Life stage nutrition Flashcards
Biological value of protein
- The proportion of absorbable protein that can be metabolised by the body
- The higher the BV = the less urea = the less strain on the kidneys and liver
Vitamin overdose
- Hypervitaminosis is far more prevalent in fat soluble vitamins
- ADEK (can be stored)
- Hypervitaminosis A is potential complication of feeding cats high levels of raw liver
- The condition causes the classification of the liver, spleen and joints
Vitamin K
- Aids calcium metabolism
- Is also essential cofactor in the functioning of coagulation factors 2 (prothrombin), 7, 9 and 10 involved in blood clotting
- Many rodenticides interfere with Vitamin K metabolism and lead to spontaneous haemorrhage
Clinical signs:
- Inter-cavitatory bleeding
- Subcutaneous bruising
- Epistaxis
Characteristics of satisfactory pet food
- Complete - provides adequate amounts of all required nutrients
- Balanced - the nutrients are present in the correct proportions
- Digestible - Your pet is able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients
- Palatable - appealing enough to be eaten
- Safe - free of toxins or anything that could harm a pet
- Fixed feed formula - guaranteed levels of stated ingredients in every batch
High biological value proteins
- Eggs, fish and milk have the highest biological value of any proteins
- The higher the BV = more that can be used by the body and the less strain on the liver
Resting energy requirements (RER)
- Relates to a calculation to determine an animals resting energy requirements
- Bodyweight (kg) x (30+70)
Metabolisable energy requirements (MER)
- Accounts for the animal’s activity levels
- To work out the MER, calculate the RER and then times that number by a factor
Life nutrition stage - pregnant dogs
Gestation:
- 3 x RER last trimester
- Ca 1.6 : P 1
Lactation:
- Up to 8 x RER (litter size dependent)
Growth diet required:
- High levels Ca and P
- Highly digestible
- Small meals often towards end of pregnancy
- High levels protein indicated
-High water requirement
Life stage nutrition - pregnant cats
Gestation:
- 1.5 - 2 x RER
- Steadily increase from start of gestation
Lactation:
- Up to 8 x RER (litter size dependent)
Growth diet required:
- High levels Ca and P
- Highly digestible
- Ad lib food
- High levels protein indicated
- High water requirement
Life stage nutrition - Neonates
- 13-18kcal / 100g BW
- Ca:P (1.6:1)
Life stage nutrition - Growth
- 2.5-3 x RER till 4 months
- Then 2 x RER till final adult weight
- Ca:P (1.8:1) late growth
- High levels of macronutrients
- Diet should have supplementary calcium, phosphorus and DHA
- Doscosahexaenoic fatty acid required for normal retinal and brain development
- Calcium and phosphate partially restricted in large breed puppy diets
Life stage nutrition - Senior cats and dogs
- Reduced MER maintenance energy requirement (except cats)
- Prone to sarcopenia (muscle loss from aging)
- Often with concurrent organ degeneration
- High levels of a high biological value protein
- Highly digestible
- Diets with supplementation of DHA and vitamin E recommended
-Cats have reduced ability to digest fats as they age
Small animal hindgut fermenters
- Have large large intestines containing commensal microbes which enable the breakdown of cellulose by the release of cellulose
- Coprophagia ensures maximal nutrient digestion and absorption
- Teeth continually grow - fibre is essential to wear as well as promote peristalsis and maintain caecum pH
- Hindgut fermenters should be eating for much of the day
- If they do stop eating this can lead to gut-stasis
Gut-stasis
Gastrointestinal ileus:
1. Anorexia
2. Reduction/cessation peristalsis
3. Caecal pH changes
4. Microbe levels change
5. Microbe release toxins into circulation
- This will lead to death if not treated
Symptoms:
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced faeces
- Lethargy
