Small animal nutrition 1

Nutrition

Process of obtaining a proper and balanced diet to support growth, maintenace, and reproduction.

Nutrient

A single food group or groups of the same chemical composition that supports life.

Water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals

What are the 6 nutrient groups?

Protein
CHO
Fats

Energy producing

Water
Vitamins
Minerals

Non energy producing

Wild animals

Eat to satisfy their energy needs

Domestic animals

Rely on owners to obtain nutrient and energy needs

Metabolizable energy

The energy actually available to the animal following digestion and absorption.

Water

Most essential nutrient in the body

Regulate body temperature
Transport nutrients
Carry wastes
Giving body it's form

Water is needed for...

55-65%
90-95%
72-78%
30-40%

Water makes up..
Blood..
Muscle..
Bone..

Drinking, eating moist foods, and metabolic processes

Water is obtained ed from

10-12%
25-40%
72-82%

Dry food
Semi- moist food
Canned food

20-30 ml/lb/day
60 ml/kg/hr

Water requirement?

Develop and repair organs and tissues
Fetal development
Develops antibodies
Transmit DNA

Protein are needed for

Burned for energy

Excess proteins

Animal source proteins contain more eaa's than plant source proteins

Essential and non essential amino acids

Cannot be manufactured by the body and must be supplied by food source. The more present the higher the quality.

Eaa's

Can be produced by the body

Non-eaa's

Dogs: 18% for adult and 22% for pup
Cats: 26% adults and 30% for kittens

Protein requirements

Leads to formation of ammonia (toxic). Liver and kidneys convert ammonia to urea

Breakdown of amino acids

Threonine
Arginine Trytophan
Isoleucine
Valine
Lysine
Phenyalanine
Histidine
Leucine
Methionine
Taurine (cats)

Essential amino acids

Carbohydrates

Contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Support body functions
Thermoregulation
Fat storage

Use of cho

Monosaccharides- glucose, frutose, galactose
Disaccharides- maltose and lactose

Soluble CHO

Polysaccharides-starch,fiber. Used for weight control

Insoluble CHO

Fats

Most concentrated energy source. Triglycerides

Immunity
Thermoregulation
Maintenace of hair and coat
Protection of internal organs

Fats are used for

Saturated

Long carbon chains without double bond

Unsaturated

One or more double bonds

Linoleic acid (dogs, cats)
Linolenic acid (dogs)
Arachidonic acid (cats)

Essential fatty acids

Dogs- adults 5% and pup 8%
Cats- 9%adults and 9% kittens

Fat requirements

Growth
Lactation
Increased physical activity

Fat requirements occur during

Weight gain, diarrhea/const
Pancreatitis
Steatorrhea

Excess fat consumption can cause

Regulating digestion
Blood clotting
Immunity
Energy release

Vitamins are used for

Vitamin E

Primary antioxidant

Require preformed vitamin A, vitamin B- cannot convert the Trytophan to niacin

Cats

Water soluble

B vitamins and vitamin c. Not stored in the body. Deficiencies may occur with polyuria/polydipsia, diarrhea, GI disorders

Fat soluble

Vitamins A, D, E, and K. May reach toxic levels since they are stored in liver and body fat

Vitamin A
(RETINOL)

Important for immune function and bone reabsorption. From green leafy veggies. Toxicity results in hair loss, blurred vision

Vitamin D
(D2 Ergocalciferol, D3 Cholecalcirerol)

Homeostasis, bone mineralization, insulin synthesis, immunity. Deficiencies cause rickets. Toxic signs are nausea, weakness, irritability, jaundice.

Vitamin E
( Tocopherols)

Biological antioxidant, maintains integrity through free radical scavenging. Prevents gestation and sterility. Excessive amounts interfere with absorption of other fat soluble vitamins.

Vitamin K
( Phylioquinone, Menaquinone, Menadione)

Blood clotting and is co-factor in bone protein referred to as osteocalcin. Sources are green forages, seeds, good hay. Excessive amounts can lead to severe clotting disorders.

Vitamin C
(Asorbic acid)

Functions- enhancement of iron absorption, free radical scavenging, biological antioxidant. Synthesized by this liver. Primates and guinea pigs require addition in diets. Deficiencies results inscurvy, diarrhea, rough coat, alopecia. Very unstable when ad

Vitamin B1
(Thiamine)

Balance and maintenance of nervous system. Signs of deficiancy- anorexia, muscle weakness, paralysis. Found in raw whole grains. Toxicity signs include hypo tension, bradycardia, respiratory arrhythmia.

Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin)

Function is electron transport in oxidase and dehydrogenase enzymes which metabolize amino acids and cho's. Sources are milk, green forages, and good hay. Toxic effects are rare.

Vitamin B3
(Niacin)

Functions as a component of energy producing biochemical reactions. Deficiencies include anorexia, diarrhea, retarded growth, ulceration of soft palate, tongue, uncontrollable drooling. Most feeds contain niacin but supplementation is necessary. Toxic are

Vitamin B6
(Pyroxidine)

Functions to build proteins, metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Deficiencies signs include anorexia, retarded growth, weight loss, renal tubular atrophy with deposits of calcium oxalate in cats. Most feeds contain adequate amounts. Toxic

Vitamin B7
(Biotin)

Functions in CHO and fat metabolism. Deficiencies- hyperkaratosis, alopecia, dry secretions. Sources are raw egg white.

Vitamin B9
(Folic acid)

Functions in normal cell development, DNA synthesis. Deficiencies include anorexia, weight loss, leukopenia, hypocritical anemia. Sulfa drugs and antibiotics interfere with the synthesis of b9. Toxicities are rare.

Vitamin B12
(Cyanocobalamin)

Functions in the biomedical reactions promoting growth, reproduction, and blood formation. Most sources are commercial. Found in fish meals and dried milk products. Toxicities rarely occur but include GI upset

Pantothenic acid

Functions in protein/fat/CHO metabolism of TCA cycle. Deficiencies include emaciation, fatty liver, depressed growth. Lack of causes goose stepping in swine due to sciatic nerve damage.

Choline

Functions in transportation of fatty acids, as component membranes, and neurotransmitters. Deficiencies include fatty liver syndrome, thymus atrophy, decreased growth rate. No known toxicity exists.

Carnitine

Functions in transport of long chain fatty acids into mitochondria of the cell. Deficiencies include hyperlipemia, cardiomyopathy, and muscle asthenia. No known toxicity

Oxidation

Process of transferring electrons from one atom or molecule to another.

Mitochondrial energy production, inflammation, ischemia, pollution

Sources of free radicals

Heart
Kidney
Brain
Muscle

The highest production of free radicals occur in tissues which have high metabolism and high oxygenation such as:

Antioxidants

Substances that have the ability to scavenge ROS's, Oxidants and reduce them by inhibiting oxydation.

Vitamin E
Vitamin C
Carotenoids
Flavonoids
Phenolic acids
Selenium

Biologically active

Mixed Tocopherols
Ethoquin
BHA/BHT
Rosemaric acid

Food preservatives

Accumulated damage, cell injury and death, inactivation of critical proteins, enzymes and cell components, damage to DNA
More that 100 chronic diseases such as: cancer, arthritis, kidney disease

Diseases associated with ROS