Week 9 Flashcards
What is protein required for in diet
Tissue growth and repair
Manufacture of hormones & enzymes
Immune system
Energy source
What is protein
What is the function of fats in small animal diet
Main source of energy
Aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)
What essential fatty acids are provided by fat in small animal diet
Linolenic acid (can be synthesised from linoleic)
Linoleic acid
Arachidonic acid
- only found in animal tissue
What are the 3 types of carbohydrates in small animal diets
Simple sugars e.g., glucose in fruit
Starches e.g., glycogen
fibre
What is the function of starch in small animal diet
provide energy
produce heat
building blocks for other nutrients
provide energy storage
source of fibre
What is the function of fibre in small animal diet
promote and regulate normal bowel function
provide fuel for cells in the colon
What is the consequence of too much fibre in a small animal diet
Gas
Constipation
More faeces
More bowel movements
What is a balanced diet
Diet is complete & balanced when animal has consumed enough energy to meet energy requirements & correct amount of all essential nutrients needed for good health
What are complimentary products
foods which individually aren’t sufficient to meet all nutritional requirements of dog/cat in single meal, as they have no added supplements
e.g. mixer biscuits, treats
What is the FEDIAF?
European pet food industry federation - sets standards for pet food manufacture
What factors must be taken into account when choosing a diet for a cat or dog?
Signalment
reproductive status
age
physical exam
weight
muscle condition score
BCS
lab tests (if required)
What is the difference between as fed/guaranteed & dry matter on a food label
As fed/guaranteed: ignores moisture and energy content
Dry matter: accounts for water content but not energy density
e.g.
protein as fed/guaranteed = 10%
Protein dry matter = 50%
What are the pros & cons of dry complete food for cats & dogs?
Pros:
- better for dental care
- more nutrients per 100g
- less needed to satisfy energy and nutritional requirements
Cons:
- limited availability of fatty acids
- low water content
- acceptability is reduced when fed alone
- can become rancid quickly if not stored correctly
What are the pros & cons of wet complete food for cats & dogs?
Pros:
- increased acceptability
- high digestibility
- increase water intake
- can be higher in animal source protein and fat
Cons:
- less nutrients per 100g
- more must be fed to satisfy energy and nutritional needs
- linked to increased dental disease
calculate the protein % as fed & dry matter
protein as fed = 10%
Protein dry matter = (10/93)x100 = 10.7%
For what reasons might a dog or cat be receiving excess energy for their daily requirements?
poor quality diets
owners feeding too much of a diet
high fat content
additional complementary feeds
inadequate exercise
ongoing arthritis or other medical conditions
What can happen if energy fed in dog or cat diet does not meet requirements of the animal
Weight loss/malnutrition
Poor growth in young animals
Lactation failure
Poor wound healing or recovery from illness
Ongoing disease e.g., inflammatory bowel disease
Describe components of a weight loss diet for cats & dogs
Reduced calories
Reduced carbs
Added L-carnitine for fat mobilisation
Reduced dietary fat
Higher insoluble fibre
Increased exercise
Cats have increased protein
How much weight should an overweight dog or cat lose per week
dog: 3%
cat: 2%
How can diet lead to dental disease in cats & dogs
High sugar diets => cavities
Pets on a wet food only diet will acquire tartar if no brushing provided
What are the components of a dog & cat dental diet
Change in texture, hardness and size can influence chewing => breaks food apart and removes plaque in the process
Chewing can stimulate salivary flow and alter the metabolism of plaque forming bacteria
How do you calculate energy density of a diet
Energy density of diet = kilo calories per can/100g
What is RER and how is it calculated
Over 2kg:
RER (kcal) = (30 x BW) + 70
2kg or less:
RER (kcal) = 70 x BW^0.75
What is DER & how is it calculated
Daily energy requirement (DER) is daily requirement for animal in each part of its life stage. When there may be additional stresses applied to the body
What is MER
Maintenance energy requirement (MER) is energy requirement of moderately active adult animal in thermo-neutral environment. This includes energy needed to obtain food as well as energy for spontaneous exercise
What are examples of consequences of feeding homemade or raw diets
Feeding homemade or RAW diet could massively increase risk of nutritional disease
- Rickets
- Growth deformities
- Heart problems, Taurine deficiency
- Other vitamin-based anomalies
How can energy content of protein, fat and carbs be calculated using the as fed analysis?
