VETM 465 - Applied Nutrition__Midterm 1 Flashcards
What disease should you assume every reptile that comes into your clinic has?
Metabolic bone disease
True or False: A buffet feeding style is appropriate for wildlife
False. Animals rarely pick out a balanced diet (ex. if you were at a buffet and there was vegetables and candy, you’d probably take more candy than vegetables)
True or False: Seed-based diets are well balanced and appropriate for birds
False. Seeds are deficient in vitamin A, protein, calcium, and other nutrients and are high in fat so seeds are not a great option.
What is aflatoxicosis in birds?
A mycotoxin common with chronic ingestion of seed-based diets
Which pathogen causes aflatoxicosis in birds?
Aspergillus
How can you prevent aflatoxicosis in birds?
- Proper seed storage (low moisture to prevent mold formation) - Use human grade seeds
What pathologies does aflatoxicosis in birds cause?
- Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis - Hepatic carcinoma
True or False: Non-domesticated mammalian omnivores (ex. bears, raccoons) can be fed dog food as a domestic food substitute
True
True or False: Hippos, rhinos, and kangaroos are ruminants
False
Tortoises and iguana are __________ fermenters
Hindgut
Kangaroos and sloths are ___________ fermenters
Foregut
True or False: Respiratory disease in pet rabbits can be due to poor nutrition
True
What is the most common respiratory disease in rabbits caused by poor nutrition?
Pasteurellosis (called “snuffles”)
What is the most important nutrient for rabbit GI processes?
Fiber (coarse non-digestible particles will stimulate GI movement)
What can an inadequate fiber content lead to in rabbits (three)?
- Fur chewing (barbering) - GI stasis - Hepatic lipidosis
True or False: Carrots are a good source of fiber for rabbits
False. This is a common myth. It is much better if you feed the carrot stem versus the carrot
Which rodents participate in corporophagy and why?
Rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters (most rodents). These are all hindgut fermenters, so dietary fiber is divided into large (indigestible) and small (digestible) fibers. Large particles are eliminated directly as hard fecal pellets but smaller particles are sent back to cecum for fermentation
What are cecotrophes?
Re-ingested fecal pellets (coated in mucus that protects nutrients from stomach acids)
When is cecotrophe ingestion the highest in rabbits?
When rabbits are fed a diet high in non-digestible fiber
What are the nutritional benefits of cecotrophes?
It has double the protein and half the fiber of a normal pellet. It is also high in vitamins B and K
Which two exotic domestic species are obligate carnivores?
Ferrets and snakes
What are four unique facts about the ferret GI system?
- No cecum - Very short GI system (3 hours transit time) - Spontaneous secretors of HCl - Few brush border enzymes
True or False: Seasonal obesity is not harmful and should be considered normal in ferrets
True (they will slim down in spring)
Which two nutrients are more important in ferrets?
Protein (35%) and fat (20%)
Which two nutrients should be restricted in ferrets?
- Sugar - Fiber
True or False: Ferrets can be fed dog food as long as it’s well balanced
False. High quality cat/kitten food is acceptable (because cats are also obligate carnivores) but less recommended than an actual ferret diet
What is the main challenge in feeding ferrets (in relation to their unique GI anatomy)?
They require frequent small meals due to a fast gastrointestinal transit time
The first three food ingredients in a ferret diet should be __________
Animal protein products
Which two nutritional disorders do ferrets get?
- Urinary stones (caused by feeding plant proteins or dog food) - Insulinomas (caused by feeding a high carbohydrate diet)
What are insulinomas?
A pancreatic islet beta cell tumour (most common neoplasia of North American ferrets)
What are some clinical signs of insulinomas?
- Hypoglycemia - Lethargy - Paresis - Seizures (rare)
How can insulinomas be medically managed (three)?
- Glucocorticoids (prednisone) - Diazoxide (inhibits pancreatic insulin release) - Diet changes (high protein, low carb, food available all the time)
True or False: Ferret insulinomas rarely metastasize
True
What is the BMR formula for passerines (songbirds)?
