comparative micronutrient metabolism - companion animals

Question 1

what are characteristics of fat soluble vitamins

Answer 1

• stored effectively
• potentially toxic when consumed in excess
• require normal fat absorption

Question 2

what are the characteristics of water soluble vitamins

Answer 2

• not stored effectively
• daily intake necessary to prevent deficiency
• excessibe intake relatively safe

Question 3

is vitamin C essential in dogs and cats

Answer 3

no

Question 4

what are the functions of macrominerals

Answer 4

• structure of bones and teeth
• membrane potential
• fluid balance
• acid-base balance
• second messengers
• storage and transport of energy
• co-factors

Question 5

what are the macrominerals

Answer 5

• calcium
• phosphorus
• potassium
• sodium
• chloride
• magnesium

Question 6

what are microminerals

Answer 6

• associated with a specific molecule such as an enzyme, hormone, carrier protein, or vitamin
• co-enzymes

Question 7

what are the microminerals

Answer 7

• iron
• copper
• manganese
• zinc
• selenium
• cobalt
• iodine

Question 8

what are the ultra trace elements

Answer 8

• molybdenum
• flurorine
• nickel
• silicon
• arsenic
• chromium

Question 9

what happens if ultra trace elements are consumed in excess

Answer 9

very toxic - these are needed in very small amounts

Question 10

what are the micronutrient deficiencies of clinical relevance

Answer 10

• vitamin K
• thiamin (B1)
• cobalamin (B12)
• calcium
• zinc
• iron

Question 11

where do dogs and cats obtain most, if not all of their requirement for VK

Answer 11

from bacterial synthesis in the intestines

Question 12

what can VK deficiencies be seen with

Answer 12

chronic GI diseases
* malabsorption
* hepatic dysfunction

Question 13

what also occurs with a VK deficiency

Answer 13

• clotting problems
• hepatic disease

Question 14

what is VB1 inactivated by

Answer 14

heat and thiaminases in foods

Question 15

what is wrong with homemade pet foods and VB1

Answer 15

• deficiencies in thiamine
• when people cook the food they don’t supplement in extra VB1

Question 16

what is a common clinical presentation with VB1 deficiency

Answer 16

• neck ventral flexure
• hyporexia

Question 17

where does B12 absorption only occur

Answer 17

ileum

Question 18

what does B12 absorption require

Answer 18

a protein called intrinsic factor

Question 19

where is intrinsic factor secreted in dogs and cats

Answer 19

pancreas

Question 20

what is the optimal ratio range for Ca:P in dogs

Answer 20

1.2:1 to 1.4:1

Question 21

what is the optimal ratio range for Ca:P in cats

Answer 21

0.9:1 to 1.1:1

Question 22

what happens with a zinc deficiency

Answer 22

• affects mucosa
• common in homemade diets
• crusty lesions around mouth and eyes

Question 23

what can iron deficiency be seen with

Answer 23

chronic blood loss

Question 24

how to treat iron deficiency

Answer 24

• treat underlying problem thats causing blood loss
• this normally fixes deficiency then feed complete and balanced diet
• DON’T supplement - can be toxic

Question 25

what are micronutrients that have toxic effects when consumed in excess

Answer 25

• VA
• VD
• VE
• calcium

Question 26

what can excessive VA intake cause

Answer 26

• accumulate to toxic levels in dogs and cats
• bone deposition - fatal

Question 27

what is VD needed for

Answer 27

calcium metabolism

Question 28

what vitamin can dogs and cats not synthesize even with sun light exposure

Answer 28

vitamin D

Question 29

what occurs if VD is consumed in excess

Answer 29

• hypercalcemia
• acute renal failure

Question 30

what is VE requirement linked to

Answer 30

PUFA intake

Question 31

what is VE

Answer 31

natural antioxidant

Question 32

what can excess VE cause

Answer 32

• toxicity
• affectd VK - coagulation problems

Question 33

what happens if there is an overconsumption of calcium in large/giant breed dogs

Answer 33

• developmental orthopedic diseases
• these dogs are very efficient at absorbing Ca
• toxicity affects Ca metabolism leading to cartilage and bone malformation

Question 34

what are peculiar feline micronutrient requirements

Answer 34

• VA
• pyridozine (B6)
• niacin

Question 35

why do cats need VA

Answer 35

• they cannot convert B-carotene to retinol
• don’t have enzyme to convert it
• VA only found in animal tissues

Question 36

why do cats have a high dietary requirement for B6 relative to other mammals

Answer 36

needed for transaminase in liver

Question 37

why do cats need Niacin

Answer 37

unlike most other mammals, cats cannot synthesize adequate amounts of Niacin from tryptophan to meet their requirements

Question 38

what can copper deficiency cause in cats

Answer 38

• red coat disease
• problem with cheap animal foods - microminerals not bioavailable

Question 39

what are 4 common micronutrients that are deficient in chronically ill patients

Answer 39

• VK
• thiamin
• cobalamin
• iron

Question 40

what are 3 micronutrients that are deficient in chronically ill patients - that are intracellular electrolytes

Answer 40

• potasium
• phosphorus
• magnesium

Question 41

what are the micronutrients lacking in home-prepared diets

Answer 41

• calcium
• thiamin
• iron
• copper
• zin
• cobalamin