Small Animal Nutrition Flashcards
Which acid (in form of fat in diet) is needed in cats only?
Arachidonic acid
What kind of products contain taurine and arachidonic acid?
Animal products
Name the main fat-soluble vitamins
A D E K
Which vitamins are water soluble?
B
List the essential macrominerals
Ca, Ph, Mg, Na, K, Cl
List microminerals/trace elements
Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, I
Which macronutrients are essential?
Fats and Proteins
Which macronutrients are non-essential?
Carbohydrates ( E and fibre )
These are protein and fat sparing in metabolism and fibre regulates micro biome and promotes GIT health
Name 4 types of fibre
Soluble, insoluble, fermentable, non-fermentable
What is nutritional aim 1?
Complete and balanced
Provide all nutrients required
In correct quantity (x excessive)
Around 40 essential nutrients for cats and dogs
What is aim 2?
DIGESTIBLE
Nutrients need to be bioavailable
Aim 3?
PALATABLE
Needs to be appetising to pet
Contributing factors include: fats, moisture, protein (cats), aroma, texture, shape
Aim 4?
NOT FED IN XCS
Excess nutrients may cause harm
Excess E leads to obesity
Control needed: feed recommended amounts and weigh on digital scale
Monitor E intake by calorie calculations and regular weight checks
Aim 5?
SAFE
For pet and owner
Free from toxic compounds and enteropathogens e.g. salmonella, campylobacter and E.coli spp
Aim 6?
ACHIEVEABLE
Financial budget, time budget, motivation level, accessibility, transport, online?
Aim 6?
SUSTAINABLE
Food shortages? Enviro impact of meat prod, alternative food sources needed?
What does growth stage nutrition span?
Birth to skeletal maturity
How are neonates (first 2 weeks of life) born?
Altricial (dependent)
Eyes and ears closed
Unable to regulate body temperature
Require stimulation for urination and defecation
Which hours are most critical in neonates?
First 36hrs
Need to keep a warm, quiet, stable enviro with no visitors
What is the first milk called and what does it provide?
Colostrum provides passive immunity (antibodies)
*unlike peeps only 10-20% of antibodies passsed in utero when pregnant so most via colosturm
What else does colostrum provide?
Hydration and increase circulating blood volume
How long does colostrum provide protection for.
16 weeks (vax)
What is max window for colostrum feeding
48hrs
What are nutrients of greatest importance in neonatal mothers?
Water (milk is 78% water)
Fats and Protein (depend on lactation stage)
Ça (help neonates lay down bone)
EFAs
At what ages does weaning take place?
3-4 weeks (completed at 6)
What are suitable foods to wean onto?
Puppy/kitten foods and milk mix (species specific)
*needs to be correct consistency for weaning stage
*warm
*can start to eat completely dry, solid food at 6 weeks
Why are protein, E and Ça needed during growth?
Proteins: building new tissues
E: approx 2x adult amount needed
Ca: building bone
Why are supplements of Ca x needed in growth?
Correct Ça should already be provided in balanced diet
In growth, as lib or meal feed?
Meal feed with feeding windows (ad lib can lead to overconsumption)
*Avoid overfeeding
What is risk of being overweight before reaching skeletal maturity?
Increased risk of being overweight for rest of life
What charts can help be used to monitor growth and prevent obesity?
Evidence based growth charts
How can you help an adult maintain its ideal weight?
Regular weighing, regular BCS scoring, Controlled food amounts, controlled treats, suitable activity levels
How to feed the accurate quantity?
Feeding guide, online software, calculation, weigh out feed, monitor and adjust
What is ideal dog and cat BCS score out of 9?
4-5
What visible indicators show good BCS?
Waist visible from above
Ribs x visible (usually) but should be easy to feel
Abdominal tuck (beware of xcs skin in cats)
Animal looks in proportion
Why do owners need treats?
Training
Positive reinforcement
Behaviour control
Bonding
Communication
Way to show love
Method of interaction
How might treats be managed?
Provide small pieces and look for lower calorie alternatives
How to help stop food stealing?
Pick up uneaten food
Secure the bin
Separate rooms or cat boxes
Technology (control access)
Remove temptation
Remove opportunity
What does ideal activity level depend on?
