ANIMAL WELFARE

ELISTA Education 2011

The Freedom from Hunger & Thirst

Freedom from Hunger and Thirst

Optimal Welfare

No provision of Freedom

•Good quality balanced diet appropriate to specie and life stage

•Clean fresh water available at all times

•Mechanism of provision

•Dehydrated

•Starved

•MalnourishedPoor quality/less appropriate food

Doing little harm, but little good

Potentially prevent freedom from pain, injury and disease

Optimal Welfare

• Suitable supply of balanced diet

• Access to water• Mechanism of feed and water (pm)

• Suitable to life stage/special dietary requirements (pm)

A Balanced Diet

Is made up of essential “nutrients” which allow the body of an animal to function and be maintained at the level appropriate to that individuals live stage or activity level.

Nutrient=“source of nourishment…”

To Nourish=“To provide…necessary for life and growth”www.the freedictionary.com

A Balanced Diet…

• Protein

• Carbohydrates

• Fat

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Water

Protein

• Made up of compounds C, H, O, N and occasionally S

• Different sequences of compounds make amino acids

e.g Phe= Phenylalanine Arg= Arginine

There are both ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ amino acids. Essential amino acids must be provided in the diet as not made in the body, non-essential amino acids are made through essential ones.

Essential amino acids are required for protein synthesis (production of all cell tissue +DNA)

Protein

• Protein is broken down by pepsin and trypsin (within pancreatic juice) in small intestine.

The pancreas varies in size and in proportion to the rest of the animal depending on specie and gives an indication to the

protein requirements.

ProteinFunctions

• Protein Synthesis• Growth• Tissue maintenance and repair• Hormones and Enzymes• Components of Immune System

ProteinDeficiency• Reduced growth of young animals• Weight Loss• Reduced Performance/Ability or Production• Bad condition of coat, hooves, nails/claws• Impaired Immune System• Appetite Depravity (may eat own faeces)

Excess protein can promote fast growth rate and possibly weight gain. Poor quality Protein can be converted to energy

ProteinTypes

Generally categorised as HIGH biological value (HBV) or LOW biological value (LBV) protein.

Typically meat= HBV

cereals, nuts, pulses=LBV

Exceptions e.g Soya.

HBV is easier to digest.

Carbohydrates

• Made up of compounds C, H, and O• Monosaccharides (simple

sugars)e.g Glucose, Fructose, Galactose

• Disaccharides e.g Sucrose, Maltose, Lactose

• Polysaccharides (complex)e.g Starch and Cellulose

Starch has a lot of ‘alpha’ joined glucose making it very soluble

Cellulose has a lot of ‘beta’ joined glucose. Only rumen/caecum micro organisms can break this down

Carbohydrates• Carbohydrates are first broken down by salivary amylase and then

the intestines or similar.

Digestive systems of animals are adapted to break down the carbohydrates of their diet.

CarbohydrateFunctions• Provide Energy

• System working and maintenance; brain,

heart, nervous, digestive and immune

• Fibre, which is also a form of carbohydrate, is essential for the elimination of waste materials and toxins from the body and helps to keep the intestines disease-free and clean.

CarbohydrateDeficiency• Lack of Energy

• Potential kidney problems due to the breakdown of additional acid produced from cells functioning without glucose

• Use of protein as energy, possible muscle wastage

Fat

• Compounds C, H, O• Found as triglycerides• Source of the essential fatty

acids; Linoleic, Linolenic and Arachidonic(important in endocrine and immune system)

• Saturated fats are typically ‘solid’ (in meat and meat by products)

• Unsaturated fats are more so ‘oils’ (in nuts, plant material)

glycerol

Fat

• Fat is broken down by bile (produced in gall bladder) in the stomach and lipase (within pancreatic juice) in small intestine.

• Fatty acids broken down from triclycerides in the digestive system move through the blood and lymph system to reform into triclycerides and be stored in tissue and specialised cells.

• Fat stores can be utilised if necessary for energy.

FatFunctions

• Carry electrons (part of atoms)• Component of cell membranes (as lipids)• Store for some vitamins• Energy• Insulation• Normal functioning of body systems (esp. Immune and

Endocrine)

FatDeficiency

• Poor coat

• Flaky skin

• Hair Loss

• Impaired Reproductive Efficiency

Vitamins

• Fat soluble or Water Soluble– Source– Function– Deficiency– Toxicity/Excess

Vitamin A (Fat Soluble)

• Source: Liver, egg yolk, milk, (precursor, converted in wall

of small intestine-B carotene found in) green forage leaves.

