key nutritional factors - protrain.hs.llnwd.netnot all dogs and cats that appear healthy are free of...

Key nutritional factors

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Contents

1 Key nutritional factors

1.1 In healthy pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.2 In sick pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.3 Risk factor management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 Some key nutritional factors in clinical nutrition

2.1 Protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.1.1 Too much protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.1.2 Too little protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.2 Fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.2.1 Too much fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.2.2 Too little fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.3 Calcium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.3.1 Too much calcium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.3.2 Too little calcium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

2.4 Phosphorous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.5 Sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.6 Magnesium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.7 Copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

• Summary of key points

• Self-assessment questions

• Building your portfolio

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By the end of this module, you should be able to:• summarise and explain the key nutritional factors in small animal nutrition.

Learning outcomesLp22623_gg_hill's_2011_vna_mas_chapter_6_VNA 2005 Master 05/12/2011 09:22

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Key nutritional factors

1.1 In healthypets

Over time, the public has becomemore aware of the importance ofnutrition to health. There is a growingrecognition that food can helpprevent disease processes such as:

• coronary heart disease

• hypertension

• obesity

• diabetes mellitus

• cancer.

This increased recognition of the intimate relationship between maintaininghealth and nutrition has led to the development of the full range of highquality Hill’s products for healthy animals (See Chapter 7).

1.2 In sick petsApart from the role that nutrition plays in helping healthy cats and dogs lead longer, happier lives, nutrition also plays a very important role in themanagement of sick animals.

Every disease needs specific nutritional management. This can include anumber of factors:

• higher content of specific nutrients e.g. zinc or fibre

• reduction of acute or chronic acidosis

• maintenance of a specific urinary pH range

• structured kibble texture

• increased digestibility

• avoidance of certain protein sources.

The tailored nutrition for specific diseases is called Clinical Nutrition.

1Interesting fact

In the 1988 ‘Surgeon General’sReport on Nutrition and Health’, itwas noted that: ‘For the two outof three adult Americans who donot smoke and do not drinkexcessively one personal choiceseems to influence long-termhealth prospects more than anyother: what we eat’.

Let your client know

When food is formulated correctly,it not only helps prevent disease,but it can also help:

• improve life quality byalleviating signs and symptoms

• lengthen life expectancy by slowing down disease processes.


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1.3 Risk factor managementNutritional risk factors have recently been identified for people.

Examples:

1. excessive intake of saturated fat is linked to cardiovascular disease

2. excessive intake of sodium chloride increases the risk of hypertension.

Examples of nutritional risk factors in pets are:

1. excess phosphorus intake increases the progression of renal disease(including subclinical disease!)

2. excessive intake of energy and calcium increases the risk of developmentalorthopaedic disease in large- and giant-breed puppies.

In order to maintain the best possible health in the pet, it is important todetect and manage any health risk factors. In human medicine, a physicianwill want to take into account the patients age, sex, weight, lifestyle andfamily history in order to provide good healthcare. Examples of what a doctormight consider health risk factors would be if the patient:

• spends more than 8 hours a day in front of the TV

• is 5% overweight

• eats a high percentage of fast food

• has a family history of heart disease.

Vets look at pet health in a similar way and would look at factors such as theage, breed, diet and lifestyle of the pet. For example, a client may bring in apet that:

• is four months old

• is a golden retriever

• is 10% overweight

• lives in a high-rise apartment without a lift.

It would be crucial for this dog to have the right nutritional advice – otherwise,this could be a recipe for illness.

The risk of disease increases with age, but even young animals may developillnesses that must be addressed. The table on the following page shows the disease prevalence for dogs and cats examined in North AmericanVeterinary practices.

See table below for more examples of potential risk factors for dogs and cats:

NUTRIENT DISEASE

Excessive fat and energy intake

Excessive calcium intake

Excessive phosphorus intake

Excessive sodium chloride intake

Excessive protein intake

Excessive magnesium intake

Developmental orthopedic disease

Obesity

Developmental orthopedic disease

Progression of renal disease

Progression of renal disease

Hypertension

More serious symptoms of renal disease

Feline struvite urolithiasis


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Each and every one of these diseases will do better with the proper clinicalnutrition. Correct clinical nutrition takes into account all the different factors ina disease and is designed especially to combat these.

Disease prevalence by age for dogs and cats examined in North American veterinary practices. 1995 National Companion Animal Study,Center for Companion Animal Health, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN and Mark Morris Institute, Topeka, KS.

