Lecture 4 (Nutritional Assessment and Energy Calculations)

-assess the patient → body condition score (BCS); muscle condition score (MCS)

-assess the diet → diet history

-assess the feeding management → diet and management history

what are the 3 components of the nutrition assessment?

-set scales to read in kg → or divide weight in pounds by 2.2

-use baby scales for cats and small dogs

-record BW at every visit and recheck → if hospitalized, weigh patient daily to monitor trends in weight and hydration

how do you calculate the body weight in a patient?

-dogs: 4/9 or 5/9

-cats: 5/9

*BCS not validated for growing puppies and kittens

what is the ideal BCS for dogs and cats?

30 kg / 1.2 = 25 kg

a dog weights 30 kg and has a BCS 0f 7/9...what is the target BW?

3.5 kg / 0.7 = 5 kg

a cat weighs 3.5 kg and has a BCS of 2/9...what is the target BW?

-MCS is a subjective evaluation/measurement of body muscle mass

-normal (3/3)
-mild muscle loss (2/3)
-moderate muscle loss (1/3)
-severe muscle loss (0/3)

-MCS used to identify and measure cachexia and sarcopenia

how do you identify muscle condition score?

-start with open-ended questions → describe ... walk me through ..

-then clarify with more close-ended questions as needed

how do you take a diet history?

RER = BWkg^0.75 x 70

*units are kcal/day

how do you calculate a resting energy requirement (RER)?

RER = 4.09kg^0.75 x 70 = 201.36 kcal/day

calculate RER for a 9 lb. adult cat with a BCS of 5/9 and normal MCS

RER = 20kg^0.75 x 70 = 662 kcal/day

calculate RER for a 20 kg adult dog with a BCS of 5/9 and normal MCS

MER = RER x life stage factor

how do you calculate a maintenance energy requirement (MER)?

1.4-1.6

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, neutered dog?

1.2-1.4

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, neutered cat?

1.6-1.8

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, intact dog?

1.4-1.6

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, intact cat?

1.0-1.2

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, inactive dog?

1.0

what is the lifestage factor for an adult, inactive cat?

-< 4 months: 3.0
-> 4 months: 2.5

what is the lifestage factor for growth in a dog?

2.5

what is the lifestage factor for growth in a cat?

-moderate: 2.0-5.0
-heavy: 5.0-11.0

what is the lifestage factor for work in a dog?

RER = 27.27kg^0.75 x 70 = 835.4 kcal/day

MER = 835.4 kcal/day x 1.4 = 1,169 kcal/day

calculate MER for this dog:
-SF, 4 y.o. Golden Retriever
-BW 60 lb.
-BCS 5/9
-MCS normal
-moderately active, runs and plays outdoors at least 1 hour per day

RER = 5kg^0.75 x 70 = 234 kcal/day

MER = 234 kcal/day x 1.0 = 234 kcal/day

calculate MER for this cat:
-MN, 8 y.o. Domestic Shorthair
-BW 11 lb.
-BCS 5/9
-MCS normal
-indoors only, sleeps most of day

RER = 3.0kg^0.75 x 70 = 150.57 kcal/day

MER = 150.57 kcal/day x 2.5 = 398.9 kcal/day

calculate MER for this puppy:
-intact male, 3 m.o. Boston Terrier
-BW 3.0 kg
-BCS 5/9
-MCS normal
-active, playful

3.5 kcal/gram

what is the kcal/gram used for protein in the modified Atwater formula?

8.5 kcal/gram

what is the kcal/gram used for fat in the modified Atwater formula?

3.5 kcal/gram

what is the kcal/gram used for carbohydrate in the modified Atwater formula?