Reproduction and growth Flashcards
Gestation- dogs weight gain
Average 63 days
Healthy weight gain is 15-25% more than prebreeding weight
Weight gain predominantly in last third of gestation
After whelping, should weigh about 5-10% more than pre breeding weight
Energy needs for gestating dogs
Two phases of nutritional needs
0-42 days- feed to maintenance
42 days to parturition- increase energy fed by +10%/week
At parturition, 30% above maintenance for small litters, 50-60% above maintenance for larger litters
Gestation-cats
Average 63-65 days
Weight increases steady from conception to parturition
Weight stored as energy (fat) to support lactation
Mean weight gain in queens
is 40% of pre-breeding weight
Lose 40% of thai at parturition
Remaining 60% sustains milk production
Energy needs of queens
Single phase requiring increase in energy intake
Increase energy fed by 10%/week starting from conception
At parturition, 140-150% above maintenance energy needs
Energy density of food often limiting factor
Lactation-dogs
Energy requirement steadily increases post whelping
Peaks between 3-5 weeks; 2-4x higher than maintenance
Returns to maintenance about 8 weeks post whelping
Energy needs for lactating dogs
Energy requirements divided into maintenance energy and energy for milk production
Based on body weight, week of lactation, and number of puppies in litter
one way to calculate DER for lactating dogs
DER for lactating bitches is higher than other adults (even without taking into consideration milk production) due to the stress and increased activity of caring for puppies
DER = 145 x BWkg^0.75
DER = 145 x 20kg^0.75
DER = 1378 kcal
How to calulate ME for lactating dogs
L= week of lactation
n and m based on number of puppies
EL=BWkgx (24n + 12m) x L
E3= 20kg x (24(4) + 12(1)) x 1.1
E3= 20kg x (96 +12) x 1.1
E3= 20kg x 108 x 1.1
E3= 2376 kcal
ME = DER + EL
ME = 1378 + 2376
ME = 3754 kcal
L for week 1 of lactation
0.75
L for week 2 of lactation
0.95
L for week 3 of lactating dogs
1.1
L for week 4 of lactation
1.2
Second method of calculating ME for lactting dogs
Considers litter size but does not take into consideration which week of lactation
DER = 2.1 x 70(BWkg^0.75)
DER = 2.1 x 70(20kg^0.75)
DER = 1390 kcal
EL= + 25% DER/puppy
EL= 1390(0.25) x 5 puppies
EL= 348 kcal x 6
EL= 1740 kcal
ME = 1390 + 1740
ME = 3130 kcal
Third method of calculating ME for lactating dogs
Takes into consideration changes in energy needs throughout different weeks of gestation but not litter size
RER = 70 x BWkg^0.75
RER = 70 x 20^0.75
RER = 662 kcal
MER = 1.8 x 662
MER = 1192 kcal
Lactation week 1: 150-200% MER
Lactation week 2-5: 200-300% MER
Lactation 6 to weaning: gradual decrease to 150% MER
ME3= MER x 220%
ME3= 1192 x 2.2
ME3= 2622 kcal
What is the best way to feed lactating dogs
Due to the high energy requirements, free-choice feeding often recommended during lactation
Energy density of food often a limited factor
Lactation-cats
Most energy-demanding stage of a cat’s life
Peak milk production occurs at 3-4 weeks of lactation
Energy intake continues to increase; however does take into consideration the energy requirement of both queen and kittens
Weight and energy intake of queen returns to normal by weaning
Energy needs for lactating cats
Feed energy dense food to meet needs without overwhelming stomach capacity
Free choice feeding to allow for variation in energy needs
Protein for gestation and lactation
Protein requirements increase during gestation and lactation
Consider digestibility and amino-acid profiles as well as amount
Inadequate protein during lactation and gestation can result in
Lower birth weights
Higher neonatal mortality
Impaired immune systems
Poor lactation
Poor growth
Fats and fatty acids for gestation and lactation
Increased fat intake during gestation (last trimester in dogs) could result in increased fat content in milk by up to 30%
Allows for high caloric density required for queens and bitches (more than twice the calories of protein and carbohydrates)
Arachidonic acid essential for cats
Arachidonic acid essential for cats becasue
Fetal brain development
Gestation & reproductive success
Viability of kittens
DHA is and important during gestation and lactation because
Docosahexaenoic acid (omega 3 fatty acid)
Supports retinal and auditory development
Important in brain development
Milk concentrations parallel food intake
Now recognized by AAFCO as an essential nutrient for growth
Carbohydrates in gestation and lactation
No true carbohydrate requirement during gestation and lactation
However digestible carbohydrates:
Protect against weight loss during pregnancy