Protein % x 3.5 = kcal per 100g
Fat % x 8.7 = kcal per 100g
CHO % x 3.5 = kcal per 100g
protein + fat + CHO = total kcal per 100g of food as fed
describe features of feeding puppies & kittens
Weaning ~ 4-8 weeks
High energy requirements - follow manufacturers guidelines
Regularly assess weight and BCS and recalculate feeding to match
Make sure they are gaining weight at steady rate
No supplements
describe features of feeding adult dogs
Complete balanced diet
No supplementation should be needed
Switch from puppy food ~12 months
Feed adult food until senior life stage ~7yrs
Monitor BCS and adjust feed accordingly
Describe features of feeding adult cats
Obligate carnivores
Require taurine, arachidonic acid and pre-formed vit A which are only found in animal tissues
Require 2x the amount of protein as dogs
Describe diet for controlling urinary health in adult cats
Phosphorous intake controlled to prevent struvite crystals
pH controlled to avoid struvite crystals (struvite crystals like alkaline environment)
Controlled level of Mg prevent FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease)
Reduced amount of building blocks for calcium oxalate crystals
Why are wet diets more beneficial for feline urinary tract than dry foods
Water content increases urination which aids prevention of minerals forming crystals
What are the changes in a senior diet for cats & dogs
Avoids excessive sodium intake
- more susceptible to chronic diseases associated with hypertension
Highly digestible
- to enable nutrient absorption in smaller meals & reduce wastage
Excellent palatability
- taste & smell reduced in older pets
High in antioxidants
- to reduce free radical damage
Increase fibre
- to promote normal intestinal motility
Moderate protein intake
- to maintain lean body mass whilst avoiding exacerbation of subclinical renal disease
Reduced phosphorous
- to slow progression of subclinical renal disease
What are dietary requirements of working/active adult dogs
More calories
More fat (not more protein)
Dietary antioxidants to prevent muscle injury
Sprint athlete needs carbs
Endurance athletes need fat
What diets are beneficial for nervous dogs & fussy eaters
high fat diets - tend to be very palatable
What are some considerations for feeding cats & dogs
always allow access to water
Establish sensible feeding regime
Behavioural aspects of regime:
- dont spoil picky dogs
- opportunistic omnivores: wait for favourable food
- multiple feed stations for multiple cat households
Enrichment
Slow feeders for biscuit gobblers
Energy requirement = 1.6
RER = (30 x 15) + 70 = 520 kcal
DER = 520 x 1.6 = 832 kcal per day
832/430 = 2 cans per day
Where do small mammals get their energy from
breakdown of fibre
Describe the natural diet of rabbits & guinea pigs?
Grass, leaves, vegetation
High in fibre
Digestive system relies on:
- bacteria breaking down fibre
- fibre moving through gut at all time
What is the ideal diet of rabbits & guinea pigs?
Why is grass/hay so good for rabbits & guinea pigs?
High fibre
Moderate protein
Trace minerals
Low fat, starch and sugar
Coarse & covered in silicas – abrasive for dental wear
Ensure gut motility – prevent stasis
Stimulates appetite
Support healthy BCS
Enrichment
Grass preferable
Timothy hay better than meadow hay
Compare (rabbit/guinea pig) normal faeces vs normal caecotrophs vs abnormal caecotrophs vs stasis faeces
what are common consequences of poor diet in rabbits & guinea pigs
Describe features of an obese rabbit
Male with dewlap or female with huge dewlap
Fatty pads on shoulders, legs and groin
Large pot bellies
Wider than they are long
Cannot clean back end (lined to myiasis)
Why are pellets better than muesli for small mammals
due to selective feeding
leads to rejection of higher fibre items – often preference for more sugary elements
Why is correct storage important in guinea pig food?
guinea pigs require Vit C from diet
Prolonged storage can lead to depletion of Vit C
Describe calcium in rabbit diet (excess & deficiency)
Rabbits cannot down regulate calcium absorption from gut
Instead calcium is excreted by kidneys
Excessive dietary calcium = uroliths
Deficiency = skeletal & dental defects. Made worse by vitamin D deficiency
Describe alfalfa in rabbit & guinea pig diet
High in carbs, protein and calcium - useful for young, pregnant and lactating animals
Low fibre content
Doesn’t wear down molars or provide gut motility support (because its a legume & not grass hay)
Describe chinchilla diet
High in fibre
require access to good quality hay
additional stick material to chew on
Describe features of hospitalisation of small furries
Away from predators
separate, quiet area
dim lights
ensure you do not smell of predators before handling
hides in kennels and ground level housing
owners bring ordinary food
plenty of fresh, healthy treats
hide with 2 exits
plenty of fresh hay and water
What is the outcome of rabbits not eating caecotrophs?
Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals
What factors can stop rabbits from eating their caecotrophs?
Obesity
Dental health
Joint pain
Restricted access (e.g., buster collars)
What are the clinical signs & treatment for gut stasis in rabbits?
Clinical signs:
- anorexia
- inappetence
- small dry faecal dropping or no droppings
- reduced gut sounds
- painful abdomen
Treatment:
- drugs that increase gut motility
- pain relief
- syringe feeding - provide nutrients and rehydrate gut
- may need fluids
- treat underlying cause
What are pros and cons of raw diets?
Pros:
- highly palatable
- natural
- bones can improve dental health
Cons:
- never totally balanced
- unsuitable for long term
- potential human health risks
- supplements needed
- increased risk of infection
- expensive
- never totally balanced
- potential for human health risks
What are pros and cons of homemade diets?
Pros:
- can be tailored to pets individual needs
- cooked homemade will kill bacteria and parasites
- highly palatable
Cons:
- never totally balanced
- time consuming
- can lead to obesity
- supplements needed
- cooking changes nutritional composition
What are fixed vs open formulation diets?
Fixed - uses same raw materials in all batches, all from same place and all tested
Open - overall nutritional balance will be the same but ingredients my vary
Describe the components of a horse diet
Forage
Roots, succulents and by-products
Vegetable and fish oils
Concentrates
Describe the importance of forage in a horses diet
Should be main component
Can provide complete diet (with added vitamin and mineral supplementation)
Required for healthy digestive system (teeth, intestines)
Fulfils horses psychological need to chew
Chewing stimulates saliva which buffers stomach acid
Describe hay in a horses diet
High in fibre, low in digestible energy, low in starch
High Calcium (Ca) & Potassium (K), lower in Phosphorous (P)
Contains vitamins A, E and K
If sun cured will contain vitamin D
Variable protein: legumes > 20%/Grasses < 4%
Should be < 20% water content to prevent mould
Storage can have impact on quality
Quality depends on grass type & management
Describe steaming vs soaking horse hay
Describe haylage for horses
90% feed value of grass
Minimal dust & spores
Higher digestibility
Need to feed more haylage than hay due to higher moisture content
Do not feed mouldy haylage
- Can cause severe illness
- Botulism rare but a possibility
Describe concentrate feed in horse diets
Fed when horse needs more energy
Low in fibre
high in digestible energy and starch
low in Ca and vitamins
palatable
Describe features of balancers in horse diets
provide essential micronutrients that may be lacking in current diet
low in sugar and starch
good levels of protein, vits and mins
should be given to horses on forage only diet
Describe starch digestion in horses
hydrolysed by digestive enzymes to glucose sub-units in SI
Primarily found in grains, warm season grasses and legumes
What is the effect of feeding excess starch to horses
Takes long time to digest so passes into caecum and gets fermented => produces lactic acid => lower pH => kills bacteria => dead pathogens enter blood stream => laminitis
Describe water insoluble carbohydrate digestion in horse
cannot be digested by digestive enzymes
undergo bacterial fermentation to VFAs in LI
e.g. Cellulose and hemicellulose - found in hay
What are non-structural carbs (NSC) in horse diets
a measure of hydrolysable carbs specific to horses
Water soluble carbs:
- simple sugars
- di- and oligo-saccharides
- some polysaccharides
Ethanol soluble carbs:
- sugar
- glucose
- fructose
- fructans
Starch
Describe the effect of environmental temperature on non-structural carbs & fructan in equine diets
if not correct sunlight or temp grass generates and stores sugar as fructans and it cannot be used for growth
Low environmental temp => higher sugar concentration
Grass eaten by horse in colder temps => fructan enters hindgut => bacterial death, endotoxins in blood and laminitis
Give examples of water soluble carbs (horse diets)
Pectin - found in sugar beet and apples
Fructan - in grass (can affect microbacteria if too much eaten)
Give examples of carbs that are fermented in horses?