Species, breed, evolutionary behaviours, type of activity, personality, health status, age
What age are cats considered mature?
7-10 yrs
What age are cats considered senior?
11-14 yrs
What age are cats considered geriatric?
15+ yrs
What section of life are dogs considered senior?
Last 1/3
Small/toy = 10+
Medium/lg = 8+
Giant = 5-7
Mixed breeds may live longer than pedigree
What are two influencers of aging?
Genetics and environment
List some age related changes
Loss of pigment
Increased sleep
More controlled demeanour
Decreased thermorégulation ability
Greater risk of dieseses as immune system wears out
What changes may be seen to the skin and coat with age?
Loss of skin elasticity
Dull or dry coat
Hair loss
Reduced grooming (pain, arthritis, unable to reach?)
What locomotive changes may be seen with aging
Change in posture and positioning as well as alterations to mobility
How might body composition change in seniors?
Decrease in lean mass
Increase in fat mass
Reduction in basal metabolic rate due to muscle mass loss
How might energy requirements change in seniors?
MAY decrease, depending in individual activity level, weight and BCS
How do the senses change with aging?
Reduced vision e.g. cataracts
Reduced hearing
Reduced taste (impact palatability and may reduce food intake or preference)
What are some diseases associated with reduced immune function caused by aging
Osteoarthritis
Cancers
Infection
How does cardiac function alter with aging?
Reduced cardiac function (reduced output, vascular thickening resulting in congestive heart disease)
What might happen to digestive capacity in senior pets?
Decrease (fats and proteins digestibility especially in cats)
What happens to renal system with aging?
Reduced renal function
V. Common cause of death in both cats and dogs
75% functional loss before clinical signs observed
How might behaviour and cognition change with aging?
Lower mental awareness
Confusion
Reduced food intake
Depression
Unable to manage stress or environmental changes
Anxiety
Memory loss
Irritability
Pain-related aggression
House soiling (cognitive or pain?)
Changes to sleep wake cycle
Vocalisation
What is associated with deteriorating dentition due to age?
Periodontitis
Maxilla bone erosion
Gingiva recession
Tooth loss
How can thirst response change with age?
Decrease
What happens to all body systems to varying degrees with age?
Deterioration
What is sarcopenia?
Age related muscle atrophy
How can sarcopenia (normal part of aging) be minimised?
Optimal nutrition (enough proteins)
Increase or preserve muscle mass with rehabilitation and exercise
What is cachexia?
Associated with wasting disease
Complex syndrome
Metabolic disturbance
Catabolism of skeletal muscle (increased muscle loss equal to fat loss)
Seen in cases of cancer, cardiac disease, chronic kidney disease
Can nutrition prevent cachexia?
NO (only minimise)
What are the aims of essential nutrients in seniors?
Support all body systems
Support vitality
Slow effects of aging process
Slow disease progression
Alleviate clinical signs of disease
Optimal BCS
Preserve lean tissue mass
Explain provision of water in seniors
Clean, fresh and always available
Water fountains, Pyrex dishes (some cats x like smells), shallow bowls (cats x like wet whiskers)
Monitor and report changes
What do fats provide in senior nutrition and how much should be fed?
Moderate to low levels
Provide E when needed, Palatability, Fat soluble vitamins ADEK, EFAs
What should proteins provide in senior nutrition?
Need to be good quality and bioavailable (reduces waste products)
Maintaining lean mass
Contributes to palatability (especially cats)
Tissue synthesis
Immune function
*do not restrict unless renal impairment
What is the function of carbs in senior nutrition
Less necessary in cats
Provides E (excess stored as fat)
Carbon skeletons for no-essential nutrient synthesis
Protein and fat sparing so they can be used for other processes
Fibre
Describe required calcium intake of seniors
No need to increase with age (provided in complete and balanced nutrition)
Describe required Ph intake of seniors
Restrict (especially in cats due to risk of renal disease)
Describe required Na intake of seniors
Monitor
May be too hi in some foods
Be careful with renal or cardiac disease patients
How can K mineral be lost in older patients?
In urine
What should Mg content of senior diets be?
