NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS
COMMON CORE STANDARDS ADDRESSED!
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or
secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among
the key details and ideas.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information
presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCE
STANDARDS ADDRESSED
• AS.03.01. Analyze the nutritional needs of animals.
•
AS.03.01.01.a. Identify and summarize essential nutrients required for animal health and analyze each
nutrient’s role in growth and performance.
BELL WORK!
• What are the most common causes of infertility in domestic farm animals?
• List three factors that might cause abortions in livestock.
• Why is fresh water so important to livestock?
• Why is an adequate energy level so important to animals?
TERMS!
• Amino Acids
• Carbohydrates
• Dehydration
• Energy
• Fats
• Minerals
• Protein
Roughage
• Vitamins
INTRODUCTION
• Just like humans, animals nee proper nutrition for health, energy and maintenance.
• In order to maintain an animals health and appearance the owner must be able to recognize
health problems and know the corrective action to take.
• The type of nutrients that an animal needs will depend on the type of animal and its age.
• Vitamins, protein, minerals and carbohydrates along with water need to provided to livestock
in the needed quantities to ensure proper production levels.
PROPER NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS
• The most important part of every
animals diet is water.
• Water is continually lost in urine, feces
and by perspiration in some animals.
• Water makes up 60 % of and animals
body and must be replenished and
available at all times.
• A health disorder such as diarrhea only
heightens the animals need for water.
• There area health disorders which will
increase urine output, again increasing
the need for water.
PROPER NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS
• Water requirements vary
from one species to
another depending on
their digestive system,
stage of development and
diet fed.
• Ruminants especially
cattle have high water
requirements because of
the fermentation process
in the rumen.
• Lactating cows especially
dairy cattle again have
increased water
requirements.
ENERGY
• Energy is needed by animals for
growth, movement and
reproduction. Energy is supplied
to the animal in the form of
protein, carbohydrates and fats.
The breakdown of these feed
ingredients supplies the animal
with energy.
• Cattle, sheep, goats, wildlife and
horses usually get enough
energy from high quality
roughages.
• Feeding of supplemental grain
may be needed to maximize
growth.
• Proteins are also a source of
amino acids that are needed for
cell function in the body.
MINERALS
• Minerals are important as they serve as the foundation for skeletal structure.
• Phosphorus aids in the following:
• Bone formation
• Energy compound in cells
• Calcium has a number of functions;
• Forms bone
• Maintains cell performance
• Required for muscle contraction
• Required for blood clotting
MINERALS
• Quality pastures that have been fertilized will yield healthy plants to maintain
the mineral balance
• Large range areas in New Mexico may have plants deficient in minerals. It
would be a good idea to supplemental feed mineral to livestock in open range
situations.
• Mineral supplements provide calcium, phosphorus, salt and essential trace
minerals such as magnesium, potassium, copper, cobalt and iodine. Specific
regions of the country may need additional minerals.
• Small animal foods have minerals added to the ration formulation.
FEEDING MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS!
VITAMINS
• Vitamins are essential for proper cell formation.
• Vitamins may be formed in the body but must be supplemented to maintain
proper levels.
• Quality roughages generally supply enough vitamin A, D, and E for ruminant
animals.
• Ruminants also form vitamins B, C and K from within the body.
• Small pets the consume table scraps often need supplemental vitamin.
• Vitamin D is formed in the skin by exposure to sunlight and is not generally
supplemented.
• Vitamins may be added to supplemental feeding programs for all animals as a
part of the daily rations.
PROTEIN DEFICIENCIES
• Protein in the blood maintains the fluid balance within the body of an animal.
• Protein deficiencies in animals will result in an individual that appears to be
underweight and in severe cases weak because of poor muscle structure.
• In severe bovine cases fluid will accumulate from the throat to the underline.
PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY
• Good pasture and commercial feeds will generally provide adequate
phosphorus for the diet.
• Phosphorus is essential for organ structure, energy utilization and nutrient
transport.
• Animals suffering a phosphorus will have an unthrifty appearance, and suffer
from lameness.
• Pica is the continued eating of non nutritive substances indicating a
deficiency. Pica is not uncommon in animals suffering a phosphorus
deficiency.
PHOSPHORUS SUPPLEMENTATION
CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES!
• Calcium deficiencies are not uncommon in animals especially lactating
females.
• Lactation pulls calcium from bone storage and the diet. A drop in blood
calcium causes problems with muscles and nerves.
• A calcium deficiency in a lactating cow is known as milk fever. Symptoms
would include;
• Depression and loss of appetite.
• Muscle tremors
• and grinding of teeth
• In severe cases, muscle tremors will lead to paralysis.
• Lactating dogs will tremble, pant and be very nervous, followed by
convulsions and death.
• Direct injection of calcium is the best treatment.
CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES!
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCIES
• Magnesium deficiencies are common with cattle more than other species.
This disorder is know as “Grass Tetany”.
• Cattle grazing wheat in New Mexico would be most affected.
• Fertilizer applied to pastures contains nitrogen and potassium which will
interfere with the absorption of magnesium.
• Affected animals are excitable, run about, and suffer stiff muscle convulsions
followed by death.
• In severe cases direct injection of magnesium is needed to save the animal.
• Supplemental feeding mixtures containing magnesium will generally control
the problem.
GRASS TETANY
VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY!
• Animals fed commercial feed seldom suffer from a vitamin A deficiency. The
disorder is more common in animals on pasture, especially in areas suffering
from drought.
• The initial symptoms of the disorder are skin and eye problems.
• Extreme symptoms would include;
• Poor night vision
• Weak newborn animals
• Retained placenta
• Abortions
BLOAT!
• Ruminant animals remove gases that are produced in the rumen as a result of
feed fermentation by belching.
• Legume roughages and finely ground feed may cause bloat.
• If gases are trapped in the rumen it will enlarge putting pressure on the lungs
and prevents the animal from breathing properly. The results unless treated
is the suffocation of the animal.
• Trapped gases must be released by drugs, passing a hose down the animals
throat into the rumen or in severe cases puncturing the rumen through the
abdomen wall.
BLOAT!
COLIC IN HORSES!
• Intestinal movement in horses may trap gas and cause it to build up in the
intestines.
• The gas build up causes intense pain as the intestines stretch and swell.
• Colic may be caused by dietary changes, foreign objects, and disease.
• A horse with colic will be in pain, roll frequently, kick and may perspire.
• A laxative may help, in severe cases surgery is required.
COLIC
DEFICIENCIES IN CATS!
• Cats require the amino acid taurine.
• Taurine is available in commercially prepared cat food.
• Cats that are not fed properly may develop eye problems followed
by blindness and heart problem.
FOUNDER IN CATTLE AND HORSES!
• Improper feeding of horses and cattle can produce bacterial toxins that
interfere with circulation to the hoof.
• Founder will result in lameness, pain and, inflammation. Severe cases will
result in separation of the hoof from the tissue beneath it.
• The cause of founder is “improper feeding”.
INCREASING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS!
• Animals that area placed under stress will need increased nutrition, generally
supplied by supplemental feeding;
• Extreme cold increases the need for high energy feeds
• Diseases will reduce feed efficiency
• Parasites reduce feed efficiency by impacting digestion
• Pregnancy followed by lactation will increase nutrient needs
THE END!