• Function: Night vision, healthy skin cells, bone

formation, reproduction, immune system • Deficiency: Reduced feed and growth rate, dry

rough brittle coat, poor night vision, hyperkeratinization of

cornea and skin, respiratory infections, poor reproduction Excess: Hypervitaminosis A, Bone problems, loss of hair and skin, other vitamin inbalances

                                          

Vitamin D (Fat Soluble)

• Source: From the sun

• Function: Utilised in kidneys, bones and

intestine to maintain Ca and P levels in plasma • Deficiency: Same as Calcuim and

Phosphorus; rickets, osteomalacia

• Excess:Excessive Ca and P deposits

                                          

Vitamin E (Fat Soluble)

• Source: Green Forage, Grass and oil seeds

• Function: Block free radical attack to cells, a

barrier at cell wall • Deficiency: Impaired reproduction in some

species (same as Selenium)

• Excess:Toxicity rare

                                                                                       

Vitamin K (Fat Soluble)

• Source: K1-Produced by bacteria

K2-Green Leafy Plants

• Function: Involved in blood clotting • Deficiency: Impaired blood clotting (rare)

• Excess: Blood related problems

                                                                                       

Vitamin B’s (Water Soluble)• Types: Vitamin B complex includes:

Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid (B9) also B3,5,6,7,12

• Source: Most B vitamins are synthesises in the gut (B12 from Cobalt), all but B12 are also found in most unprocessed food

• Function: Involved in metabolism of protein,

carbohydrates, fat and haemoglobin. Vit B12 used to convert the acid produced by intestinal microbes of ruminants to glucose.

• Deficiency: Many deficiencies conditions in humans,

animals less affected, although deficiency in B12 can affect ruminants

• Excess: Toxicity is rare

                                                                                       

Vitamin C (Water Soluble) Ascrobic Acid

• Source: Plants and Fruits, synthesised in

body by majority of animals

• Function: Required for enzyme activity, acts

as antioxidant, for production of collagen for skin • Deficiency: Scurvy

• Excess:Toxicity rare as not stored

                                                                                       

Minerals

• Macro-minerals (required in larger quantity)

- Ca, P, K, Na, Cl, S, Mg

• Micro-minerals (trace elements required in tiny quantity)

- Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, Se

Calcium & Phosphorus

• Interconnected in function; Bone, muscle, nerve production and function

Sodium & Potassium

• Interrelated; Involved in pH balance and osmosis (body fluid regulation)

Copper

• Important in many enzyme actions including production of Melanin, Iron into bloodstream and Respiration (o2 to CO2)

Selenium

• Works closely with Vitamin E, helps in production of antioxidants to fight against free-radicals

Iron

• Component of Haemoglobin

• Excreted when not required

Water

• Compounds of 2 H and 1 O• Found in food, drink and

through metabolic processes

Lost through Faeces, Urine, Lungs, Skin, Milk

WaterFunctions• Transport of materials in body• Solvent• Heat exchange (evaporation from skin and

lungs)• Excretion (urine and sweat)• Hydrolysis (splitting of water for H protons)

How do we know the feed we are

providing is ‘balanced’?

How do we know the food we eat is appropriate for us?

• Make ourselves knowledgeable • Pay attention to experts• Trial and error (see what works)• Personal Preference (Palatability)…

We should aim to do the same for our animals!

Making ourselves knowledgeable…

Researching such as…

• Natural feeding Substrates

• Natural feeding methods

• Specie / Breed lifestyle

• Breed predispositions

• Individual animal

Pay attention to the experts…Nutritional science has made huge advancements in recent

years. Science can guide us on:• What nutrients animals need• What quantity those nutrients are required in• What level of feeding should be provided depending on

performance• How much of the food provided animals are digesting• What animals favourite tastes and flavours are….

…and so on!

As with many areas of science though, there are discrepancies and difference of opinion.

Nutrition and Feed companies invest huge amounts of time and money in research to try and offer products to the maximum number of consumers.

Trial and Error (what works!)

Observing…

                                               

Behaviour

Skin and Hair

Faeces

Breath

Personal Preference

• Palatability

• Appearance

• Smell

• Texture

Our Own knowledge + Experts Research+

Observations+ Personal Preference=

FOOD ANALYSIS FOR OUR OWN PET

We can further analyse by comparing.