129 x BW^0.75kg
What is the BMR formula for placental mammals?
70.5 x BW^0.75kg
What is the BMR formula for marsupials?
49 x BW^0.75kg
What is the BMR formula for reptiles?
10 x BW^0.75kg
Deficiencies of what nutrients can cause feather destructive behaviour in birds?
Vitamin A and/or iodine
What is required by birds for digestion? What is the purpose of this?
Grit (or clay in the wild). It binds tannins and toxins and is necessary for whole seed eaters (granivores)
What are the six most common nutritional deficiencies in exotics?
- Metabolic bone disease 2. Hypovitaminosis A 3. Vitamin E/selenium deficiency 4. Thiamin deficiency 5. Vitamin C deficiency 6. Obesity
What are the differences between rickets, osteomalacia, and fibrous osteodystrophy?
- Rickets is the inadequate mineralization of bone due to deficiencies in vitamin D and or calcium (usually occurs in juveniles) - Osteomalacia is the softening of bone due to mineral loss from a previously mineralized bone (usually occurs in adults) - Fibrous osteodystrophy is the replacement of bone with fibrous material *All three are types of metabolic bone disease
What are the three main causes of metabolic bone disease?
- Absolute calcium deficiency 2. Ca:P imbalance 3. Vitamin D deficiency
Which four animals cannot utilize vitamin D2 and require D3?
New world primates, birds, reptiles, and fish
Which reptiles are unable to ingest enough vitamin D in their diet and therefore require adequate sunlight?
Iguanas
True or False: Birds do not have a requirement for vitamin D3 if they receive adequate sunlight
True
What are some clinical signs of metabolic bone disease in amphibians and reptiles?
- Fractures and softening of bones - Swollen jaws and tooth loss - Hypocalcemic tetany - Deformed shells - Paralysis (especially lizards) - Deformed or soft eggs
What are some clinical signs of metabolic bone disease in birds?
- Poor feathering - Deformed or soft eggs
What are some clinical signs of metabolic bone disease in primates?
Reluctance to climb
What species is extraosseous calcium storage most common in?
Geckos
True or False: Extraosseous calcium storage is easily identified on radiographs
True
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is most common in what species?
Young carnivores, birds, and reptiles
Why is it important to ask for owner permission to examine a reptile with serious MBD?
If they have severe bone issues they will be all mangled and deformed. You need to ask the owner for permission to examine them as you may break bones. Their bones are so brittle they can snap, so make sure the owner understands this before you continue
How will MBD appear on radiographs?
It will be really hard to visualize the bones as they are less dense
In an animal with MBD will their total serum calcium be low, normal, or high?
Surprisingly, it will be normal. This seems weird because their bones have hardly any calcium and are less dense, but the reason their bones are like this is that the body is taking calcium from the bones in order to maintain blood calcium levels. So while their bones are deficient, their blood should be normal.
Can you reverse bone damage from metabolic bone disease?
You can’t reverse it, but if you intervene you can stop it from getting worse
How can you treat acute metabolic bone disease?
Give calcium gluconate IV
What is the proper calcium to phosphorus ratio a diet should have?
0.08402777777777781
How can you treat chronic MBD?
Supplement with vitamin D (make sure the product you use is only vitamin D because if there is vitamin A in there you could overdose them on vitamin A)
True or False: Seeds, muscle/organ meat, fruit, grains, and insects all have proficient levels of calcium in them.
FALSE!!!! They are actually deficient in calcium so you have to supplement reptiles with calcium.
What is the proper way to supplement calcium using crickets?
- Use young crickets 2. Feed crickets a high calcium diet to stuff their little guts with tasty goodness 3. Dust the crickets in calcium powder (you have to feed them immediately after this as the calcium powder blocks their breathing holes and they will suffocate soon) 4. Feed crickets directly to reptile with tongs so you know how many they are eating
What are five considerations you need to make when storing frozen mice to feed to reptiles?
