FM2 Pt3-6 When Nutrition Goes Wrong

Question 1

What condition can taurine deficiency cause in cats’ eyes?

Answer 1

Taurine deficiency can lead to central retinal degeneration, which can result in blindness in cats.

Question 2

How long does it take for retinal damage from taurine deficiency to develop in cats?

Answer 2

Retinal damage can take up to 6 months to develop, with complete blindness occurring after about two years of a deficient diet.

Question 3

What heart condition is associated with taurine deficiency in cats?

Answer 3

Taurine deficiency can cause dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle becomes thin and poorly contractile.

Question 4

How has the commercial pet food industry addressed taurine deficiency in cats?

Answer 4

Commercial wet foods now contain 2-3 times more taurine compared to dry foods to prevent deficiencies.

Question 5

What is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) in cats?

Answer 5

NSHP is a condition caused by calcium deficiency in the diet, leading to fragile bones due to poor bone mineralization.

Question 6

Which type of diet is most likely to cause NSHP in cats?

Answer 6

NSHP is commonly caused by home-prepared, meat-only diets that lack sufficient calcium and have an improper calcium
ratio.

Question 7

What is ‘yellow fat disease’ (pansteatitis) in cats, and what causes it?

Answer 7

Pansteatitis is caused by vitamin E deficiency, often linked to diets high in oily fish, leading to inflammation and damage to fat tissue in the body.

Question 8

How does vitamin E function in a cat’s diet?

Answer 8

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, preventing the oxidation of fatty acids and protecting against free radical damage.

Question 9

What are the symptoms of pansteatitis in cats?

Answer 9

Symptoms include fever, extreme pain, inflammation of subcutaneous and abdominal fat, and painful lumps under the skin.

Question 10

What is thiamine, and why is it important for cats?

Answer 10

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is essential for normal heart and brain function.

Question 11

How can a cat develop thiamine deficiency?

Answer 11

Thiamine deficiency can develop from feeding raw fish, which contains thiaminase, or from the cooking and processing of food that destroys thiamine.

Question 12

What are the symptoms of thiamine deficiency in cats?

Answer 12

Symptoms include salivation, dilated pupils, weakness, incoordination, inability to hold the head normally, and seizures.

Question 13

How can thiamine deficiency be treated in cats?

Answer 13

Supplementing the cat’s diet with thiamine rapidly reverses the symptoms.

Question 14

What causes vitamin A toxicity in cats?

Answer 14

Vitamin A toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) can result from long-term feeding of large amounts of liver, vitamin A supplements, or cod liver oil.

Question 15

What are the symptoms of vitamin A toxicity in cats?

Answer 15

Symptoms include stiffness of the neck and forelimbs, pain from new bone deposition around the spine and joints, poor hair coat, and in kittens, protrusion of the eyes (exophthalmus).

Question 16

Are the changes caused by vitamin A toxicity reversible?

Answer 16

Some changes are reversible with the correct diet, but marked bony changes are irreversible.

Question 17

Why is potassium important for cats?

Answer 17

Potassium is essential for normal muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to general muscle weakness.

Question 18

What condition can lead to potassium deficiency in cats?

Answer 18

Potassium deficiency can occur in cats with chronic renal disease due to potassium loss through the kidneys, which can be worsened by acidifying diets.

Question 19

What is the most common cause of lower urinary tract disease in cats?

Answer 19

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), where the bladder is inflamed but the cause is unknown, is a common cause of lower urinary tract disease in cats.

Question 20

How do bladder stones form in cats?

Answer 20

Bladder stones form when urine contains high concentrations of minerals that crystallize and aggregate into stones.

Question 21

Why are male cats at higher risk of urethral blockage?

Answer 21

Male cats have a longer and narrower urethra, which makes them more prone to blockage by crystals, stones, or mucus.

Question 22

How does diet influence the formation of bladder stones in cats?

Answer 22

Diets high in magnesium and minerals can promote the formation of struvite crystals and stones, especially in alkaline urine.

Question 23

How have cat foods been adjusted to prevent struvite crystals?

Answer 23

Cat foods are now formulated to acidify urine to reduce the risk of struvite crystal formation, though excessive acidification has risks.

Question 24

What are the risks of diets that produce overly acidic urine in cats?

Answer 24

Acidifying diets can deplete potassium, compromise bone mineralization, and increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.

Question 25

How important is water intake for cats with urinary tract problems?

Answer 25

Increasing water intake is crucial for preventing stone formation and managing feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) by diluting the urine.

Question 26

What is the most common nutrition-related disorder in cats?

Answer 26

Obesity and excess body weight are the most common nutrition-related disorders in cats.

Question 27

What percentage of pet cats are overweight or obese?

Answer 27

Surveys suggest that 20-30% of pet cats are overweight, with some studies reporting up to 50%.

Question 28

What is the biggest risk factor for obesity in cats?

Answer 28

Neutering is the single biggest risk factor for obesity in cats.

Question 29

What other factors increase the risk of obesity in cats?

Answer 29

Risk factors include being confined indoors, low activity levels, middle age, being male, and being fed dry food.

Question 30

Why do neutered cats tend to gain weight?

Answer 30

Neutering increases appetite and decreases energy expenditure, leading to weight gain if caloric intake is not reduced.

Question 31

How much should caloric intake be reduced in neutered cats to prevent obesity?

Answer 31

Neutered cats typically require a 30% reduction in caloric intake to maintain a healthy weight.

Question 32

Why is it important to monitor a cat’s weight after neutering?

Answer 32

Monitoring is crucial because even small annual weight gains can lead to obesity by the time the cat reaches 8 years old.