Cellulose
hemicellulose
pectin
fructan
describe fat soluble vitamins in horse diets
A and E - found in pasture and hay
D - synthesised when skin exposed to sunlight and found in sun cured forage
K
describe water soluble vitamins in horse diets
Vitamin B complex and K:
- synthesised by microbes in LI
C:
- horses can synthesise this
Why is it recommended for horses to have a salt lick
Commercial diets & forage usually low in Sodium & Chloride
What issues can a poor equine diet cause?
Poor performance
Abnormal behaviour
Underweight
Obesity
Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)
Dental overgrowths
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)
Colic
Why is roughage important for dental health in horses?
increase chewing => prevent sharp points
What are nutritional causes of laminitis in horses
Carb overload
fructan overload
Insulin-induced
How does carbohydrate & fructan overload cause laminitis in horses
Large amount of starch & fructan cannot be broken down by SI digestive enzymes so enters hindgut and gets fermented into VFAs and lactic acid
Lactic acid cannot be absorbed or used => digestive disturbance
Causes death and lysis of bacteria due to acidosis => increased endotoxins in bloodstream
Describe the link between laminitis & equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)
EMS characterised by obesity, insulin dysregulation and laminitis
High levels of NSC (non-structural carbs) in grass => raised blood glucose conc
Insulin dysregulation => hyperinsulinaemia => constriction of blood vessels to laminae
What are the 6 steps of equine ration calculation
- Bodyweight & condition score
- Assess workload / activity level
- Adjust to suit the individual
- Assess dry matter requirements
- Formulate for forage requirements
- Digestible energy (DE) requirement
What are methods of assessing equine weight & body condition
BCS (out of 5 or 9)
Equine weight-tape
electronic scales
What individual considerations are there when planning an equine diet
Age
Physiological state:
- pregnant
- lactating
- growing
- over/under weight
- nutritional disease
- behavioural issues
Individual preference
Owners circumstances
What is the recommended dry matter intake for horses
2% of bodyweight (BW) per day
describe donkey diet
Efficient at digesting poor quality fibre - straw should be majority of diet
Low energy requirement
Browsers and grazers
Vit and min provision via daily balancer
Label the chelonian anatomy
Label the lizard anatomy
Describe reptile oral cavity
Mucous glands:
- lubricate prey, help swallowing
- squamates (poorly developed in chelonians)
Salivary glands:
- scatters in submucosa
- lubrication
Venom glands:
- immobilise prey
Glottis:
- snakes: floor of oral cavity
- lizards, chelonians: base of tongue
Describe snake tongue
in sheath under epiglottis/glottis
forked
heavily keratinised, few taste buds
for olfaction
chemical scents => Jacobson’s organ
Describe Jacobson’s organ
accessory olfactory organ
roof of oral cavity
vomeronasal nerve
What type of teeth are found in squamates
acrodont - not replaced if lost
Pleurodont - shed and replaced
Describe snake teeth
2 maxillary rows
1 mandibular rows
point backwards
Describe lizard & chelonian tongue
Describe chelonian teeth
no teeth
sharp, keratinised beak
Herbivorous species - hard ridges
Describe cranial kinesis of squamates
Can move upper and lower jaws relative to cranium
Quadrate bone - loose articulation with lower jaw (pushes upper jaw upward when lower jaw is opened
Describe snake skull
No mandibular symphysis (no connection between 2 sides of mandible)
Have quadrate bone
Describe reptile oesophagus
thin
fragile
highly distensible
Largely amuscular
No cardiac sphincter (regurgitate easily)
Describe intestines in reptiles
Snake - relatively straight
Lizards, chelonians - can be convoluted
Describe LI of herbivorous chelonians
heavily convoluted with partitions to increase time for microbial fermentation
Caecum has high optimal temp (basking essential)
What is the triad in snakes
spleen, pancreas and gall bladder are close together
get splenopancreas in some
Describe GI microflora of herbivorous reptiles
aerobic
anaerobic
gram -ve
gram +ve
yeast
protozoa
