Companion Animal Clinical Nutrition

Chapter 15 Pages 438-456

Please read pgs. 438-445

Stop at Nutrient Terms

J. Melendez/2008

Medical Terminology

• Nutrition• Nutrient• Clinical Nutrition• Digestible• Bioavailable• Depolymerize• Energy• Gluconeogenesis

• Cognitive• Obesity• Soluble• Antioxidant• Monosaccharide• Catabolism• Anabolism

Nutrition

• Nutrition is the science of the interaction of a nutrient with some part of a living organism to promote some kind of optimal performance and or function.

• It is the mechanical and chemical processes of digestion and absorption of ingested nutrients.

What does this mean to you?• It is your responsibility as

veterinary technicians to educate clients about proper nutrition, frequency of feedings, what brands of food are better than others, and discussing weight management regimens.

Nutritional Research

• Has greatly enhanced our understanding of what companion animals require in a balanced diet.

• Commercial diets are now formulated to help prevent nutritional deficiencies, boost the immune system, improve cognitive health, and help slow the aging process.

Nutritional Support

• In times of illness and injury, nutritional support is of great importance as the animal will be dependent upon you for it’s nutritional intake.

• Failure to recognize or address a patient’s metabolic needs may have negative consequences and may adversely affect patient outcome.

Terminology

• Nutrient: Is any constituent of food that is ingested to support life.

• Clinical Nutrition: is the application of nutrition pertaining to actual observations and treatment of patients.

• Digestible: the proportion of nutrients available for absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract.

• Bioavailable: the amount of a nutrient absorbed from the GI into the bloodstream in a form that the body can use.

Overview of Nutritional Objectives and Principals

• Our overall goal for companion animals is to maximize the length and quality of the animal’s life by reducing nutritional risk factors. We do this by feeding the proper food for each life stage requirement of the animal.

• Whereas in food animals, our main goal is to encourage weight gain rapidly and not necessarily focus on longevity.

Requirements for Maintenance

• Nutrients that prevent any loss or gain in body weight. These balanced nutrients provide the following:

1) Heat to maintain body temperature2) Energy for internal work (heart rate and

respiration)3) Energy for minimal movement4) Energy/nutrients for repair of body

tissues

Influences on Maintenance Requirements

• There are numerous influences on maintenance requirements. These influences are broken down into two categories:

»External Factors»Internal Factors

External Factors• Activity• Weather• Health• Stress

Internal Factors

• Body size: small toy breeds required a lower daily requirement than giant breeds

• Age: young animals consume more per unit of body weight and utilize nutrients more efficiently. Young animals require more vitamins, minerals, protein and energy and are more susceptible to nutritional deficiencies.

Continue: Internal Factors

• Temperament: nervous, active breeds have higher nutritional requirement.

• Productivity: the “couch potato” requires less than the working dog.

• Lactation: the animal’s requirements do not increase until late gestation (gestation lasts 59-63 days) animals should be fed maintenance levels during the first part of gestation. This will prevent un-required weight gain which can predispose them to dystocias (difficult to impossible deliveries) or musculoskeletal problems.

These are the Six basic classes of nutrients that are important for life sustenance.

Producing components

Non-energy producing

Energy Producing nutrients

• Carbohydrates: broken down into simple sugars

• Fats: broken down into triglycerides• Protein: broken down into amino

acids

Non-Energy Producing Nutrients

• Water• Vitamins• Minerals