Nutritional Diseases 4-H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M System

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