Content

Question 1

What are the idiosyncratic requirements of cats?

Answer 1

• High protein diet
• Taurine (for nerve growth & reproductive development)
• Argentine (removal of ammonia created by amino acids to avoid toxicity)
• Vit A (cats can’t convert B-carotene into the active form of vitamin A)
• Niacin (can’t convert Tryptophan into Niacin)
• Low tolerance to carbs and starch (due to lack of amylase in the small intestine)

Question 2

What may cause nutrient deficiency?

Answer 2

Sometimes minerals can form substances that can’t be digested. Eg, when copper binds with Molybdenum and Sulphur, CuMoS4 is created which cannot be digested, thus leading to a deficiency of copper.

Question 3

Calcium

Answer 3

Associated with healthy bones and teeth. Also helps prevent blood clots and aids muscle contractions.

Deficiency = reduced bone strength, twitching.
Excess = kidney stones, excessive thirst/urination

Question 4

Phosphorous

Answer 4

Involved in growth, maintenance and repair of tissue and cells and the production of DNA and RNA.

Deficiency = decreased heart and brain function.
Excess = pulls calcium from the bone, creating deposits in the heart and lungs.

Question 5

Magnesium

Answer 5

Muscle and nerve function and energy production.

Deficiency = involuntary muscle contractions and heart arrhythmia.
Excess = limits calcium ions causing abnormal heart rhythm and respiratory paralysis.

Question 6

Copper

Answer 6

Healthy metabolism, strong bones and maintains nervous system functions.

Deficiency = poor growth, reproductive failure, anaemia, neuromuscular problems.
Excess = liver failure, blood in urine.

Question 7

Selenium

Answer 7

Makes DNA and protects against cell damage.

Deficiency = weakness, trouble eating and breathing.
Excess = muscular degeneration, loss of fur.

Question 8

Fat soluble vitamins

Answer 8

A, D, E and K. They are easily stored in the body so can build up in the liver and cause toxicity.

Question 9

Water soluble vitamins

Answer 9

Vit C. Water soluble so are easily absorbed in the small intestine and don’t cause toxicity.

Question 10

Vitamin A

Answer 10

Beta-carotene is absorbed in the small intestine and converted into active vitamin A.

Helps with eyesight and skin quality. Excess can lead to birth defects, liver damage and bone thinning.

Question 11

Vitamin B

Answer 11

Metabolises fats, carbs and proteins. Deficiency leads to malfunction of the nervous system and excess leads to peripheral neuropathy (loss of feeling).

Question 12

Vitamin D

Answer 12

Deficiency causes rickets and bone disease. Excess calcium can weaken bones and damage the heart and kidneys via deposits.

Question 13

Vitamin E

Answer 13

Antioxidant. Protects cells from free radicals by donating electrons to molecules that are unpaired). Protects cell membranes from lipid oxidation. Excess causes muscle weakness and bleeding. Deficiency causes impaired reflexes.

Question 14

Protein requirements of cats and dogs

Answer 14

Kittens 60% protein requirement for maintenance. Puppies 30%.

Adult cats 26%. Adult dogs 12%.

Question 15

Energy requirements of dogs

Answer 15

Active/young = 140kcal x kg BW ^0.75
Old/inactive = 100kcal x kg BW^0.75

Question 16

Omega 3 fatty acids

Answer 16

Improve the function of cell receptors in cell membranes. Produce hormones that regulate blood clotting and the contraction/relaxation of the artery walls.

+ improve cognitive and heat function

• when given in large doses can cause intestinal upset and issues with clotting and immunity.

Question 17

Probiotics

Answer 17

Restore the balance of bacteria in the gut. Enable absorption of nutrients to improve digestion.

+ can improve allergies in dogs and support the immune system.

• symptoms worsen during adjustment period, can transfer an antibiotic resistance gene to the digestive tract.

Question 18

Glucosamine

Answer 18

Stimulates cartilage growth and thickens synovial fluid which improves joint function and slows development of arthritis.

Good for large breed dogs that are predisposed to joint problems.

Overdoses can cause toxicity.

Question 19

Plant extracts

Answer 19

Anitoxidant, anti inflammatory, antiseptic, anti microbial.

Can cause allergic reactions and toxicity.

Question 20

Carnivores

Answer 20

Unable to break down cellulose in plant matter.

Incisors, canines and molars to crush meat.

Digestive enzymes break down food in stomach, molecules are absorbed in the small intestine and then water from the remaining waist product is absorbed in the large intestine.

Question 21

Gestation

Answer 21

Period of development between conception and birth. 63-65 days for cats. 58-65 days in dogs.

Require increased protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids and vitamins. Highly digestible feed.

Question 22

Lactation

Answer 22

Making milk. Lasts around 7-8 weeks. Energy demanding. Large increase in energy and water demand.

Question 23

Feeding through life

Answer 23

• solids at 3-4 weeks
• remove after 30 mins
• dry feed at 6 weeks
• large breeds have feed restricted
• nutrients essential to help weak immune system of kittens and puppies

Question 24

What influences energy intake

Answer 24

• Temperature of animal
• Feed water content / dry matter
• Palatability
• Productivity of animal
• Age/body weight/sex

Question 25

What influences hunger ?

Answer 25

• chemostatic control
• distension
• thermostatic control
• lipostatic control

Question 26

Shearing Sheep…

Answer 26

… increases feed intake by 12-15%. The colder the animal is the more they will eat to produce heat.

Question 27

Fish Oil

Answer 27

Protects the heart from arrhythmia and prevents blood clots. Lowers blood pressure, reduces protein loss in urine to stop progression of kidney diseases.

The anti inflammatory effect of EPA and DHA in fish oil alters platelet function which can cause problems with blood clotting. To much EPA and DHA prevents the migration of white blood cells which imparts healing of wounds.

Question 28

Essential fatty acids

Answer 28

Fats are broken down into fatty acids during digestion and are then absorbed into the blood. The fatty acid molecules are then joined together to form triglycerides which can carry out functions in the body.

• arachidonic acid promotes growth of skeletal muscle tissue and aids reproductive health and blood clotting.
• eicosapentanoic acid prevents blood from clotting, reduces pain and swelling.
• docosahexaneoic acid is essential for growth and functional development/maintenance of the brain.