Nutrition

Question 1

Captive land tortoises should be fed a high percentage of what?

Answer 1

Dark leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables such as bell peppers and carrots

Question 2

What percentage of vegetables, fruits, and high protein foods each should be provided in a chelonian diet?

Answer 2

85% vegetables
10% fruits
5% high protein foods

Question 3

What vitamin deficiency do chelonians often suffer from?

Answer 3

Vitamin A due to inappropriate feeding

Question 4

What reptile species is the least frequently affected by dietary deficiencies? Why?

Answer 4

Snakes
Low prevalence of dietary deficiencies because they eat a whole animal diet, which has a wide range of nutrients and decreases the need for UVB light

Question 5

What key ingredient is needed to keep gut flora alive in cattle? What does it do?

Answer 5

Dietary fiber
Provides the nutrition needed to maintain the necessary microorganisms that permit rumen microbial digestion, allowing fermentation of poor quality forage, convert to usable energy, and release unwanted byproducts

Question 6

What pH should the rumen be maintained at?

Answer 6

6.2 to 7.2

Question 7

How would the pH of the rumen be affected by high-grain diets?

Answer 7

The rumen may be more acidic than ideal

Question 8

What dietary supplement is often administered to promote joint health? What does it do?

Answer 8

Glucosamine - used in conjunction with chondroitin, promoting cartilage formation and maintenance

Question 9

Calves and lambs are susceptible to white muscle disease when born to dams that are fed diets deficient in what? What is another name for this condition? What does it cause?

Answer 9

Selenium
Nutritional myodegeneration
Degeneration of skeletal or cardiac muscle

Question 10

What is polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 10

Nutritional disease arising from thiamine deficiency in cattle often seen with sudden ration changes or grain overload

Question 11

What are symptoms of polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 11

Star gazing (opisthotonos) ataxia, seizures, coma, sudden death

Question 12

Which amino acid, often found to be deficient in the diet of pigs, do we need to ensure we provide adequate amounts of?

Answer 12

Lysine

Question 13

What does a pig’s diet generally consist of?

Answer 13

Sorghum, oats, wheat, corn, barley, soybeans, and grains

Question 14

What are signs of phosphorus deficiency in sheep and goats?

Answer 14

Unkempt appearance
Depraved appetite/pica
Slowed growth
Lethargy

Question 15

In what kind of individuals does phosphorus deficiency most commonly occur?

Answer 15

Range or winter-pastured animals

Question 16

How do calcium and phosphorus levels compare in forages, especially legumes?

Answer 16

Low phosphorus levels
High calcium levels

Question 17

How do calcium and phosphorus levels compare in high-grain or concentrate diets?

Answer 17

High phosphorus levels
Low calcium levels

Question 18

What deficiency may an iguana that is showing palpebral edema dysecydsis, URI signs, and decreased appetite have?

Answer 18

Vitamin A

Question 19

How can iguanas with vitamin A deficiency be treated?

Answer 19

SQ injections of vitamin A and increasing consumption of vitamin A-containing foods

Question 20

What amount of water do camelids require when on pasture?

Answer 20

9-13% of their body weight

Question 21

What amino acid is classified as nonessential? Why?

Answer 21

Glycine - animals are able to synthesize enough glycine to meet their requirements

Question 22

What percentage of a psittacine diet should be derived from vegetables? What are some examples? What does this portion provide?

Answer 22

20-30%
Broccoli, winter squash, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes
Fiber, vitamins A and K, carbohydrates

Question 23

What percentage of a psittacine diet should be derived from cereals and whole grains? What are some examples? What does this portion provide?

Answer 23

40-50%
Reputable commercial pelleted diets
Proteins, fiber, B vitamins, and fat

Question 24

What percentage of a psittacine diet should be derived from fruits? What are some examples?

Answer 24

15-20%
Pomegranate, berries, papaya

Question 25

What percentage of a psittacine diet should be derived from meats, insects, and fish? What are some examples? What does this portion provide?

Answer 25

5% Cooked eggs, legumes, lean meats, fish Fat, protein, calcium, and omega fatty acids

Question 26

What do non-commercial grains and cereal psittacine diets lack?

Answer 26

Calcium and vitamins K, D, and A

Question 27

What does the vegetable portion of the psittacine diet lack?

Answer 27

Fats, proteins, and vitamin D3

Question 28

What does the meat/insection/fish portion of the psittacine diet lack?

Answer 28

Vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber

Question 29

What do both sheep and goats require for normal rumination? How much do they need?

Answer 29

Fiber which should equate to more than 50% of dietary intake

Question 30

Describe basic goat nutrition behavior.

Answer 30

Goats thrive when grazing on areas with browse or many plant species - they are active foragers who eat highly digestible grass parts

Question 31

Describe basic sheep nutrition behavior.

Answer 31

Roughage grazers who will eat grass and high-quality plant parts

Question 32

What amount of water does the average horse drink? How much water may they drink in extreme heat only?

Answer 32

25 L/day 100 L/day