Describe fat storage in reptiles
little subcut fat
fat bodies (often in caudal coelom)
base of tail in lizards
Describe the sensory methods of food detection in reptiles
Visual
Chemosensory:
- olfaction
- vomerolfaction (Jacobson’s organ)
- gustation
Thermal:
- heat pits detect temp of prey
- e.g. Boidae, Pythonidae, Viperidae
What animals are found in order caudata
newt
salamander
siren
What animals are found in order anura
toads
frogs
describe what animals are found in order gymnophiona
legless
look like worms or snakes
burrowers
from tropical areas
Describe diet of amphibians
larval form are herbivorous
adults are carnivores - often eat invertebrates
Describe tongue of frogs & salamanders
long, muscular, sticky end
describe amphibian teeth
crowns curve towards pharynx to hold prey in
shed and replace teeth throughout life
describe amphibian GI anatomy
Short, simple GIT
SI - enzymatic digestion (villi for absorption)
LI - water and salt absorption
Cloaca
Describe the digestive glands found in amphibians
Buccal cavity (mouth):
- mucous glands (lubrication)
- salivary glands (lubrication)
- intermaxillary gland (sticky compound on tongue)
Describe unique features of fish digestive anatomy
immobile tongue
no salivary glands
pharyngeal teeth in some species to grind food
gill rakers - retain food and protect gills
Diffuse pancreas (not single organ)
Swim bladder
Low temperature inhibits digestion
Describe the swim bladder
Outgrowth of oesophagus
Used for hydrostatic equilibrium (buoyancy)
Physostomes:
- maintains connection with oesophagus
- gulp airs to fill bladder
- food can enter accidentally
Physoclistous:
- use capillary network as source of gases
- not connected to oesophagus
When do we need to consider assisted feeding?
anorexia/anticipated anorexia
weight loss/malnutrition
Increased losses e.g., renal disease, chronic diarrhoea
Increased requirements e.g., extensive healing wound
Bypass areas of GIT
What are types of assisted feeding
Naso-oesophageal/naso-gastric tubes
Oesophagostomy tubes
Gastrostomy tubes (PEG)
Describe features of naso-oesophageal or naso-gastric tubes
well tolerated
3-5 days
cheap
home care possible
can lead to food in wind pipe if dislodged
Describe features of oesophagostomy tubes
tube enters oesophagus from incision on neck
Well tolerated
3-4 weeks
GA needed to place
can get infected
home care possible
Describe features of percutaenous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG)
tube placed into stomach via abdominal wall
GA needed to place
allow 2 weeks before use to allow tube to heal into stomach wall so no food leaks into body cavity
Left in place for months, possibly indefinitely
Used for swallowing disorders
Expensive
Needs good home care
What are common problems with feeding tubes & the causes
Describe the tube feeding of critical patients
Day 1 - feed 1/3 of daily requirement
Day 2 - feed 2/3 of daily requirement
Day 3 - feed entire daily requirement
Weigh patient every morning and afternoon
Warm food and water to body temp
Record quantity of food and water given
Make note of how well food was tolerated
What can you see here?
How do you BCS a snake?
Healthy body shape:
- well rounded
- no bumps or irregularities
- muscular appearance
Healthy palpation:
- good muscle tone
- feel ribs slightly
Healthy tail base thickness:
- gradual tapering
- no abrupt changes
Regular weighing
What are causes of pyramiding in chelonians
poor diet (too many calories and protein)
low humidity
improper UV light
dehydration of keratin
Vit D deficiency
Ca:P imbalance
What types of diets predispose parrots to hypovitaminosis A & what are the clinical sigsn?
Diets:
- Seed only diet - Vit A deficiency
- High fat diets
Clinical signs:
- nasal discharge
- periorbital swelling
- conjunctivitis
- dyspnoea
- PU/PD
- poor feather quality
- feather plucking
- anorexia
- repro issues
What is normal frequency of borborygmi in rabbits
every 30 seconds
What is going on here (rabbit)
gut stasis (gas built up in intestines)
What are common nutritional deficiencies in chickens
Vitamin A,E,K
Choline
Zinc
Ca
Describe best feeding practices for poultry
balanced pelleted ration
constant access to food and water
Food not eaten off ground