Comparing Commercial Food

• Ingredients

• Nutritional Analysis

& Dry matter

• Cost

Comparing Food Type

DRY

SEMI MOIST WET|

Commercial vs Home vs Raw

Commercial– ‘balanced’, convenient, additives…

Home- cheaper?….

Raw- ‘natural’….

Preference Testing

SPECIFIC FEEDING

                                   

Obesity• Low energy density• Increased volume to increase

satiety (moisture levels in wet, kibble design in dry)

• Protein levels sufficient to minimise muscle tissue loss

• Enriched with antioxidants (Vitamin E and Taurine) • Low in fat

Diabetes

• Usually caused by damage to the pancreas and the inability to produce insulin which regulates sugar levels

                                 Clinically proven nutrition to help dogs maintain a healthy weight

                                 High levels of carnitine to increase energy metabolism and burn fat while increasing lean muscle mass

                                 Moderately high fiber levels provide a feeling of fullness and may help reduce begging

                                 Helps stabilize and minimize fluctuation of blood glucose levels in diabetic dogs

Added antioxidants to control cell oxidation and

promote a healthy immune system

http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-canine-wd-canine-low-fat-diabetic-gastrointestinal-canned.html

Kidney Condition• Kidneys remove waste substances from the blood, and maintain

the normal balance of fluid and minerals within the body.

Once kidney damage occurs, the consequences are usually irreversible. • Reduced levels of protein to help reduce kidney workload

•Reduced phosphorus to help maintain healthy kidney function and minimize stress on kidneys

•Reduced sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure

    Increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support kidney health

    Increased levels of B-complex vitamins to compensate urinary losses

•Added antioxidants to control cell oxidation

and promote a healthy immune system

http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-feline-kd-feline-renal-health-dry.html

Urinary Tract ConditionsSupreme VetCarePlus Urinary Tract Health Formula

•High 28% Crude Fibre •Based on Timothy Hay •Low Ca. 0.5% •Added vitamin C – 500mg/kg •Encourages water consumption •With Cranberries and Billberries – natural antioxidents •Echinacea – to help support the immune system & fight infection •Dandelion – a gentle diuretic – to stimulate routine renal function •Rich in “long fibre” •Extended feeding time •Promotes dental wear •Enhances environmental enrichment •A nutritionally complete and balance diet •Wheat and Gluten free •Added Linseed for healthy skin and coat •No artificial colours or flavours •No added sugars

Aging• Dogs can experience mobility issues at different stages of life. Diet can enhance

active mobility and help improve joint flexibility. Enriching with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids; plus Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate from natural sources can help support bone and joint cartilage and maintain ease of movement in aging and with mobility difficulty.

http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-adult-healthy-mobility-large-breed-dry.html

Vital fatty acids for optimal levels of Omega-3 fatty acids to enhance overall mobility.

Omega-3 fatty acids plus Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate from natural sources for key building blocks of healthy cartilage and joint function.

Vitamin C + E in optimal levels of clinically proven antioxidants for a healthy immune system.

High quality lean proteins, the building block for lean muscle and helping maintain ideal body composition.

High quality ingredients to ensures optimal nutrient absorption to keep your dog fit and healthy

Specific Breed Requirementshttp://www.royalcanin.co.uk/products/products/dog-products/breed-health-nutrition

•Cardiac Function Support

•Enhances Coat Colour

•Weight Maintenance

•Brachycephalic jaw kibble

•Targets Digestive Function

•Support Sensitive Skin

•Joint Support

• Bright White Coat Promotion

•Tartar Control

•Healthy Skin

•Fussy Appetite

• Ideal Weight formula

•Bone & Joint Support

•Healthy skin & Coat

•Antioxidants

Laminitis•Contains very low levels of cereal starch and sugar making it ideally suited for horses and ponies prone to laminitis.

•Low in calories making it ideal for good doers, native ponies and those at rest or in light work.

•Contains a special blend of natural fibres to help keep your horse or pony eating for longer when compared to cubes and

mixes.

http://www.arabianhorsesource.com/laminitisarticlediagrams.pdf

Feeding Adaptations

• Physical

Feeding Adaptations

• Physiological

Feeding Adaptations• Behavioural

Feeding Adaptations

• Social

Feed Mechanisms