Companion Animal Flashcards
Here is the label nutrient analysis on an “as fed” basis of two diets: Diet A – canned food Protein = 7% Fat = 4% Moisture = 80%
Diet B – dry food
Protein = 22%
Fat = 15%
Moisture = 10%
What is the fat content of each diet on a dry matter basis (DMB)?
Diet A fat content = 20% DMB
Diet B fat content = 16.6% DMB
Here is the label nutrient analysis on an “as fed” basis of two diets: Diet A – canned food Protein = 7% Fat = 4% Moisture = 80%
Diet B – dry food
Protein = 22%
Fat = 15%
Moisture = 10%
What is the protein content on a dry matter basis?
Diet A protein content = 35% DMB
Diet B protein content = 24% DMB
What is the difference between resting energy requirement (RER) and daily energy requirement (DER)?
Resting energy requirement is the amount of energy required by a dog or cat at rest. This does not take into account activity level, life-stage, environmental conditions, etc.
Resting energy requirement can be calculated using either an exponential equation [(70 x kg BW0.75) = (kcal ME/d) or 293 x (kg BW0.75) = (kJ ME/d)] or a linear equation [70 + (30 x kg BW) = (kcal ME/d)].
Daily energy requirement is the resting energy requirement multiplied by a factor that varies depending on the animal’s life-stage, activity level and environmental factors
Why may it be beneficial to feed pregnant bitches with DHA-enriched foods?
Research supports the feeding of growth-type diets to bitches immediately after conception and to continue this diet through to weaning. This is due to foetal demand for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for retinal and brain development. Clinical studies have shown that pregnant dogs nourished with DHA- enriched foods give birth to offspring that demonstrate optimal mental and visual acuity
Despite being all classified as working dogs, why do the energy and protein requirements of racing greyhounds vary to those of huskies pulling sleds in cold weather?
There is considerable debate regarding the optimal amount of fat and protein needed to fuel the canine athlete. Dogs travelling short distances require fewer calories than similar dogs travelling greater distances. Sprinting greyhounds, for example, require only about 10% more calories on race day compared with non-racing active dogs. Huskies pulling sleds in cold weather over extended distances require up to 8× normal energy requirements.
Fat consumption can supply approximately 60–70% of the ME in low‐intensity exercise, and in times of extreme demand, fat may supply up to 85% of the ME, particularly in endurance sled dogs. The appropriate amount of fat in the Greyhound diet is highly debated; however, dogs fed high fat/low carbohydrate diets have increased stamina.
The recommendations is that performance dogs be fed over 24% ME as protein for all performance parameters to maintain red cell mass, maintain serum albumin status and promote less musculoskeletal injury.
Suggested target macronutrient profiles: (g/1000 kcal)
Short-distance adult athlete - greyhound
Protein=60
Fat=40
Carbohydrate=100
Long-distance (endurance) adult athlete – sled dog
Protein=90
Fat=60
Carbohydrate=25
What nutritional advice would you give to the owner of a recently mated Jack Russell terrier bitch? The dog has a normal body condition score and this is her first litter. The owner asks about feeding the bitch now and how he should look after the puppies till he sells them.
§ First assess that the bitch is being fed a complete and balanced diet.
§ Advise the owner that the bitch will have an increase in her caloric requirements during the pregnancy and an even greater requirement through the lactation.
§ Estimated increase in food intake is 25-30% but this varies for individuals. Show the owner how to assess the bitch’s body condition and explain that the increase in food intake should maintain her in the same body condition if possible.
§ The bitch’s daily food intake should be divided into 2-4 small meals daily and towards the end of the pregnancy and during lactation may even need to be offered ad libitum as the bitch may have trouble eating a large volume at any one time.
§ During the pregnancy, the bitch should be transitioned to a growth ration/complete and balanced diet that is formulated for growth. This transition should be made from midway through the gestation and should be fed till the pups are weaned.
§ Advise the owner against giving a Ca supplement during pregnancy.
§ The pups should get all their nutrition from the dam’s milk for the first few weeks. From 3-4 weeks onwards, solid food can be introduced. Initially this should be a growth food in mushy format (typically canned food mixed with water) and fed on a flat plate. By 6-8 weeks the pups will usually wean themselves and can be slowly transitioned to normal consistency food including dry food.
A three year old male kelpie cross has been losing weight for a few months. The dog is eating well, is passing normal stools and is still performing his farm duties with enthusiasm. The dog is 15 kg, has a body condition score of 2/5 (or 3/9) and is otherwise normal on physical examination. You estimate he should weigh about 20 kg.
What questions would you want to ask the owner about the dog’s nutrition and lifestyle?
Exactly what the dog is eating? Exactly how much is being fed? Are there other dogs that could be competing for the food? How active is the dog? What exactly does he do each day?
Calculate the dog’s daily energy requirement (DER) in kcal (assume the DER = RER x 3)
RER = 70 x (BW in kg)^0.75 kcal/d = 662 kcal/d DER = RER x 3 = 662 x 3 = 1986 kcal /d
The dog is eating a dry food containing 350 kcal/cup and he gets 1cup morning and night. How much should he get?
The dog is getting 700 kcal/d and should be getting 1,986 kcal/d.
What would you advise this owner to do?
