Minerals

Question 1

What is a mineral?

Answer 1

Inorganic substance, non energy-producing

Question 2

Macrominerals

Answer 2

Calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium

Question 3

Microminerals

Answer 3

Copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc

Question 4

Trace elements

Answer 4

Chromium, cobalt, fluorine, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, sulphur, vanadium

Question 5

Calcium - Most abundant mineral in body

Answer 5

Function: Structural support of skeleton, intracellular messenger in muscle and other cells
Deficiency: Osteoporosis due to PTH pulling Ca from bones, Eclampsia (seen during post parturition) - tetany & seizures
Too much? Seen in commercial diets - osteochondrosis dessicans, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, wobbler’s syndrome

Question 6

Talk about the ratio between Ca and P, how must it be corrected?

Answer 6

Meat and organ meats have an inverted ration of Ca to P - diets should be 1.2:1 to 2:1, so must be corrected

Question 7

Common Ca Supplements

Answer 7

Calcium carbonate (limestone), Calcium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Phosphate, Bone Meal, Algae sources

Question 8

Phosphorus - 2nd most abundant mineral in body

Answer 8

Skeleton structure, RNA & DNA synthesis, ATP synthesis, membrane phospholipids
High levels ass. with renal disease (seen most in cats)

Question 9

Phosphorus Supplements

Answer 9

Calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, phosphoric acid

Question 10

Magnesium - 3rd most abundant

Answer 10

Function: Metabolism of CHO and Lipids, catalyst for enzymes, required for protein synthesis
Deficiency: Weakness, ataxia, seizures
—-seen in gerbils
Excess - in cats can encourage struvite crystal formation

Question 11

Common Mg supplements

Answer 11

Magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate

Question 12

Sodium and Chloride

Answer 12

Major electrolytes, maintain osmotic pressure, regulate acid/base, transmit nerve and muscle impulses

Question 13

Sodium and Chloride supplements

Answer 13

NaCl, NaPO3, CaCl, Choline Cl, KCl, Na Acetate

Question 14

Iron

Answer 14

Part of hemoglobin (so 02 transport)

Supplements: FeSO4, FeCl, FeCO3, FeO

Question 15

Zinc

Answer 15

Function: Metabolism, immune function & skin health
Deficiency: seen in high cereal diets, loss of pigment of the hair and face
Supplements: ZnO, ZnCl, ZnCO3

Question 16

Copper

Answer 16

Function: Fe absorption and transport, synthesis of some amino acids
Stored in the liver
Deficiency: Microcytic anemia, loss of hair coat color

Question 17

Selenium

Answer 17

Functions: With Vitamin E to protect from oxidation damage
Deficiency: Seen in grazing animals when there is not enough Se in soil

Question 18

Iodine

Answer 18

Function: Part of Thyroxine
Deficiency: Goiter in humans
Supplements: CaI, KI, CuI