Nutrition life stages Flashcards
Biological value of protein
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
Feline dilated cardiomyopathy
caused by a deficiency in taurine
Vitamin overdose
hypervitaminosis is far more prevalent in fat soluble vitamins
ADEK (can be stored)
what is hypervitaminosis A ?
it is a potential complication of feeding cats high levels of raw liver
which vitamin is fundamental to coagulation
vitamin K
what is the medical term for a blood clot/coagulation
Thrombosis
what does vitamin K do?
aids in calcium metabolism. is also an essential co factor in functioning of coagulation factors 2,7,9,10
common clinical signs of a haemorrhage/ rodenticides
inter cavitatory bleeding
subcutaneous bruising (haematoma)
epistaxis (nose bleed)
treatment of rodenticide
Vitamin K
characteristics of a satisfactory pet food according to these guidelines
complete - adequate amount of nutrients
balanced - nutrients are correct proportions
digestible - able to digest and absorb nutrients
palatable - appealing enough to be eaten
safe - free of toxins or anything which could harm
fixed feed formula - guaranteed levels of stated ingredients in every batch
high biological value proteins
the higher the BV - the more that can be used by the body and the less strain there is on the liver and kidneys
what is feline nutritional idiosyncrasies and what nutrients classify them as obligate carnivores
taurine
arachidonic acid o6
cats are better at converting amino acids into glucose
why are cats prone to urine stones
they have a lower thirst stimulus - more concentrated urine
Resting Energy Requirements (RER)
this relates to a calculation to determine an animals resting energy requirements
bodyweight (KG) x 30 + 70
metabolisable energy requirement (MER)
calculation accounts for an animals activity level
calculate their resting energy requirements and then x by a factor
Gestation/lactation in dogs
3x RER last trimester
Ca 1.6: P 1
Lactation - u to 8 x RER (litter size dependant)
growth diet requirements in gestation/lactation dogs
high levels in calcium and phosphorous
highly digestible
small meals often towards end of pregnancy
high levels protein indicated
high water requirement
Gestation and lactation in cats
gestation - 1.5-2 x RER
lactation - up to 8 x RER
Growth diet required in gestation for cats
high levels of calcium and phosphorous
highly digestible
ad lib food
high levels of protein
high water requirement
neonates and growth
Neonates - 13-18kcal / 100g BW
Ca:P (1.6:)
growth - 2.5 - 3 x RER till 4 months
then 2 x RER till final adult weight
Ca:P (1.8:1) late growth
what do neonates and growing cats needs
high levels of all macro nutrients
supplementary calcium, phosphorous and DHA
Calcium and phosphate partially restricted in large breed puppy diets to slow down speed of bones growing
senior cats/dogs
Reduced MER maintenance energy requirement (except cats)
prone to sarcopenia (muscle loss from aging)
what senior cats/dogs need
high levels of a high biological value protein
(if confirmed renal disease -reduced protein)
highly digestible
diets with supplementation of DHA and vitamin E
cats have reduced ability to digest fats as they age
small animal hindgut fermenters
these fibrevores have large caecum’s (large intestine) containing commensal microbes which enable the breakdown of cellulose by the release of cellulase
what is coprophagia
ensures maximal nutrient digestion and absorption
why is fibre important?
it is because teeth are continually growing and it promotes peristalisis and maintains caecum pH
Dietary requirements for hindgut fermenters
80% good quality hay/grass
15% fresh veg
1/2 tablespoons pellets
Gut stasis / gastrointestinal ileus
- Anorexia
- Reduction / cessation peristalsis
- Caecal pH change
- Microbe levels change
- Microbes release toxins into circulation
common symptoms include
- reduced or absent appetite
-reduced or absent faeces
-lethargy
rabbits are unable to downregulate the effects of PTH on the intestinal wall what would this lead too?
how is excess calcium excreted in bunnies?