- Individually bag them - Date the bags and don’t keep longer than 6 months - Do not microwave them (some parts might get super hot and burn reptiles) - Let food thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm to 37 degrees in a warm water bath - Do not heat higher than 40 degrees
What type of UV light do reptiles need?
UVB
True or False: All meat or all seed diets are deficient in vitamin A
True
What are five clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency in birds?
- White plaques form in mouth - Blunted choanal papillae - Conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and respiratory infections - Poor growth - Gout
What bird species is most prone to vitamin A deficiency?
Parrots
What reptile species is most prone to vitamin A deficiency?
Tortoises
What is short tongue syndrome?
Occurs in amphibians with vitamin A deficiency. Amphibians will be unable to catch bugs. What is happening is their tongue is hitting the prey but the prey are not sticking because there is a lack of sticky mucous.
What does vitamin A deficiency cause in rabbits?
- Neonatal hydrocephalus - Stillbirths
What does vitamin A deficiency cause in fish?
- Poor growth - Retinal atrophy
Blindness is a symptom of ___________________ deficiency in all species
Vitamin A
How can you treat vitamin A deficiency?
- Give vitamin A injection (but don’t overdo it) - Adapt diet
True or False: It is safe to feed reptiles spinach and broccoli
False. It is not recommended as they can be high in oxalates and cause goiters
What food is best to feed to ensure adequate vitamin A levels?
Fruits and vegetables (particularly dark, leafy greens but no spinach or broccoli)
What species cannot utilize the vitamin A in carrots and why?
Birds because they lack cellulase
Which four species are most prone to vitamin E/selenium deficiency?
Guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, and hooved mammals
Is vitamin E/selenium deficiency an issue in Alberta?
Yes, at Elk Island the soil is very low in selenium and it has caused issues in animals there
What are five clinical signs of vitamin E/selenium deficiency?
- White muscle disease - Stiffness - Cardiomyopathy - Ill thrift and lethargy - Conjunctivitis
What is steatitis in reptiles caused by?
High fat diets
True or False: It is common to give ungulate neonates an injection of vitamin E/selenium
True
Thiamin deficiency is common in what species?
Fish-eating species
What causes thiamin deficiency in fish eaters?
Dead fish release thiaminase (an enzyme that dissolves thiamine)
How can you prevent thiamin deficiency in fish eaters?
Buy thiamin paste and smear it in the gills of the fish you are going to feed them
Which two species are most prone to vitamin C deficiency?
Guinea pigs and primates
A deficiency in what vitamin causes teeth to fall out?
Vitamin C
What is hemochromatosis?
An excessive accumulation of iron in tissues
Hemochromatosis is common in what species?
Lemurs
What happens if rabbits eat too much calcium?
Their serum calcium is not regulated in a narrow range so excess calcium will be excreted in urine in high concentrations. This will cause urine to become sludgy and this can build up in the urinary tract, causing blockages
What should growing rabbits (< 7 months) be fed (three)?
- Legume-based alfalfa pellets - Grass hay ad lib - Veggies (but no spinach or cabbage)
What should adult rabbits be fed?
- Non-legume based pellet - Grass hay ad lib
What are the seven benefits of hay for rabbits?
- High fiber 2. Ideal Ca:P ratio 3. Good behavioral enrichment (promotes foraging) 4. Reduces aggression 5. Reduces excessive grooming, fur chewing, and chewing on inappropriate objects 6. Decreased risk of obesity and pododermatitis 7. Reduced risk of uroliths, dental, and infectious diseases
Arthrosclerosis is common in ___________________
Captive parrots
What is the leading cause of death of adult male gorillas?
Fibrosing cardiomyopathy
How do you treat gout?
With palliative care
Commercial pet foods supply all nutrients except __________
Water
Which nutrients do commercial pet food supply?
