B21. Influence of Nutrition on Skeletal Status (Dog, Cat)

Question 1

Overnutrition

–> Protein excess as a cause of skeletal disease

Answer 1

• If Too much protein is given it will lead to osteochondrosis
• Osteochondrosis: high growth rate for muscles. This exceeds that of bones and cartilages leading to X-legs (bear soles)

Question 2

Calcium deficiency as a cause of skeletal disease

- Secondary alimentary hyperparathyroidism

Answer 2

–> all-meat diet or a diet too high in cereal
–>The Ca:P ratio in meat is 1:20
PTH–> will increase to “help”, causing calcium mobilisation from bone- osteoporosis)

Question 3

Calcium deficiency as a cause of skeletal disease

- Secondary renal hyperparathyroidism

Answer 3

Caused by chronic renal disease
o Loss of calcium to urine results in hypocalcaemia
o PTH produced –>. bone resorption (osteoporosis)

Question 4

Clinical signs; Calcium deficiency

Answer 4

o Lameness and reluctance to walk
o Widespread bone pain
o Radiograph shows decreased bone density
o Rubber jaw (osteodystrophy)

Question 5

Calcium deficiency - treatment

Answer 5

o Analgesics are used in order to numb the pain
Limestone, calcium lactate and calcium hypophosphoricum can be given, though the latter contains phosphorus –> making it a sub-par choice

Question 6

Vitamin D deficiency as a cause of skeletal disease

Answer 6

• Very similar to Ca deficiency –> results in rickets, osteomalacia (NOT osteoporosis)

The main reason for this is the decrease in calcium absorption by vitamin D3

Causes
o Nutrition
o Lack of sunlight
o Result of chronic kidney failure

Trat; vitmain D supply

Question 7

Hypervitaminosis A as a cause of skeletal diseases in cats

Answer 7

Feeding too much liver over a long period of time, causing excessive bone growth on the vertebrae, effecting the nerves

Question 8

Hypercalcaemia as a cause of skeletal disease

Answer 8

The normal calcium content in feed is around 1.2% DM. if it is lower, the body may upregulate in order to increase absorption (–> bone mobilisation)

Question 9

Joint diseases

Answer 9

• Overfeeding and obesity contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA)

Chondroitin and glucosamine –> enhance cartilage health by providing precursors for repair
–> Omega 3 FA (e.g. eicosapentaenoid acis (EPA))  precursors for eicosanoid production (prostaglandins (PGE3), leukotrienes) that are less inflammatory. Omega 6:Omega 3 = 5: