Digestion & Metabolism I: Small Animal Micronutrients

Question 1

ultra trace elements, their range/amount needed, dog/cat relevance

Answer 1

what are they?
- molybdenum
- arsenic
- silicon
- nickel
- fluorine
- chromium

only needed in picograms, VERY narrow range or else excess causes toxicity

NOT REQUIRED IN DOGS/CATS

Question 2

vitamin K

Answer 2

function = to act as a cofactor in the liver to help with synthesis of blood clotting

dogs/cats
NOT required because it’s synthesized by bacteria in their intestines

if deficient, abnormal clotting time

Question 3

thiamin (list alternate name)

Answer 3

AKA VITAMIN B1

INACTIVATED by HEAT and THIAMINASE in foods

in animals with high water turnover, more likely to get kidney disease and LOW THIAMIN

NECK VENTROFLEXION is a common sign of thiamin deficiency

TREATMENT = VITAMIN B COMPLEX ADMINISTRATION

Question 4

cobalamin (list alternate name)

Answer 4

AKA VITAMIN B12

Absorption ONLY OCCURS IN ILEAL MUCOSA

Requires INTRINSIC FACTOR to be ACTIVATED
- from pancreas in DOGS/CATS
- from gastric mucosa of ileum in OTHER MAMMALS

If issue with pancreas or ileum, causes B12 deficiency

Question 5

calcium

Answer 5

MACROMINERAL

If DEFICIENT, then abnormal bone growth

NOT present in large quantities because EFFICIENTLY ABSORBED

If IN EXCESS, then CHANGES IN METABOLISM = CHANGES IN CARTILAGE = ORTHOPEDIC DISEASE

Question 6

Zinc

Answer 6

MICROMINERAL

In mucosa/skin/mucocutaneous junctions where rapid turnover of cells, can more easily see ZINC DEFICIENCY

Often used in HOMEMADE DIETS and used INAPPROPRIATELY

Question 7

Notable micronutrients that are TOXIC if consumed in EXCESS

Answer 7

Vitamin D, A, E, Calcium

D/A = in excess if too much LIVER given

E = if too much, then CANNOT METABOLIZE VITAMIN K and ABNORMAL CLOTTING TIME

Calcium = causes orthopedic disease

Question 8

Vitamin A TOXICITY in dogs/cats

Answer 8

if overfeeding with LIVER, then CAN CAUSE TOO MUCH VITAMIN A and cause PERIOSTEAL BONE DEPOSITION along AXIAL skeleton

Question 9

Vitamin A IN CATS

Answer 9

Cats are OBLIGATE CARNIVORES

No longer has pathway to convert beta-carotene in fruits/veggies to active form of vitamin A

Vitamin A naturally found in animal tissues, can be supplemented, so THIS IS WHERE CATS GET IT FROM

Question 10

3 micronutrients MOST IMPORTANT TO CATS

Answer 10

1. Vitamin A
2. Pyridoxine (B6)
3. Niacin (B vitamin)

Question 11

Pyridoxine (alternate name)

Answer 11

AKA VITAMIN B6

Cats have a HIGHER requirement for this than other mammals

Important cofactor for TRANSAMINASE ENZYMES in the liver

Question 12

Niacin (alternate name)

Answer 12

general B vitamin

CATS CANNOT GENERATE ENOUGH NIACIN FROM TRYPTOPHAN TO MEET NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS, unlike other mammals

Question 13

Micronutrients of rare clinical relevance

Answer 13

1. Riboflavin
2. Copper
3. Manganese
4. Cobalt
5. Ultra trace elements
6. Vitamin C

Question 14

Copper deficiency

Answer 14

Cause?
- Pet food incorrect formulation
- Nutrients not readily bioavailable

What happens?
- Copper is a cofactor for melanin synthesis, so if not enough then see pigment change!