Page 130 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

114 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

TABLE 7.1
Macrominerals
Mineral – chemical
symbol Action or need in body Problems caused Source
Calcium Together with P gives structural Skeletal abnormalities, especially Milk
(Ca) strength to bones and teeth. Transfers during growth and/or lactation Ground egg shell
information between cells, plays a part Bonemeal
in nerve impulses, blood coagulation, Hypercalcemia or too much calcium
and muscular contraction can result in renal failure and
mineralization of the kidney
Sodium Together with Na it regulates blood Low blood pressure Part of the salt
Na pressure and volume. Regulates molecule (NaCl)
NaCl osmotic pressure and body pH or the Caused by vomiting, diarrhea,
Chloride acid–base balance dehydration
Cl
Magnesium Important enzymes for muscle and Symptoms of extremely low levels Legumes, nuts,
(Mg) nerve function, regulation of blood include loss of appetite, vomiting, seeds, grains, milk
sugar levels and blood pressure. Used fatigue, weakness
in the production of protein, bone,
and DNA Can cause numbness, tingling,
muscle cramps, abnormal heart
rhythm, and seizures
Phosphorus Along with Ca it maintains rigidity P can speed up kidney failure Added as an
(P) of bones and teeth. Important in additive to feed
cell membrane structure, provides and is found in
energy at the cellular level, and is an plants
important structural component of
DNA and RNA
Potassium Maintains water and acid–base In the young, slow growth, muscular K is found in
(K) balance, and osmotic pressure. weakness, stiffness, reduced heart the Earth’s crust
Metabolizes carbohydrates and rate, acidosis, nervous disorders, and and is mined for
proteins. Regulates neuromuscular death if totally deficient supplements, it is also
activity and heartbeat absorbed by grasses
fed for livestock
Sulfur Essential component of enzymes and Slow growth, reduced;milk Forages, water,
(S) antioxidants that strengthen skin, production, and feed efficiency corn, gluten feed,
hair, fur, and feathers. Important in distiller’s grain
cartilage health and the structure of Severe deficiencies: anorexia, weight
proteins. Also importantin the pH loss, dullness, and slow movement
balance of blood
Excess sulfates in water can cause
polioencephalomalacia (PEM)
in cattle. May cause blindness,
muscle tremors, difficulty walking,
convulsions, and death

List of Ingredients have more animal protein than the first product listed
had from meat. More about dry matter basis later in this
The list of ingredients is in order of quantity based on chapter.
weight. Protein sources like meat are often listed first
because of high water content they weighs more than Adequacy Statement
meal, which has been cooked down to a powder. If the
first ingredient on the label is chicken and the second is Nutritional adequacy statement is used to help you
chicken meal, the FDA and AAFCO point out that if you match the pet’s nutritional needs with a product. For
could compare first and second ingredients on a dry example, Hill’s™ Pet Nutrition W/D is a weight
matter basis, we would see that the chicken meal would management diet formulated to help pets lose weight or