Nutritional Diseases

4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu

Objectives

Discuss the importance of water in the animal diet Discuss the need for energy in the animal diet Discuss the importance of minerals in animal diets Discuss the importance of vitamins in animal diets Describe the signs of protein deficiency Describe the signs of a phosphorus deficiency Describe the signs and causes of grass tetany Describe the signs and causes of milk fever Describe the signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies Give examples of nutritional diseases in cats, cattle and horses Discuss conditions that create increased nutritional needs

Nutrition is important Health maintenance Energy

Affects all animals

If improper nutrition Recognize changes

Appearance Behavior

Identify cause Correct problem

Diet The usual food and drink of a person or animal

Nutrient A source of nourishment

Diets are comprised of nutrients Proteins Carbohydrates Fats Minerals Vitamins Water

Depends on Animal Activity

Add Additional Nutrients

Cold weather Parasite infestations Reduced appetite

Chronic disease Pregnancy or milk production

Undernourished animals

Improperly fed

Symptoms Changes in body weight

Low Thin appearance

Hair coat Dull and rough

Activity Weak and depressed

Requirements for Proper Nutrition

Water Energy Minerals Vitamins

Water

Essential 60% makeup Continually lost Constantly replenish Maintain homeostasis

60% balance

Water requirements Digestive process

Ruminants Physiological development

Milk production Diet

Supplements

Problems Dehydration

Excessive loss of water from the body or from an organ or body part, as from illness or fluid deprivation

Due to Diarrhea Kidney diseases Sick

Refusal to drink

Solution Re-hydration

IV fluids Stomach tube

Energy

Function Growth Body movement

Found in Proteins Carbohydrates Fats

How supplies Metabolic breakdown of diet Fat deposits

Normal conditions Roughage (producers)

Good quality

Working animals Supplement

Protein

Careful with overfeeding protein to pregnant animals

Minerals

Definition Any of the inorganic elements, as calcium,

iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods

Some minerals Calcium

Bone structure Cell performance

Muscle contraction Blood clotting

Phosphorus Organ structure Nutrient transport Energy utilization

Iron Necessary for the transport of oxygen (via hemoglobin

in red blood cells) and for oxidation by cells (via cytochrome)

Anemia

Copper

Magnesium Muscle cramps Constipation

Potassium Critical for the normal functioning of the

muscles, heart, and nerves Controlling activity

Smooth muscle (digestive tract) Skeletal muscle Cardiac muscle Transmission of electrical signals throughout the

nervous system

Normal conditions Good pastures

Fertilized

Problems Drought Non-fertilized fields

Correct Supplements

Dogs and cats Commercial foods balanced All meat diets

Need supplementation

Vitamins

Function Proper cell function

Source Body produces Supplements

Found in roughage Vitamins A,D and E

Produced by Ruminants

Vitamins B C K

Skin – sunlight exposure Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency (rickets)

Examples of Nutritional Diseases and Disorders Protein Deficiency

Without enough protein Problem

Underweight Weak

Symptoms Swelling under

Throat Brisket area Underline

Fluid balance is upset

Phosphorus Deficiency Good pastures and feeds ok Problems with unfertilized pastures Symptoms

Unthrifty Lame Stiff Pica

Compulsive eating of non-nutritive substances

Grass tetany Aka Grass Staggers Magnesium deficiency

Problem Grazing lush grass Low Mg, High K, N

Interferes with absorption in digestive tract

Symptoms Excitability Inability to stand Stiff muscle convulsions Death

Treatment Mg injection

Prevention Have supplements available

Milk Fever Low blood calcium Hypocalcemia

Symptoms Loss of appetite Depression Muscle tremors Grinding teeth Muscular paralysis

Lies on sternum Head to side

Possible death

Treatment Calcium injection

Also occurs in dogs and horses Trembling Panting Nervousness Convulsions Death

Vitamin A deficiency Source

Commercial feeds Green pasture Good hay

Problems Skin and eye problems Abortions Retained placentas Weak newborns Night blindness

Correction Supplement Good quality hay

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism High phosphorus, low calcium diets

Affects Livestock on high-bran diets

No supplements or hay Pets

All meat diets No supplements

Symptoms Horses

Bones thicken Head Face

Pets Bones

Weak Flexible

Taurine deficiency Cats Amino acid Symptoms

Eye problems Blindness

Weakening heart muscle

Problem Cats eating dog food

Bloat in Cattle Rumen produces gases

Cattle eructate (belch)

Types Frothy bloat Free-gas bloat

Problem Can’t belch

Treatment Passing tube Abdominal wall puncture Drugs

Colic in Horses Intestinal problem

Occurs when Change in diet Intestinal disease Lodged material

Symptoms Obvious pain Rolling Kicking Profuse sweating

Treatment Laxatives Walking Surgery

Founder (laminitis) Problem

Improper feeding Overfeeding of grain

Bacterial toxins Affects hoof wall

Causes Hoof

Inflammation Pain Lameness

Depression Loss of appetite Slow, painful walk

Treatment Horses

Laxatives Cattle

Flush feed from rumen Large stomach tube Surgery