Moderate
If too hi, struviate urinary crystals
If too low, Ca oxalate crystals
Name 3 antioxidants
VIT C
VIT E
Selenium
- we don’t know which antioxidants are most useful but unlikely to cause harm so we give them all anyway
What is the result of oxidative stress?
Free radical production
Free radicals damage DNA, cells and proteins
Process is accelerated with aging
What is obesity?
A CHRONIC INCURABLE DISEASE
Why does obesity have lifelong consequences (incurable?)
Metabolic E requirement after weight loss is lower so can’t return to normal diet and must receive continued obesity care as have lower calorific needs
Explain fat gain
Adipose tissue is formed from increasing numbers of adipocytes during growth that expand during adulthood
Active endocrine tissue releases hormones called adipokines which are detrimental as may cause inflammation, insulin resistance and impaired immunity
What are the implications of obesity?
Osteoarthritis (too much weight on joint plus inflammatory adipokines make pain worse)
Airway disease
Urinary disease (FLUTD)
Metabolic disorders (diabetes)
Increased cancer, surgical, anaesthetic risks
Poor skin and coat due to inability to groom
Name 4 alternative diets
Raw Meat based diets (RMBD)
Home-cooked prepared diets (HPCD)
Vegan diets
Grain free diets
Why should pets not necessarily be fed like their ancestors?
Domestication and evolution e.g. of the 36 genomic differences between dogs and wolves, 10 are responsible for carbohydrate digestion
Also differences in lifestyle and lifespan
What are the claimed benefits of RMBD (no supporting evidence)
Reduced incidence of GI signs
Improves stools (no fillers)
Better breath
Reduced risk of obesity
Reduced shedding
Fewer allergies and skin complaints
Better behaviour
Fewer parasites
Lower veterinary costs
What are some of the risks of RMBD?
Dental fractures
Oesophageal obstructions
Gastric FBs
Why might palatability of RMBD be better?
Increased fat and moisture (good for picky eaters but x if prone to obesity)
What are some common pathogens in raw food (especially issue if bought food from supermarket that was intended to be cooked)
Also remember pathogens are also a risk to the owner and the enviro
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Listeria
E.coli
Staphylococcus
Tuberculosis
Norovirus
How to check if food is nutritionally balanced (difficult with raw meat based diets and can have lifelong consequences)
Laboratory analysis and feeding trials to be overseen by a qualified individual
What are the claims of HPCD?
More natural
Fewer allergies
Lower incidence of GI signs
Better stool quality
Improved behaviours
No carbs (but dogs and cats can generally digest these)
Unprocessed
No additives or preservatives
How can HPCD be good?
Food-elimination trials
Better control
Management of proven adverse reactions to food or specific diseases when commercially x available
Improved safety compared to RMBD
Improved palatability (hi fat?)
Why is nutritional imbalance such a big risk in HPCD?
VAST majority of diets found to be inadequate
What are the downsides of HPCD?
Unaffordable (formulation costs, ingredients, supplements)
Not easy
Time
Viable long-term option?
Can dogs eat a vegan diet?
Dogs are more omnivorous than carnivorous and are genetically different from wolves
They have a greater capacity for utilising carbs
Plant diets can be formulated to be complete and balanced
Studies show that dogs can sustain exercise on vegan diets
Can cats have a vegan diet?
NO
Cats are obligate carnivores - they need animal products to gain Taurine and arachidonic acid or will have a nutritional imbalance
Taurine is the most common limiting aa, synthetic sources may not be bioavailable
Arachidonic acid has no synthetic alternatives
*egg sometimes used to balance vegan cat diets
What makes grain-free diets a bit pointless
They exclude all types of gluten even though animal is usually on,y intolerant to some of them (blanket approach may cause problems)
* x exclude carbs as can still contain potatoes
What is the benefit use of a grain free diet?
Can be used for elimination food trials
However most common dietary reactions are from beef, dairy and soya (not gluten)
What is another benefit of grain-free diets?
Can manage skin disease in dogs with proven adverse reactions to foods
What condition is grain-feee diets necessary for?
Paroxysmal gluten-sensitive dyskinesia (neurological disorder that causes abnormal limb movement)
What condition is concerningly associated with grain in dogs
DCM
What is DCM?
Dilated cardio myopathy
May or may not be related to grain-free diets?
