels of calcium, phosphorus, sodium and linoleic acid are found in some products.
how is nutritional sufficiency done?
- The product, or the lead member of a family of products, is tested on live animals using AAFCO trial protocols and found to provide adequate nutrition
- Rather than testing the food on animals, its ingredients are formulated to meet the requirements of a specific nutrient profile established by the AAFCO
what is lot # used for on food?
- The facility it was manufactured in (location)
- What date and time it was produced/ completed
- And what products were in that (type, amount, supporting suppliers)
5 steps for pet food recommends at your clinic
- Get your whole clinic team involved
- Set expectations and build confidence /knowledge
- Have the conversation (clients want to hear about it!)
- Make a pet food recommendation! Include it in your treatment plan
- Chart it in the medical record and track progress
what role does VMR have in food recommend
- answer question about how long a bag will last
- Explain how and when to reorder
- Schedule recheck appointment
- Reinforce message about continuous / long term feeding
- Make follow up calls / reminders of food orders ( check inventory)
- Divert any pertinent questions to the RVT or DVM
what role does RVT have in food recommend
- Answer questions about recommended diets (how much to feed, how to read label, quality of food - better coat, palatable, less feces, less fillers, etc.)
- Discuss transitioning to a new food, including importance of
continuous and long term feeding guides - Phone calls from clients with pet food questions
- Inventory and ordering of pet diets
what role does DVM have in food recommend
- Meet with Reps to stay informed about new diets
- Examine and diagnose patients
- Develop diagnostic and treatment plans
- Discuss Nutrition needs with clients
- Select food to recommend
- Explain benefits of food, answer questions as well
how much food does a pet eat?
Pets eat about half of their body weight in dry food per month and about 6x their weight in a year.
why therapeutic diets better
- Increase of the pet’s quality of life (disease specific diets, behaviour (calm), allergies, large and small dog diets, senior needs, less stool produced, nicer hair coat, etc.)
- Increase the length of the pet’s life (as per reasons above)
- Decrease veterinary costs in the long run
- Decrease the pet’s signs of diseases, and possibly medical costs
value of a therapeutic diet (vet perspective)
- Nutrition based on evidence based science
Pet Food companies have full time, highly qualified nutritionists/ DVM’s on staff - Pet food formulations proven via feeding trials and not just analysis of the finished product
- Pet food companies own and run their own manufacturing facilities
- They practice STRICT quality control for ingredients and final products
3 types of pet food
1 Kibble/Dry.
- most economical type of commercial dog/cat food, – lasts for a long time and does not need to be refrigerated.
- can also help to keep the pet’s teeth healthy, since chewing crunchy dry food helps to reduce tartar buildup.
2 Canned
- Most dogs/cats love canned, or wet, food
- it has a long shelf life but it can be expensive.
- how much digestible protein it provides. Indigestible protein will pass through the pet’s system without being broken down into absorbable nutrients, so it’s pretty much useless to them.
- most canned food is about 75 percent water.
- great for cats who don’t get their daily % of water intake
3 Semi-Moist
- least nutritional of all pet foods and contain many artificial flavors and colorings.
- can be given to the pet as an occasional treat
how many pets overweight
53% of cats are overweight
43% of dogs are overweight
conditions from obesity
Infertility
Increased dystocia issues
Decreased heat tolerance
Constipation, ulcers, and flatulence
Weakened immune system
Increased anesthetic risk
BCS 1 points- emaciated
Ribs and lumbar vertebrae obvious
Pelvic bone obvious
Tail base prominent
Concave abdominal tuck
Severe hourglass shape
No body fat
Decrease muscle mass
BCS 2 points- thin
Ribs and lumbar vertebrae easily seen
pelvic bone obvious
tail base bony - some soft tissue
concave abdominal tuck
marked hourglass shape
BCS 3 points- optimal
Ribs and lumbar vertebrae easily palpated
Slight fat coverage
Tail base smooth
Concave abdominal tuck
Smooth hourglass shape
BCS 4 points- fat
Ribs and lumbar vertebrae difficult to palpate
pelvic bone - palpable
tail base - fat deposition
no abdominal tuck
no hourglass shape
BCS 5 points- obese
Ribs and lumbar vertebrae very difficult to palpate
pelvic bone difficult to palpate
tail base thick
convex abdominal
thick back
weight loss points
a dog can safely lose 1 to 3-percent of its body weight and cats 0.5 to 2-percent per month
many dogs can lose 3 to 5-percent and most cats should aim for about a half-pound per month
never put a pet on a “crash diet,” they can develop serious medical conditions, including a life-threatening form of liver failure that can occur in less than 72 hours
what is a muscle condition score
measure muscle definition (lowering of can be caused by muscle-wasting, OCD and osteo-issues)
how is diabetes controlled in animals
Diabetes is managed long term by the injection of insulin by the owner once or twice a day.
Feeding requirements: Insulin needs are closely related to the type of food eaten by the pet. The veterinarian will recommend a specific diet and feeding regimen that will enhance the effectiveness of insulin.
obesity prevention in cats
-fed by natural manner rather than unlimited calories
-multiple small meals to mimic natural prey instinct
-meals can be hidden around house or in an automated feeder (4-5 small meals programmed a day) – make eating fun , egg carton with food
obesity prevention in dogs
-make a specific scheduled feeding time. Feed at the same time everyday
-feed your dog twice a day (better digestion, less bloat, and less hunger-related anxiety around the house. Remember to not feed anything but required diet- no table scraps)
-give your dog a quiet area to eat.
- use Sophia Yin, Learn to Earn program - use a full meal or half meal to play games (act as reward) or exercise
when do puppies get weaned?
7-8 weeks
when do kittens get weaned?
4-6 weeks