- Energy (fat, carbs, protein) 2. Essential fatty acids 3. Essential amino acids 4. Minerals 5. Vitamins
What are the three energy sources?
- Protein 2. Carbohydrates 3. Fat
Which energy source has the most calories per kg?
Fat. Carbohydrates and protein are about equal with each other (3.5 cals/kg) but fat has significantly more (8.5 cals/kg)
Which animal requires more protein in their diet, dogs or cats?
Cats (30% DM basis). Dogs are a little lower at 22% DM basis
Essential fatty acids are required at _______% DM
0.02
What are the three required essential fatty acids?
- Linolenic acid 2. Linoleic acid 3. Arachidonic acid (cats)
What are the two main considerations when adding minerals to a diet?
- Meeting absolute requirement (calories) 2. Maintaining a ratio (ex. Ca:P)
What are the water soluble vitamins?
B
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
K, A, D, E
There is no definitive requirement for Vitamin _______ in small animals
C
Why are vitamins generally added in excess in diets? Name two examples.
There may be extensive loss during processing or storage. Ex. Vitamins A and B can be destroyed through heat or canning and lipid peroxidation consumes Vitamin E
The largest proportion of energy on a DM basis in wet food is due to what?
Fat
Canned food has a higher ________ and ______ content but a lower _______ content than dry food
Protein and fat, carbohydrate
What does AAFCO stand for?
Association of American Feed Control Officials
What is AAFCO?
It is a non-governmental organization that sets guidelines for uniform labelling and nutritional adequacy. Each state sets separate pet food regulations
What are nine things AAFCO-compliant labels must include?
- Product name 2. Net weight 3. Name and address/email of manufacturer 4. Guaranteed analysis (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and moisture) 5. Ingredients in descending order by weight 6. The words “dog or cat food” 7. Caloric content per common unit of measure 8. Statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose (ex. kitten, weight loss, etc.) 9. Directions for feeding
AAFCO guidelines form a basis of regulations in all states except for which two states?
Nevada and Alaska
True or False: AAFCO compliance is “voluntary”
True
What four pieces of information are not availiable on an AAFCO label?
- Overall digestibility 2. Biologic value of protein 3. Quality of product 4. Contamination
What are the two primary AAFCO methods of substantiating nutritional adequacy?
- Computer analysis to meet AAFCO guidelines 2. Standardized AAFCO feeding trials
What are the four things a feeding trial can tell you that a computer analysis can’t?
- Palatability 2. Digestibility and nutrient availability 3. Nutrient interactions 4. Toxins and contaminants
What is the “family product” rule?
A rule that allows manufacturers to use a label claiming it has passed AAFCO feeding trial standards when it has not, due to a very similar product in the line with the same computer analysis results having passed the AAFCO feeding trials standards.
What are five indicators of pet food quality?
- Animal protein high on ingredient list (#1 or #2 for cats) 2. Check for added calcium 3. Digestibility >75% 4. Quality of packaging 5. Be suspicious when a label has different forms of the same ingredient listed separately (it’s a sketchy way for a company to hide how much of a certain ingredient they are putting in the food by breaking it up)
True or False: Corn is a common allergen in dogs
False. Very few dogs are actually allergic or intolerant of corn
Wheat has an unusually high ______ content
Protein (up to 18%!)
True or False: Wheat is a common allergen in dogs
True, it is one of the top three common causes of allergies in dogs (way more likely to cause problems than corn)
What are the first three limiting amino acids in corn or wheat?
- Lysine - Methionine - Threonine
What are the disadvantages of a grain-free diet?
- Very high in fat and protein content (expensive and can lead to obesity) 2. Poor choice for hepatic or renal insufficiency, fat intolerance, or pancreatitis 3. It has been linked with causing DCM in dogs
What are the disadvantages of a raw diet?
