Nutrition

Question 1

Describe the purpose of a nutritional assessment?

Answer 1

The nutritional assessment is fifth vital sign.
The nutritional assessment is a “checklist” / simple technique to identify problems.

Leads to interpretation, action and improvement in patient care

• optimal diet choices
• treatment of obesity
• manage medical condition
• improve performance

Question 2

How should we assess the animal, diet and feeding management ?

Answer 2

Screening evaluation is a two part process
(performing a nutritional assessment 5th vital sign)

A extended nutritional assessment is only carried out if risk factors are identified.
- assess the animal, age, physiological state, intolerance,
- assess the feeding management, frequency, timming, excessive treats etc, competition
- assess the diet (safety, nutrient imbalances, spoilage)

Question 3

How should we assess body condition in a dog and cat ?

Answer 3

Body condition score 9 point scale.

Goal = For most animals 4-5 out of 9
- may appear to thin for some owners, may require education
- health risks increase with BCS above 6
- on a five point scale a three is optimal for the pet

Question 4

How should we perform a muscle condition score on a cat or a dog ?

Answer 4

Muscle condition score (MCS)
To carry out a MCS palpate over the temporal bones, scapulae, ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones.

• affected by disease and aging
• protein malnutrition
• hypoalbuminia
• changes in the amino acid profile

Remember the MCS and BCS are not related.
An animal can be severely overweight with muscle loss.

Question 5

Under what circumstances should we carry out an extended evaluation of an animal?

Answer 5

After you have completed a diet history rule out your risk factors.
If the below risk factors are present carry out an extended nutritional assessment -

• altered GI function (vomiting, nausea, constipation)
  -previous or ongoing medical conditions/disease
• medications and/or dietary supplements
• Unconventional diet (raw, homemade, vegetarian, unfamiliar)
• Snacks, treats, table food > 10% of total caories
• Inadequate or inappropriate housing

Question 6

13 differentiatiating factors from cats

Discuss the gastrointestinal physiology of dogs ?

Answer 6

Dogs = omnivores

Gastrointestinal physiology
- jaw has grinding action (up/down + side to side movement)
- Molars present with large grinding surfaces
- Taste = salt, sour, bitter, umami, water and sweet
- well developed olfactory sense
- short intestinal tract with short transit time
- copes with one large meal daily or less
- no salivary amylase
- highly acidic stomache
- digestion efficient for both animal and plant protein
- constant state of gluconeogenesis on wild type diet
- insulin released in response to glucogenic acids and glucose
- limited fermentation in large intestine

Question 7

Discuss the unique gastrointestinal phyiology of cats ?

Answer 7