Nutrition

Question 1

what is a balanced diet?

Answer 1

maintaining metabolic equilibrium providing key nutrients and energy

Question 2

what are some factors of excessive consumption of carbohydrates?

Answer 2

• obesity
• irregular bowel movements (diarrhoea)

Question 3

what are some factors of excessive consumption of protein?

Answer 3

• may speed growth
• may be detrimental to the health of older animals

Question 4

what are some factors of excessive consumption of fat?

Answer 4

• obesity
• pansteatitis
• hepatic dysfunction

Question 5

what are some factors of inadequate consumption of carbohydrates?

Answer 5

• protein will be used for energy and therefore wont be used for tissue repair and growth
• lack of energy
• irregular bowel movements (constipation)

Question 6

what are some factors of inadequate consumption of protein?

Answer 6

• poor growth or weight loss
• dull hair coat
• muscle atrophy
• anaemia
• increased susceptibility of disease

Question 7

what are some factors of inadequate consumption of fat?

Answer 7

• fatty acid deficiency
• lack of energy
• poor growth
• poor skin condition

Question 8

what is vitamin B?

Answer 8

• includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin
• water soluble
• important for energy production and nervous system function

Question 9

what is vitamin c?

Answer 9

• dogs and cats synthesis vitamin c in the liver
• absorbed by passive diffusion
• antioxidant
• plays a part in the immune system and drug metabolism

Question 10

what is vitamin d?

Answer 10

• essential for calcium/phosphorus ratio
• helps to protect against the loss of these from bones
• deficiency of this is poor bone mineralisation
• excessive amounts show hypercalcaemia and renal failure

Question 11

what is vitamin e?

Answer 11

• fat soluble
• only produced in plants
• absorption enhanced by the simultaneous absorption of fat
• antioxidant
• deficiency of this shows degenerative skeletal muscle disease
• excessive amounts could impair the absorption of other fat soluble vitamins with associated issue

Question 12

what is a resting energy requirement?

Answer 12

energy required to maintain homeostasis while animal is resting

Question 13

what is the RER calculation for all animals?

Answer 13

70 x (BW)0.75

Question 14

what is MER?

Answer 14

• maintenance energy requirement
• energy needed for moderate activity in thermoneutral environment

Question 15

How many kcal per 100g bodyweight daily do kittens and puppies need (pre-weaning)?

Answer 15

13-18 kcal

Question 16

what RER should puppies be on in the juvenile period?

Answer 16

3 X RER under 4 months and then 2 x RER until adult weight

Question 17

what RER should kittens be on in the juvenile period?

Answer 17

2.5 x RER until adult weight

Question 18

what is the RER requirements for an entire dog?

Answer 18

1.8 x RER

Question 19

what is the RER requirements for a neutered dog?

Answer 19

1.6 x RER

Question 20

what is the RER requirements for an entire cat?

Answer 20

1.4-1.6 x RER

Question 21

what is the RER requirements for an neutered cat?

Answer 21

1.2-1.4 x RER

Question 22

what should the RER be for a pregnant bitch in her last third?

Answer 22

3 x RER

Question 23

what is cachexia?

Answer 23

muscle wastage due to disease

Question 24

what is glucosamine?

Answer 24

• nutrient recommended for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis problems in large sized dogs, dogs active in sports or ageing cats and dogs

Question 25

what is one of the main substances involved in the elaboration of joint cartilage?

Answer 25

glucosamine

Question 26

what is chondroitin?

Answer 26

- works in synergy with glucosamine and helps prevent and treat osteoarthritis problems

Question 27

what is an essential ingredient in cartilage?

Answer 27

chondroitin

Question 28

what is the main action of chondroitin?

Answer 28

inhibiting the effect of the enzymes that cause the permanent destruction of cartilage

Question 29

what are fatty acids?

Answer 29

- omega 6 and omega 3 - cannot be produced so must be supplemented

Question 30

what is SAMe s-adenosylmethionine?

Answer 30

- bioactive form of methionine which is an essential amino acid nutrient that is found abundantly in foods

Question 31

what are SAMe used for?

Answer 31

- used in the body for brain, heart, hormone, antioxidant, detoxifying and other metabolic functions

Question 32

what is coenzyme Q10?

Answer 32

- essential component of the mitochondria in cells - supplemental therapy for heart and neurological conditions - functions as an antioxidant

Question 33

what is a probiotic?

Answer 33

- living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host

Question 34

what is a prebiotic?

Answer 34

- non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activities of specific bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and exert beneficial effects on the host

Question 35

what is an antioxidant?

Answer 35

Any compound, whether vitamin, mineral, nutraceutical or herb that protects against cellular damage from reactive oxygen species, including free radicals, single oxygen atoms and hydrogen peroxide.