- Harder to balance 2. Risk of bacterial infections 3. Iatrogenic hyperthyroidism and foreign bodies
What is a maintenance energy requirement (MER)?
An energy requirement that meets the needs for basal metabolic rate, body temperature, obtaining and digesting food, and recovery from normal activity
What formula should you use to calculate MER for adult dogs?
MER = 110 (BW in kg) ^ 3/4
What is metabolizable energy?
The gross energy in food minus energy lost in feces and urine (energy that can be metabolized by the animal)
Treats should not be more than ______% of daily calorie intake
0.1
What percent more protein do geriatric dogs need to maintain muscle mass versus young dogs?
They need 50% more protein to gain the same amount of muscle as a young dog
True or False: As a dog gets older, we should automatically decrease protein intake since they are less active
False. Remember they actually need more protein to maintain muscle mass versus a younger dog
Cats have an absolute requirement for which two amino acids?
Taurine and arginine
What are the protein requirements for an older cat versus a younger cat?
Likely increased or unchanged. It is less of a problem in cats than it is in dogs
Puppies and kittens have increased requirements for which nutrients versus adult dogs and cats?
They have increased requirements for ALL nutrients, especially protein, energy, and calcium and phosphorus
Should puppies eat more dry or more wet food?
More dry food, although wet food can be used if it’s a smaller breed puppy
True or False: You should never use vitamin and mineral supplements in growing puppies
True. This can cause disastrous mineral imbalances and ratios
True or False: Ad limitum feeding is recommended for puppies
False! Puppies are better to be underfed versus overfed. An obese puppy is likely to grow into an obese dog
What two things should you especially avoid when feeding a large breed puppy?
- Excessive energy intake (growing too quickly into their “big adult body” is very bad!) 2. Moderate Ca:P intake (high calcium intake leads to bone pathology, especially in large breeds)
What amino acid is absolutely essential for growth in kittens?
Taurine
True or False: Ad limitum feeding is recommended for kittens
True. They have a very high calorie requirement as kittens and kittens are less likely to overeat versus puppies
At what age should you introduce an adult diet to a kitten and why?
Around 6 months of age. This is because they are 75% of their adult size by the time they are 6 months old.
How often should you feed warmed formula to puppy and kitten neonates?
Every 4 hours (use a stomach tube if necessary!)
How often should you weigh bottle fed neonates?
At least once daily
When should you introduce commercial pet food to kittens and puppies?
Around 2 weeks of age
When should puppies and kittens be weaned?
Around 6 weeks of age
Rank these species by the energy content in their milk from most to least: Cats, cows, dogs, goats
Dogs > Cats > Goats > Cows
What are the three primary components of a nutritional assessment?
- Food and food related factors 2. Animal and animal related factors 3. Feeding management (the owner)
How can animal related factors impact nutritional assessment (three)?
- Environment (dogs in hot climates have greater nutritional needs) 2. Activity level (working dogs like arctic sled dogs need a crazy amount of calories) 3. Dietary sensitivities (animal may have an allergy but confirm is this is definitive or if it’s just an owner assumption)
What are some owner related factors that can affect nutritional assement?
How the owner is feeding that animal: - Ad libitum - Who feeds them - Where are they being fed - Are there additional food sources - Other pets
What does body condition score reflect?
It reflects body composition (the amount of fat compared to the lean body mass)
Are cats or dogs harder to score on body condition? Why?
Cats are due to their inguinal fat pad, where cats store fat (and gives them a little swinging tum tum)
What nutritional disorders does each breed commonly get: Arctic breeds, irish setters, bedlington terriers
- Arctic breeds get zinc responsive dermatosis - Irish setters get gluten-sensitive enteropathy - Bedlington terriers get hepatic copper storage disease
What is a nutritional assessment comprised of?
- History 2. Physical exam 3. Lab work
What information do you need to get during a physical exam in regards to nutrition?
- Body weight - record it in medical record 2. Body condition score 3. Are there signs of malnutrition?