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