Increase the dog’s food intake to 5.5 cups daily or switch to a food with a higher calorie content /cup and calculate the number of cups/day of that food.
Feed the extra food in 2-3 meals.
Reassess the dog’s weight and BCS every month to ensure that the dog gains weight and does not exceed the ideal BCS.
Outline the important considerations in performing a food elimination trial in a patient with a suspected adverse food reaction or food hypersensitivity as the cause of chronic diarrhoea.
§ Most immunological adverse food reactions or food hypersensitivity are to a dietary protein.
§ In a food trial the aim is to feed a protein source that is unlikely to induce an allergic reaction. The aim is to find a protein source that the patient has not been exposed to before - a “novel” protein. This is done by taking a thorough dietary history but can be difficult as many commercial pet foods contain multiple types of meats.
§ A single carbohydrate source is also chosen, as any carbohydrate source (e.g., rice/ potato, etc) will also contain some protein.
§ The novel protein diet can be either homemade or one of numerous commercial products made for this purpose. Commercial products are much more likely to provide complete and balanced nutrition.
§ The alternative to the novel protein is to choose a commercial food that contains a hydrolysed protein source – one where the protein has been hydrolysed (enzymatically broken down) so the protein units are too small to induce the immune reaction.
§ The test diet should be feed exclusively for a minimum of 4 weeks. Good communication with the owner is important. The owner needs to understand the aim of the trial and the importance of not adding any other food to the trial diet as even the smallest amount of the allergen could invalidate the trial.
§ If a patient’s signs respond to the trial then it is important to consider whether this response is because this is a true food allergy or whether it may just be a response to changing to a higher digestibly diet, a response to other components of the diet or that the patient had a self-limiting condition.
What are the major nutritional considerations (and associated dietary management) for the following conditions?
Dogs with subclinical diabetes mellitus
§ Consider use of diets that contain increased quantities of soluble and insoluble fibre
o May improve glycaemic control by reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia.
o May help with caloric restriction in obese dogs undergoing weight reduction.
o In underweight dogs, the priority is to normalise BW, increase muscle mass, and stabilise metabolism and insulin requirements.
§ Modify the diet based on other conditions (e.g. pancreatitis, kidney disease, GI disease) and needs of the dog
What are the major nutritional considerations (and associated dietary management) for the following conditions?
Cats and dogs with chronic kidney disease
§ Reduced levels of protein, P, and Na
§ Increased levels of K, B vitamins, soluble fibre, omega-3 PUFA and antioxidants
§ Higher caloric density
§ Neutral effect on acid-base balance
What are the major nutritional considerations (and associated dietary management) for the following conditions?
Obesity in cats and dogs
§ The overall objective is to reduce BW in a long lasting, healthy manner
§ Weight reduction should result in loss of body fat while maintaining lean body mass and supporting good health.
§ The weight loss program should be based on a gradual loss in weight (1-2% of the desired weight loss per week)
§ Pets on a weight reduction program should be fed multiple small means during the day rather than a single large meal.
§ Decreased fat/calories (decreases caloric intake)
§ Increased protein (increases satiety and maintains lean body mass)
§ Increased total dietary fibre (increases satiety and decreases begging)
§ Increased lysine : calorie ratio (maintains lean body mass)
§ Increased L-carnitine (increases fat conversion)
§ Added antioxidants (reduces free radical damage)
How and why can an inadequate or incorrect diet cause dental disease in rabbits?
Diet is frequently implicated in the development of acquired dental disease in pet rabbits. Pet rabbits often suffer from an osteodystrophic condition affecting the calcification of the teeth and skull, which predisposes pet rabbits to many clinical conditions, including distorted growth of the molar and premolar teeth resulting in soft tissue damage to the inside of the cheek and tongue.
Whilst inadequate or incorrect diet is widely expected to cause dental disease, several theories describing the possible aetiopathogeneses have been proposed including Ca: P imbalance. Pet rabbits are often fed a diet consisting largely of concentrate foods (pellets or mixed mueslis) with no or limited roughage intake. Often pet rabbits will select certain ingredients from this mix and reject the rest, with pellets being the ingredient most frequently rejected. Vitamins and minerals are generally added to the pellet, thus the rejection of pellets may predispose the rabbit to vitamin/mineral deficiencies. The diet of many pet rabbits is low in Ca and vitamin D because of their selective feeding habits, with this being a major contributing factor to dental disease. However, recent studies suggest that the type of diet fed more likely contributes to dental disease in rabbits. Muesli diets should not be recommended for pet rabbits. Any diets that can be considered ‘non-abrasive’, resulting in decreased chewing movements should be avoided, as decreased chewing movements may lead to tooth elongation.
What foods are not suitable as treats for pet rabbits?
Rabbits should not be fed high-sugar treat; chocolate is poisonous to rabbits. Other foods to be avoided include pasta, bread, biscuits, crackers and breakfast cereals.
From what source(s) do rabbits obtain their water soluble vitamins? Identify the vitamin as well as the source?
Vitamin B: Coprophagia supplies most requirements, including niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin B12. However, there are dietary requirements for choline (0.12% of diet) and pyridoxine (39 mg/g DM). If feeding pellets vitamin supplement would be included.
Vitamin C: There is no dietary requirement for this vitamin.