Increases birth weight and neonatal survival
Improves lactation performance
What can a carb free diet cause during gestation and lactation
Feeding a carbohydrate-free diet to bitches increase risk of periparturient hypoglycemia (other risk factors include poor body condition score and malnutrition)
Protein must be increased by at least 50% (and doubled when energy requirements are highest) to combat this risk if no carbohydrates are being given
Calcium and phosphorus during lactation and gestation
Ca/P needs similar to those for maintenance for early gestation in dogs
During the later parts of gestation (dogs) and during gestation (cats) and during lactation (both), requirements increase
Rapid fetal skeletal growth
Milk production
Calcium-phosphorus ratio important
Commercial supplementation not recommended when appropriately balanced foods being fed
Eclampsia is
Sudden decrease in extracellular calcium concentration
Highest risk during weeks 2-3
Calcium losses via secretion in milk are highest
Typically affected bitches with eclampsia
Primipara
<4 years
Toy breed dogs
High litter size
What can predispose animals to eclampsia and why
Calcium supplementation during pregnancy can predispose
Down-regulates parathyroid gland secretion
Impairs normal calcium mobilization from bone
Calcium homeostasis unable to maintain levels when demand increases
Folic acid during gestation and estrus
Should be supplemented during estrus and gestation
How high is neonatal mortality
Neonatal mortality as high as 10-30%
⅔ f these deaths occur during the first week of life
Neonatal nutrition comes from the dam
Three critical factors for success of neonates
Maternal nutrition during gestation/lactation critical
Behaviour and physical health of the dam
Neonatal husbandry
Neonatal period is
From whelping to when eyes start to open (~13 days)
Two basic activities – sleeping and nursing
Spend >80% time sleeping – never deeply, never quietly
Transitional period for neonates is
From when the eyes open to 3 weeks of age
Responsive to environment
Playing and tail wagging behaviours develop
Lose need for perineal stimulation
Socialisation period of neonates
From 3 weeks to weaning
Social bonds are formed, social hierarchies develop
Exposure to different stimulation and experience critical for behavioural development
Colostrum is and is heavy in
First milk (during the first 24-72 hours post whelping)
Nutrients
Water
Growth factor
Digestive enzymes
Maternal immunoglobulins
Contains twice as much protein as milk
Entire difference is made up of immunoglobulins
Transplacental transfer of immunity of cats and dogs
Very low
Difference in the placenta compared to other species
only 5-10% IgG from trasnplacental transfer
How do puppies get immunoglobin
Immunoglobulins can only cross the intestinal barrier immediately following birth
Intestinal tract begins to mature after birth
Barrier is closed at 12-16 hrs
Critical that colostrum is ingested by puppies and kitten immediately following birth
How common is it for puppies to not get adequate colostrum and what does this cause
Up to 18% of puppies are at risk of not receiving adequate colostrum
Contributes to the risk of neonatal death
Milk for neonates
Complete food for neonates
As milk matures (from colostrum)
Dry matter (DM) content decreases
Directly related to decrease in protein (immunoglobulin)
Vitamins and minerals decrease as milk matures
Lactose content increases
Protein of milk
Protein digestibility in milk is very high (up to 99%)
Provides high levels of necessary amino acids
Dietary taurine intake influences milk concentration
Cows milk is a poor source of taurine
What are the essential aa in milk
Arginine
Lysine
Taurine (cats)
Fat and fatty acids in milk
Milk is an important source of energy and essential fatty acids
Puppies and kittens born with relatively low stores of body fat
What percent of fat is puppies body and adults body
1.5% of total body mass is fat in puppies
22% of total body mass is fat in adult dogs with ideal BCS
Fat quality and quantity reflect what
Fat content and quality reflect diet of the dam
Supply essential fatty acids linolenic acid and arachidonic acid (cats)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Carbs in milk
Lactose is primary carb in milk
Significantly lower than cows milk
High concentrations of lactose = increased osmolality
Infant formulas high in starch
Pancreatic amylase activity is insignificant or low for first several weeks
Puppies and kittens will not be able to digest starch
What happens with high lactose
Draws water into the intestine
Result of feeding cow’s milk to puppies and kittens?
