small animal nutrition

the 5th vital assessment states that every patient should be assessed for…

temperature, pulse, respiration, pain, nutrition (or lack of)

in what year did AAHA publish its guidelines on nutrition & nutritional assessment?

2010

a key to planning an animal’s nutrition is assessing the patient’s…

history, diagnostic results, BCS, current diet & activity

what does MER stand for?

metabolic energy requirement

how is MER calculated?

multiplying specific constant numbers by the animal’s RER

formula for a kitten’s MER

2.5 x RER in kcal/day

formula for an adult cat’s MER

1.2 x RER in kcal/day

formula for MER of a cat prone to obesity

0.8 x RER in kcal/day

formula for a puppy’s MER

3 x RER in kcal/day

formula for an adult dog’s MER

1.6 x RER in kcal/day

formula for MER of a dog prone to obesity

1 x RER in kcal/day

working dogs have a higher MER because…

they work very hard & are exerting much more energy

what does RER stand for?

resting energy requirement

formula for RER

70(BW[kg])^.75

if animal is 2kg - 45kg (4.4lbs - 99lbs) what formula can be used to find their RER?

30(BW[kg]) + 70

how many nutrients have been deemed necessary for cats?

43

how many nutrients have been deemed necessary for dogs?

36

required information for an approved food

product name

manufacturer name & telephone number

statement of intent

net weight of bag/can

ingredient statement

guaranteed analysis

nutritional adequacy statement

feeding guidelines

if ingredients start with “chicken, beef…”

food must be 95% of the ingredient in the food

if food label says “with chicken” or “with beef”…

only 3% of the ingredient in the food

if food label says seafood “dinner”, “entree”, or “platter”…

25% of the material in the food

if food label says “flavor”…

ingredient can be in any amount, from substantial to less than 1%

routes to administer food to a hospitalized patient

enteral, parenteral (system circulation; food formula through vein), oral

DMB (dry matter basis)

every nutrient except water

how to figure DMB (% of the nutrient on DMB)?

subtract water content, then divide that number into the % of the nutrient “as fed”

DMB can be used to…

compare 1 food to another without worrying whether it’s canned or dry

basic categories of nutrients

water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats/lipids, minerals, vitamins

ash

refers to the sum of the mineral elements of the food

how many minerals do mammals require in food?

18

minerals

any inorganic element in food

macro minerals

calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur

micro minerals

iron, zinc, copper

are meat derived or plant derived minerals more useful?

meat derived minerals

metal oxides are…

not very digestible

criteria of vitamins

organic material but not fat, protein, carb

component of dietary material

essential for normal physiology

absence causes deficiency syndrome

can’t be produced by body in sufficient quantities

excess of what can be as bad as insufficiency?

vitamins

some vitamins are used as…

treatment

in 2012, AVMA recommended against…

feeding raw protein diets

why are raw protein diets advised against?

palatibility

PPN (partial parenteral nutrition); prescription medicine used to provide body with amino acids as a protein source, essential minerals, & glycerin for energy

TPN (total parenteral nutrition)

mixture of separate components which contain lipid emulsions, dextrose, amino acids, vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, & trace elements

food eversion

avoidant of food; makes them feel sick

time restricted feedings helps avoid…

feelings of food eversion

consistency of food formula is specialized depending…

on where the tube is placed

when using tubes, what is used to support nutritional restoration & convalescence of dogs & cats requiring assisted enteral nutrition?

complete & balanced liquid diet

water is needed for…

hydrolysis reactions, regulating core temp, giving tissue shape, & resilience

dogs need more carbs than cats because…

cats have higher protein & fat needs, as they do not use carbs for energy

essential amino acids cannot be manufactured by the animal, so…

they must be supplemented & present in the diet

what do proteins function as?

enzymes, hormones, & antibodies

taurine

exclusively found in animal-based proteins; critical for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy & fetal development, & to maintain a healthy immune system

taurine is especially essential in cats because…

they cannot make it on their own, while dogs can get it from the protein that they eat

what do fats/lipids act as?

lubricant for joints & omega 3 fatty acids provide anti-inflammatory properties