DOGS

0 to 7 Years (n=24,165) 7 to 10 Years (n=6,699) 10 to 25 Years (n=8,692)

Healthy (32.4%) Healthy (15.0%) Oral disease (13.6%)

Oral disease (5.8%) Oral disease (13.7%) Healthy (6.9%)

Otitis externa (5.8%) Otitis externa (5.8%) Nuclear sclerosis (3.1%)

Dermatopathy (3.6%) Dermatopathy (3.2%) Arthritis (3.0%)

Lameness (1.3%) Tumour (2.0%) Tumour (2.8%)

Roundworms (1.2%) Lipoma (1.9%) Otitis externa (2.7%)

Conjunctivitis (1.2%) Conjunctivitis (1.2%) Cardiac murmur (2.4%)

Fleas (1.1%) Arthritis (1.2%) Lipoma (2.3%)

Laceration (1.0%) Anal sac disease (1.2%) Cataract (2.2%)

Anal sac disease (1.0%) Lameness (1.1%) Dermatopathy (1.5%)

CATS

0 to 7 Years (n=9,148) 7 to 10 Years (n=1,795) 10 to 25 Years (n=2,981)

Healthy (34.2%) Oral disease (20.1%) Oral disease (19.5%)

Oral disease (9.9%) Healthy (18.9%) Healthy (11.9%)

Ear mites (4.4%) Cat bite abscess (2.5%) Chronic renal failure (2.4%)

Fleas (2.7%) Dermatopathy (2.3%) Weight loss (2.0%)

Cat bite abscess (2.6%) Obesity (1.6%) Cardiac murmur (1.8%)

Upper respiratory infection (2.2%) Fleas (1.5%) Hyperthyroidism (1.8%)

Tapeworms (2.0%) Animal bites (1.5%) Tumour (1.7%)

Conjunctivitis (1.7%) Ear mites (1.4%) Diabetes mellitus (1.4%)

Roundworms (1.4%) Upper respiratory infection (1.3%) Cat bite abscess (1.4%)

Dermatopathy (1.3%) Vomiting (1.3%) Vomiting (1.3%)


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Some key nutritionalfactors in clinical nutrition

In order to minimise the risk of disease, Hill’s has developed a set of keynutritional factors (KNF) that should be taken into account in the day-to-dayfeeding of both healthy and sick animals. These KNFs address the mostcommon risk factors for developing ailments in dogs and cats, which mayvary by age.

2Definition

Malnutrition is defined as anydisorder that results from eitherinadequate or unbalancednutrition. The most common formof malnutrition in dogs and cats isconsumption of excessive levels offat and energy, leading to obesity.


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The concept of focusing on a few key nutrients is very appropriate for catsand dogs that are fed commercial pet foods.

These pet foods usually meet the minimum requirements for all nutrients butmay suffer from nutrient excess.

Some of the nutrients that are thought of as key nutritional factors are:

7COPPER

SODIUM

PROTEIN

FAT

CALCIUM

PHOSPHORUSMAGNESIUM


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Normal Renal Function Renal Insufficiency


Some pet food companies haveperpetuated the myth that dogsare carnivores. They claim thatmeat-based, high-protein foodsare more natural, and thereforebetter than lower protein foodsthat contain both animal andplant sources of protein.

Another fallacy is that high levelsof dietary protein build moremuscle or a thicker coat, and thishas contributed to pet owners’mistaken perception that higherprotein is a sign of a higher qualitypet food. This is not the case.Superior nutrition avoids an excessof protein.

2.1.2 Too little proteinThere are conditions where pets need additional protein, such as:

• growth

• severe infection

• burns

• liver disease.

2.1 Protein

2.1.1 Too much proteinToo much dietary protein can be a problem for dogs and cats with specificdisease conditions. These include:

• impaired renal function

• uroliths

• adverse food reactions

• fear-related territorial aggression in dogs.

Not all dogs and cats that appear healthy are free of disease. Dogs and catswith chronic renal disease are usually subclinical until the disease hasprogressed to the point that two-thirds or more of functional renal tissue islost. Renal disease is also the second most common cause of non-accidentaldeath in dogs and cats. This means that a significant number of apparentlyhealthy dogs and cats will have sub clinical renal disease! Feeding a diet withan excess of protein, and therefore usually with an excess of phosphorus, may

contribute to the progression of renal disease and its symptoms. As a result,the pet develops clinical symptoms earlier than it would have done if it

were fed a diet with a more appropriate protein level.

Therefore, Hill’s recommendsa balanced protein level,especially for ‘at risk’ animalsand senior dogs and cats.

Definition

Sub clinical: a disease is presentin a dog or cat but the petdisplays no obvious symptoms.


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To prevent obesity, it is importantto feed a diet with a lower fatcontent and a higher fibrecontent. The higher fibre contentwill increase satiety, so the petdoes not experience hunger.