Temperature of neonates
Born poikilothermic, very little fat
Normal body temperature for first week of life: 35-36⁰C
Dams may also neglect hypothermic neonates
Keep environmental temperature 30⁰C
Hypothermia of neonates
Below 34⁰C–digestive transit stops
Below 32⁰C–suckling reflex is lost
Normal body temp second week of life and ideal room temp
36-38⁰C
Keep environmental temperature 28⁰C
Normal body temp third week of life and ideal room temp
38-39⁰C
Keep environmental temperature 25⁰C
after third week of life ideal room temp
After the third week ambient room temperature (21-22⁰C) sufficient
Humidity for neonates and their risks
Target environmental humidity of 45-65%
Dry (<45%) environments
Risk of dehydration
Humid (>65%) environments
Risk of bacterial proliferation
The 3 Hs for neonates
Hypoglycemia
Hypothermia
Dehydration
All are interrelated
Risks for neonates
Illnesses
-Infections
-Parasites
-Diarrhea
Hypoxia
-Dystocia
-Prolonged births
Inadequate milk intake
-Orphans
-Maternal rejection
-Refusal or inability to nurse
-Inadequate milk production
Low birth weight
How to treat neonates that are sick
GLucose
Warm
Oral hydration and nutrition
Glucose for sick neonates
Via SQ injection
Necessary as first step to meet sudden increase in energy requirements during warming
Warming for sick neonates
Depressed gastrointestinal motility until warmed
Slowly and progressively over 1-3 hours
Prevent oxygen and energy requirements of tissues from increasing beyond what neonate can provide
Oral hydration and nutrition for sick nenoates
Once body temperature restored, oral solutions via stomach tube
Nursing should be encouraged early
Weight for neonates
Low birth weight correlated to neonatal mortality
Record birth weights and weigh daily
Should gain weight daily–plateau or weight loss can be early sign of a problem
When does weaning begin
Gradual process
Begins at 3-4 weeks
Puppies and Kittens start to eat solid foods
Often the dam’s food
95% of caloric intake is still from milk
Weaning at 5-6 weeks
Nearly 30% of caloric intake is from food
Dam may start avoiding puppies or kittens
Suckling encourages milk production, so allowing time away from the dam could be beneficial
When does weaning end
6-9 weeks
How much to feed weaning neonates at week 1
2 parts water (or milk replacer) to 1 part kibble
How much to feed weaning neonates at week 2
1 part water (or milk replacer) to 1 part kibble
How much to feed weaning neonates at week 3
0.5 parts water (or milk replacer) to 1 part kibble
How much to feed weaning neonates at week 4+
Kibble only
Feeding in smaller and more frequent meals (4 per day) can improve stool quality in puppies
Immunity gap in neonates
Colostrum provides immunoglobins
Puppy or kitten will start producing own immunoglobins
Protection does not completely overlap
Orphaned puppies and kittens can be fed by what methods
Method of hand feeding depend on the age, vitality and suckling reflex of the neonate
Bottel ro tube feeding
When would you bottle feed a neonate
Preferred method for neonates with good suckling reflex
Can nurse until satiated and reject formula when full
Opening should only allow one drop at a time to fall when bottle inverted
Sucked, never squeezed
How to tueb feed a nonate
Quicker than bottle feeding
Good for weak neonates with poor suckle reflex
Feed tube down esophagus, ensure proper placement
Slowly syringe formula
Monitor stomach for distention, stop if becomes taunt
What, and how long should you feed neonate
Feed at least 4x daily
