Page 398 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

408 Small Animal Clinical Nutrition

Taurine arthrogryposis, fusion of digits, craniofacial deformities and
a
VetBooks.ir Taurine is required for normal reproduction and fetal develop- cerebral dysgenesis. For this reason, DM copper levels of 15
ment (Chapter 19).Taurine deficiency in gestating queens may
mg/kg food from an available source have been recommended
result in fetal death near the 25th day of gestation, abortions
for queens eating dry foods (AAFCO, 2007). The minimum
throughout gestation, fetal deformities and delayed growth and recommended DM allowance for foods for late gestation and
development (Sturman, 1991). However, the taurine require- peak lactation in queens is 8.8 mg/kg (NRC, 2006).
ment for gestation is similar to that for other lifestages (i.e., a A previous report of experimental copper deficiency cited
minimum of 0.1% DM taurine in dry foods and 0.17% DM in histochemical defects of the aorta (Doong et al, 1983).
moist foods) (NRC, 2006; Kirk et al, 1995). Current AAFCO Hematologic abnormalities are not a typical feature of copper
allowances for taurine are appropriate for reproducing cats deficiency in cats, as in other species. Supplemental copper in
(2007). Therefore, foods that have AAFCO label statements feline foods should be highly available. Copper sulfate and cop-
acknowledging appropriateness for growth or reproduction per chelates appear to be good dietary sources.
should provide adequate amounts.

Essential Fatty Acids FEEDING PLAN
Linoleic and AA and possibly α-linolenic acid are required in
foods for cats. Signs of linoleic acid deficiency in cats are sim- Generally, feeding plan recommendations are based on infor-
ilar to those in other animals (Chapter 32). However, the mation from populations of cats at similar lifestages. However,
long-term deficiency of dietary AA also results in reproduc- the feeding plan for reproducing cats should be tailored to meet
tive failure. Queens with an AA deficiency appear unable to the needs of the individual cat based on unique variations in
bear live kittens (MacDonald et al, 1984). In contrast to genetics, environment, litter size and health status.The feeding
queens, male cats do not appear to require AA for reproduc- plan includes the food to be fed and the feeding method (how
tion. Spermatogenesis remains normal in males with an AA much food is fed and how it is offered).
deficiency possibly because testes convert linoleic acid to AA.
AA at 0.04% of the dietary energy supports normal reproduc- Assess and Select the Food
tion in queens. However, lower levels have been used when The process of food assessment includes comparing the current
interference from omega-3 fatty acids is avoided (MacDonald food’s key nutritional factor content with the key nutritional
et al, 1984). Current AAFCO allowances for linoleic and AA factor recommendations for reproduction. Table 22-4 lists the
are appropriate for gestating cats (2007).Therefore, foods that key nutritional factors in selected commercial foods and com-
have AAFCO label statements acknowledging that a food is pares them to the recommended levels. For foods not listed, the
appropriate for growth or reproduction should provide ade- same information can usually be obtained from pet food man-
quate amounts. ufacturers (see pet food labels for toll-free numbers or web-
sites). The comparison discloses potential discrepancies
Magnesium between the key nutritional factors and the cat’s current food.
Magnesium should not be overly restricted in foods for repro- Also, the food should be shown to be appropriate for reproduc-
ducing queens. Most cat foods intended for prevention of tion based on AAFCO or other credible regulatory agency
struvite urolithiasis have magnesium levels above the mini- guidelines or feeding trials. Generally speaking, commercial
mum recommended allowance for late gestation and peak lac- growth-type foods are also intended for feeding to queens for
tation (0.05%, DM) (NRC, 2006). Dietary magnesium levels gestation/lactation.
of 0.08 to 0.15% DM are recommended in foods for repro- Food assessment during lactation also includes assessment
ducing queens. of lactation performance. Evaluation of kitten growth rate
and rate of weight loss in the queen can point to nutritional
Copper inadequacies in the queen during late gestation and lactation.
Copper is required for normal iron metabolism and as an Nursing kittens should gain approximately 100 g/week or 10
enzyme cofactor in several key metabolic pathways, including to 15 g/day. Weight gains less than 7 g/day require immedi-
those responsible for myelin, melanin and connective tissue ate evaluation of the food, the queen and the kittens. Queens
production. Copper requirements for growth and reproduction normally lose some weight during lactation but should return
are thought to be approximately 5 mg/kg food (Doong et al, to within 2% of their pre-breeding body weight by weaning
1983). However, copper deficiency has been reported to occur (Figure 22-1). Weight loss is also related to litter size. The
in queens fed a food containing 15 mg copper/kg food, sup- anticipated weight loss of queens from Week 0 to 3 can be
plied, in part, by copper oxide (Morris and Rogers, 1994). approximated by the following equation (Loveridge and
Copper from copper oxide is poorly available.The combination Rivers, 1989):
of poorly available copper from food and competition from Total queen’s body weight loss (g) = 339.2 + (58.8)n (where
high levels of dietary zinc, iron, calcium and phytate signifi- n = number of kittens).
cantly impair copper availability. Clinical signs of copper defi- If either the queen’s rate of weight loss is excessive, or the kit-
ciency include fetal death and abortions, achromotrichia, tens’ growth rate is inadequate, the food and feeding method