Canine paw with skin infection.

2.2 Fat

2.2.1 Too much fatWhen a pet has an increased intake of fat, they will also have an increasedintake of energy. This may predispose growing large and giant-breed puppiesto developmental orthopaedic disease and adult pets to obesity. Optimalskeletal development is more likely to occur if growth is slowed by reducingthe fat and energy intake of these puppies. Obesity is the most significantclinical problem associated with malnutrition in adult dogs and cats. 25–50%of dogs and cats in the UK are above their ideal weight for their breed, ageand sex.

Risk factors for obesity include:

• middle age

• female gender

• neutering

• certain breeds

• lack of exercise

• feeding foods high in fat and energy.

Obesity prevention is an important goal in feeding adult dogs and cats, andshould be aggressively pursued in dogs and cats with multiple risk factors.

2.2.2 Too little fatDeficiencies of fatty acids:

• impair wound healing

• cause a dry lustreless coat and scaly skin

• may predispose the pet to pyoderma (skin infection)

• may result in alopecia (loss of hair)

• may cause oedema

• may cause moist dermatitis (superficial skin infection).

Deficiencies of fatty acids are most commonly seen with homemade foods.

Renal Failure Advanced Renal Failure


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2.3 CalciumDeficiencies and excesses of calcium as well as calcium-phosphorusimbalances, should be avoided in dogs and cats.

2.3.1 Too much calciumCalcium excess is especially detrimental in rapidly growing pets, especially inlarge and giant-breed puppies. Specific factors that are thought to increasethe risk of developmental orthopaedic disorders include:

• belonging to a large or giant-breed

• free-choice feeding

• feeding high-energy foods

• excessive calcium intake from food, treats and supplements.

2.3.2 Too little calciumCalcium deficiency occurs most commonly when feeding foods that are highin phosphorus (high in meat and offal).

2.4 PhosphorusIn general, meat tissue (poultry, lamb, fish, beef) is high in phosphorus and soare eggs and milk products. Therefore, a high phosphorus content in the foodwill often be present when the food has a high protein content.

Littermate Great Dane puppiesfed two different levels ofdietary calcium. The puppy ontop was fed a growth foodcontaining 1.1% calcium (DMB).The puppy below was fed asimilar growth food containing3.3% calcium (DMB). Note thepoor growth and angular limbdeformities in the puppyconsuming excess calcium.

(Hazewinkel H.A.W. Influencesof different calcium intakes on calcium metabolism andskeletal development in youngGreat Danes. ProefschriftRijksuniversiteit Utrecht 1985.PhD thesis Utrecht University1985).

An excess of phosphorus in the diet has been shown toincrease the progression of renal disease. Research indogs and cats with advanced renal disease has shownthat decreasing the level of dietary phosphorus slowsthe progression and reduces the severity of renal disease.This has the beneficial effect of lengthening the pet’s life.

Limiting excess phosphorus throughout dogs’ and cats’adult lives may reduce progression of renal disease in itsearlier stages when diagnosis is difficult.


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2.5 SodiumResearch has demonstrated that feeding cats a diet high in sodium is dangerous.In cats with early, undiagnosed, renal disease that were fed a diet high in sodium,a progressive deterioration in renal function was shown.

2.6 MagnesiumExcess dietary magnesium should be avoided to prevent the precipitation ofstruvite crystals in the urine of cats and dogs.

2.7 CopperCopper deficiency may occur with high levels of zinc and iron.

Copper toxicity occurs mainly in specific breeds that arepredisposed to copper storage defects. Bedlington Terriers andWest Highland White Terriers are prone to hepatic copperstorage defects. These defects cause accumulation of copperin the liver, which results in severe liver disease.


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Self-assessment questions

1. What is the aim of clinical nutrition?

2. What is malnutrition?

3. Which nutrients are considered key nutritional factors?

Summary of key points

1. Nutrition is important for good health: avoidingdisease, improving life quality and increasing lifeexpectancy.

2. Risk factor management ensures that health risksare detected and addressed appropriately.

3. Some nutrients are considered key nutritionalfactors.

4. Nutritional risk factors in pets include excessiveintake of phosphorus and energy and calcium forparticular breeds.

Summary


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a. Explain to Mrs Read, in simple terms why too much meat in the diet can causeproblems for her cat.

b. How would you explain, in simple terms, why the right nutrition can help preventdisease and help keep her cat healthy?

Exercise

Building your portfolioPhotocopy and use the form below to keep a record of your answers to thequestions below. Keep this information for your portfolio.


key nutritional factors - protrain.hs.llnwd.netnot all dogs and cats that appear healthy are free of...

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