Very young or weak neonates should be fed every 2-4 hours
Milk replacer should be warmed (38⁰C) and fed slowly
If diarrhea develops, reduce food volume or dilute with water
Gradually return to levels to meet caloric requirements
Energy requirements for puppies
Until a puppy has reached 50% of their adult weight, DER should be 3 x RER
After that, DER should be 2.5 x RER, and progressively reduced to 2 x RER
When puppy has reached 80% of their adult body weight, DER should be 1.8-2 x RER
Long and sensitive growth period
Giant breeds reach 50% of adult weight around 5-6 months of age
Short and intence growth period
Small breed reach 50% of adult weight around 3 months of age
Energy requirements for kittens
Typically reach 80% of adult weight at 30 weeks
Reach adult body weight at 40 weeks (10 months)
At 10 weeks, DER = 200 kcal/kg body weight
Declines to 80 kcal/kg body weight by 10 months of age
How does spaying a kitten effect is nutritional needs
After being spayed weight increases 30%
Food consumption increases by 20%
Activity level decreases 52%
Protein requirements of neonates
Differ from adults in quantity and quality
Highest at weaning and decrease progressively
Specific amino acids important for growth (ie, sulfur- containing amino acids)
Protein Provide structure for maintenance and growth of what for neonates
Hair and nails
Ligaments, tendons, bones, cartilage
Muscles
Brain
Giant breed dogs
High protein leads to developmental issues?
Protein essential for tissue growth
Developmental issues more often linked to high calcium levels rather than protein
Not recommended to transition giant breed puppies to adult formula at 6 months!
Fats and fatty acids of neonates
Excellent source of energy (higher concentration than proteins or fats)
Essential fatty acids of neonate
Linoleic acid
Arachidonic acid (cats)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Neural, retinal and auditory development
Rapid brain development occurs for first 6 weeks after birth
Studies show inclusion improves trainability in puppies
Digestibility of neonates
Ability of puppies and kittens to digest foods is less than adult’s
Foods low in digestibility mean that puppies and kittens need to eat more to grow
Activity of enzymes changes with time
Pancreatic amylase for starch digestion doubles between 9-16 weeks and adult age in puppies
Amylase activity increases while lactose digestion decreases from 3-6 weeks in kittens
What can low digestibility of food cause neonates to have
Flatulence
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Calcium needs for neonates
Puppies and kittens need more adults, but minimum requirements still low
Intestinal absorption of calcium is regulated in adults, but less precise in puppies and kittens
Not properly regulated before 6 months of age
Does not reach below 40%, even in cases of high oral calcium intake
Can lead to calcium retention if intake is high
Excess calcium absorption can result in deposition along the growth plates
Developmental bone deformities and swollen joints
phosphorus needs for kittnes
Phosphorus less critical, but should insure proper Ca:P ratio
1:1 to 1.8:1 in small and medium dogs
1:1 to 1.5:1 in large and giant breeds
Kittens less sensitive to ratio
When should you transition to adult formulas for dogs
Chihuahua-8 months
Small breed - 10 months
Medium breed - 12 months
Large breed - 15-18 month
Giant breed - 18-24 months
When to transition to adult food for cats
Most cats - 12 months
Main coons - 15-18 months
