L118/119: malnutrition

what are 3 simple steps to evaluating you pets BCS?

evaluate ribs, waist, and abdomen

what BCS scale is used in dairy cattle?

1-5

what BCS scale is used in beef cattle?

1-9

what BCS scale is used in sheep and goats?

1-5

what BCS scale is used in dogs and cats?

1-5 or 1-9

malnutrition

Inadequate intake of any of the required nutrients

what is important to understand about malnutrition?

can occur in both underweight and overweight patients

deficiency

lack of specific nutrients

undernutrition

insufficient caloric intake

what are characteristics of a BCS of 1/9 in a dog?

1. ribs and bones visible

2. severe abdominal tuck

3. obvious loss of muscle mass

what are characteristics of a BCS of 2/9 in a dog?

1. ribs and bones easily palpable

2. pronounced abdominal tuck

3. minimal loss of muscle mass

what are characteristics of a BCS of 3/9 in a dog?

1. lean

2. ribs easily palpable

3. small amount of fat over spine and ribs

how does malnutrition impact metabolism?

1. energy deficiency

2. hormonal imbalance

3. reduced immune function

what is the impact of malnutrition on growth and development?

1. stunted growth (young animals)

2. delayed healing

what is the impact of malnutrition on reproductive health?

1. infertility or reduced

2. pregnancy complications

3. poor lactation

4. reduced libido

5. lower sperm quality

6. delayed testicular development

what deficiency will weaken heart contractions?

protein and energy

what mineral deficiencies will reduce blood pressure?

1. phosphorous

2. calcium

3. magnesium

what mineral deficiency can lead to impaired nerve signaling and cognitive function?

vitamin B deficiencies

what mineral deficiency can impair liver function?

selenium and copper

what deficiencies can cause diarrhea?

zinc and vitamin A

what body condition score is considered overweight in dogs and cats?

more than 5/9 or 3/5

what body condition score is considered obese in dogs and cats?

more than 7/9 or 4/5

what are characteristics of a BCS of 6/9 in a dog?

1. ribs palpable with slight fat cover

2. losing abdominal tuck

what are characteristics of a BCS of 7/9 in a dog?

1. difficulty palpating ribs

2. abdominal tuck absent

what are characteristics of a BCS of 8/9 in a dog?

1. unable to palpate the ribs

2. absent waist

3. fat deposits over lumbar/base of tail

what are characteristics of a BCS of 9/9 in a dog?

extensive fat covering over entire body

obese cats are how much more likely to develop diabetes compared to healthy cats?

4 times more

what is a key symptom of feline urinary tract disease?

cats going potty outside the litter box

how can being overweight affect the urinary tract?

1. UTIs

2. feline urinary tract disease

what are complications in the clinic from an overweight/obese patient?

1. medications

2. anesthesia = higher risk

3. fluid administration more monitored

what are non-controlled risk factors of overweight/obesity in animals?

1. genetics/breed

2. age

3. neuter status

what percentage of the body weight do we want to have the animal lose per week when they are overweight/obese?

1-2%

what parts on the cow are palpated to assess BCS?

1. ribs and short ribs

2. tail head

3. pins

4. hooks

what parts on the horse are palpated to assess BCS?

1. crest of neck

2. withers

3. behind shoulder

4. ribs

5. loin/croup

6. tail head

what parts of the goat are palpated to assess BCS?

lumbar vertebral region

what characteristics are seen on a 1/5 BCS on a goat?

1. spine prominent and sharp

2. transverse process sharp

3. no fat cover

what characteristics are seen on a 2/5 BCS on a goat?

1. spine prominent and smooth

2. thin fat cover

3. transverse process rounded

what characteristics are seen on a 3/5 BCS on a goat?

1. spine rounded and smooth

2. transverse process smooth and rounded

3. moderate fat coverage

what characteristics are seen on a 4/5 BCS on a goat?

1. spine detected only as a line

2. transverse process cannot be felt

what characteristics are seen on a 5/5 BCS on a goat?

1. spine not detectable; fat dimples over spine

2. transverse process not detectable

what is the desired BCS for ewe in maintenance?

1.5-2

what is the desired BCS for ewe in breeding?

2-2.5

what is the desired BCS for ewe in early gestation?

2-2.5

what is the desired BCS for ewe in late gestation?

2.5-3

what is the desired BCS for ewe in early lactation?

3-3.5

what is the desired BCS for ewe in late lactation?

2-2.5

how much do we add to target BCS for females expecting or nursing twins?

add 0.5

what change in body weight is normally required to change th eBCS by 1 unit?

10-12%

what malnutritional related problems are associated with overfed ewes?

1. dystocia

2. pregnancy toxemia

3. uterine prolapse

4. reduced fertility

5. poor udder development

6. rumen acidosis

what malnutritional issues are associated with underfed ewes?

1. pregnancy toxemia

2. thin ewes

3. poor placenta

4. poor quality and quantity of colostrum

5. high lamb and ewe mortality

6. low milk yield

what are the problems associated with thin BCS (1-4) in beef cattle?

1. failure to cycle

2. failure to conceive

3. increased calving interval

4. increased days to estrus

5. decreased calf vigor

what problems are associated with fat condition BCS (8-9) in beef cattle?

1. costly to maintain

2. increased dyscotia

3. impaired mobility

4. failure to cycle

5. failure to conceive

what issues are associated with high BCS in breeding females?

1. reduced ovulation

2. reduce fertility

3. reduced conception rates

4. increased risk of dyscotia

5. high culling rates

6. increased bone issues

what issues are associated with low BCS in breeding females?

1. late sexual maturity

2. irregular estrus cycles

3. reduced ability to maintain pregnancy

what issues are associated with high BCS in breeding males?

1. reduced semen quality

2. lower libido

3. increased health issues

4. lameness

5. increased culling rates

6. decreased stamina

what issues are associated with low BCS in breeding males?

1. delayed sexual maturity

2. decreased semen production and quality

3. reduced libido

4. limited genetic improvements in herd

cachexia

loss of muscle mass associated with disease

sarcopenia

loss of muscle mass associated with aging in the absence of disease

dysrexia

altered food intake

hyporexia

decreased food intake