2. Minerals: Macrominerals and Microminerals

3. Minerals are Inorganic Chemicals
More than 18 mineral elements are believed to be essential for mammals.
Minerals are divided into two groups: Macrominerals-required in large amts.
Microminerals-required in small amts., also known as “trace elements”.

4. Macrominerals: these minerals account for most of the body’s mineral content and are required in the diet in large amounts.

5. Phosphorus (P) (Anion)
Aids in bone and teeth formation
Muscle formation
Energy producing nutrient metabolism
Energy production
Reproduction

6. Phosphorus Deficiency
Decrease appetite
Decreased growth
Dull hair coat
Decreased fertility
Spontaneous fractures
Rickets ( a disease of young animals; a failure of calcification of osteoid and cartilage of the bones which become bowed and a persistence with enlargement of the epiphyses so that the joints appear swollen. The animals are lame and dentition is delayed.)

7. Rickets

8. Phosphorus Excess Bone loss Urinary calculi
Calcification of soft tissue
Secondary hyperthyroidism

10. Feline Hyperthyroidism
Feline hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal abnormality and is a common disease of aging cats. Hyperthyroidism is a feline disorder affecting multiple body systems due to an overabundance of the thyroid hormone, which increases the metabolism. Because of this increase, the cat's body systems function at an accelerated rate that it may not be able to sustain. As a result, problems with the heart, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys may occur; weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite are classic signs of the disease.

11. Normal Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Enlarged Thyroid Gland

12. Calcium (Ca) (Cation) Aids in bone and teeth formation Blood clotting
Muscle function
Nerve transmission
Membrane permeability

13. Calcium Deficiency Decreased growth Decreased appetite
Decreased bone mineralization
Lameness
Spontaneous fractures, rickets
Loose teeth
Tetany (steady contraction of a muscle without distinct twitching, continuous spasm)
Convulsions

15. Calcium Excess Decreased feed efficiency
Nephrosis (any kidney disease)
Lameness
Enlarged costochondral (rib/cartilage) junctions
Effects bone and cartilage maturation

17. Calcium Phosphorus Ratio
Should be maintained at 1:1
Imbalance of this ratio, such as an increase of phosphorus to calcium, can lead to serious bone malformation.
However, nutritional excesses are far more common than deficiencies. High levels of calcium and phosphorus are harmful. They can cause hip dysplasia and Wobbler syndrome.

19. Potassium (K) (cation)
Aids in muscle contraction
Transmission of nerve impulses
Osmotic balance
Energy transfer

20. Potassium Deficiency Anorexia Decreased growth Lethargy
Locomotive problems
Hypokalemia
Heart and kidney lesions
emaciation

21. Potassium Excess
Rare
Paresis (slight or incomplete paralysis; does include frequent falling, stumbling)
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

22. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Na=cation Cl=anion
Aids in maintaining osmotic pressure
Transmission of nerve impulses
Nutrient uptake
Waste excretion
Water metabolism

23. Sodium Chloride Deficiency
Inability to maintain water balance
Decreased growth
Anorexia
Fatigue
Hair loss

24. Sodium Chloride Excess
Thirst
Pruritus (itching)
Constipation
Seizures
Hypertension, and death

25. Magnesium (Mg) (cation)
Component of bone, intercellular fluids
Neuromuscular transmission
Active component of several enzymes
Carbs and lipid metabolism

26. Magnesium Deficiency Muscle weakness Hyper-irritability Convulsions
Anorexia
Vomiting
Decreased mineralization of bone
Calcification of aorta

28. Magnesium Excess
Urinary calculi (crystal aggregations) of dissolved minerals in urine)

29. Diets
Excess macromineral intake can result from feeding large amts of supplements, such as bone meal, or a diet limited to just meat.
Most commercial diets are already adequate in macrominerals. But many times it is the owner that over supplements their pet.
You as a technician will encounter this situation and must educate owners. Purebred animal hobbyists tend to over supplement.

30. Just
Say
No!

31. Microminerals: also know as trace minerals.
These are present in body in small amounts.
These minerals are required in small amounts in the diet.

32. Zinc (Zn)
Activator of 200 known enzymes including protein synthesis and carb metabolism, skin and wound healing, immune response, fetal development, and growth rate.

33. Zinc Deficiency Anorexia Alopecia Impaired reproduction Vomiting
Hair depigmentation
Conjunctivitis

34. Zinc Excess
Relatively non-toxic, there are reported cases of toxicity due to consumption of pennies.

35. Manganese (Mn)
Activation of enzyme, lipid, and carb metabolism, bone development, reproduction and cell membrane integrity.

36. Manganese Deficiency Decreased growth (rare in cats and dogs)
Impaired reproduction

37. Manganese Excess
Relatively non-toxic

38. Selenium (Se)
Immune function, interacts with vitamins E to help prevent cellular damage.

39. Selenium Deficiency Muscular dystrophy Reproductive failure
Subcutaneous edema
Renal mineralization

41. Selenium Excess Vomiting spasms Staggered gait Salivation
Decreased appetite
Dyspnea
“Garlicky breath”
Nail loss

42. Iodine (I)
Aids in thyroid production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

43. Iodine Deficiency Goiter Fetal resorption Rough hair coat
Enlarged thyroid glands
Alopecia
Apathy
Myxoedema (A mucinous degeneration with thickening of the skin-hypothyroidism)
Lethargy

45. Iodine Excess
Similar to deficiency

46. Iron (Fe)
Aids in activation of O2 and CO2 transport (hemoglobin and myoglobin)

47. Iron Deficiency
Anemia
Rough hair coat
Listlessness
Decreased growth

48. Iron Excess Anorexia Decreased serum albumin concentrations
Hepatic dysfunction
What does hepatic mean?

49. Copper (Cu)
Catalyst of hemoglobin formation , cardiac function, cellular respiration, connective tissue development, pigmentation, bone formation, myelin formation, immune function.
Copper mineral water

50. Copper Deficiency Anemia Decreased growth Hair depigmentation
Bone lesions
Aortic rupture
Reproductive failure

51. Copper Excess
Hepatitis and increased liver enzyme activity.

52. Macrominerals-vs-Microminerals
Macrominerals are measured in the diet as a percentage (%).
Microminerals are measured in part per million (ppm) or mg/kg.
Never just consider the amt of mineral in a food, think about how much of that mineral can be used by the animal.
Considerations: solubility, metabolic interaction with other nutrient compounds, signalment of the animal, and the animal’s ability to store the mineral. What does signalment mean?

53. Macro and micro-minerals
Both can interact with each other as either antagonists or synergists.
Even the marginal deficiency of one mineral can decrease or alter the efficacy of another!

54. Antagonist
These reactions are defined as the presence of one mineral reducing the transport or efficacy of another.
So in other words, one is acting against the other.
Most mineral reactions are antagonistic and can occur during processing, digestion, storage, or transport.

55. Synergists
Two minerals reacting in a complimentary fashion by either enhancing biologic function or sparing the other mineral.
These guys work together for a good cause.