Anatomy and PhysiologyPart III

Nutrition and Digestion of Small Animals

Characteristics
Ruminants are considered as forage consuming, able to eat large amounts of vegetable material in a fresh, dried, or ensiled state Ruminants have one stomach with multiple compartments Food material in the ruminant system is acted on by millions of bacteria and microorganisms
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Characteristics
The bacteria and microorganisms transform low-quality protein and nitrogen compounds into essential amino acids
http://schools.4j.lane.edu/twinoaks/

http://www.avs.uidaho.edu/avs305/Ruminant%20dig

Four ruminant compartments

Rumen- largest compartment contains bacteria and microorganisms that aids in the digestive process
http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/tcolvill/135 /images/rumenrt.gif

Four ruminant compartments

Reticulum- second compartment that works with the rumen to aide in the formation of cud for regurgitation. Also known as the hardware stomach because it collects nails, pieces of wire, and other swallowed objects

Reticulum

http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ilm/outreach/necropsy/images/reticulum1.jpg

Four ruminant compartments

Omasum- the third compartment of the ruminant that removes water from food as it moves from the rumen to the fourth compartment

Omasum

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/mammal_digestive_photos.htm

Abomasum- the fourth compartment in the ruminant that is referred to as the true stomach Its function is to break down food material by muscular movement and to secrete digestive juices The abomasum is most like the stomach in non-ruminants or single-stomached animals The material then passes into the small intestine

Four ruminant compartments

Abomasum- mucous secreting tissue

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/mammal_digestive_photos.htm

Non-ruminants
Referred to as singlestomached or mono-gastric animals

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/mammal_digestive_photos.htm

Rabbits and birds

Classified as non-ruminants even though their system is slightly different

Rabbits
Similar to horses digestive system in that they have a large cecum (place where small and large intestines join) with bacteria present
Therefore, rabbits can eat more high-quality roughage material than other small animals and convert them to nutrients

Rabbits
Rabbits must maintain levels of bacteria in the cecum for digestive process and health Rabbits eat undigested feces (coprophagy) to help bacterial action

Rabbit Digestive System

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/mammal_digestive_photos.htm

Birds
Have a unique system for breaking down the seed and food they eat
Birds do not have teeth. Saliva is added to assist with swallowing, but very little breakdown of food occurs in the mouth

Bird digestive system

http://www.blackforestpoultry.com/bird-gi.jpg

Special bird characteristics

The largest organ is the ventriculus or gizzard. The gizzard grinds and crushes food before passing it into the small intestine

Digestive Process for Non-ruminants

Food is broken down in the mouth (except birds), stomach (gizzard in birds), and then passed into the small intestine, the primary site for digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, fats and proteins

Digestive Process for Non-ruminants

Undigested food passes from the small intestine into the large intestine where the main activity is the absorption of water from the undigested food and addition of lubricating mucus to aid in passage of waste

Fish
Digestive systems of fish vary somewhat Type of feed fish eat is largely determined by the type of teeth they have Some fish swallow prey whole while others chew up their food

Fish digestive system

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Major Ways Nutrients Are Used

Maintenance- rations high in carbohydrates and fats designed to keep constant with no gain or loss of weight. Growth- rations high in energy and protein so as to increase the animals body size.

Major Ways Nutrients Are Used

Reproduction- A ration that contains the largest amount of protein, minerals, and vitamins of any ration. Reproduction rations improve conception rates and breeding ability for males and females and are important for producing live, healthy offspring that have a good birth weight.

Major Ways Nutrients are Used

Lactation- rations for lactating (milk producing) females encourage large milk production and are high in protein, calcium, and phosphorus (same nutrients contained in milk)

Major Ways Nutrients Are Used

Work and activity- rations need increased amounts of fats and carbohydrates to supply the extra energy needed to perform (example: hunting dog chasing game)

Feeding Program Terminology

Diet- feed and water that an animal receives
Amount and type of feedstuff (ingredients) is based on
What the animal needs at time The kinds and amounts of nutrients contained in feed

Feeding Program Terminology

A good diet must be palatable. Palatability means the diet is digestible and appeals to the animal. A good nutritious feed is only good if it is eaten

Feeding Program Terminology

Ration- a feed that contains the right amount and proportion of nutrients

Feeding program terminology

Feed classificationsRoughages (or forages)- made up of leaves and the plants tender stems Concentrates recommended for small animals as a regular part of their diet because it is high in energy or protein

Concentrates
High energy diets include: corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, rye, and oats High protein diets include: soybean oil meal, cottonseed oil meal, and sunflower meals

Feed classification
Supplements- contains a specific nutrient

www.iams.com

Specific Animal Diets

Dogs and cats
Puppies need diet higher in protein than adults and food intake is regulated by activity Cats need twice as much protein as dogs and 10% of their diet should be fat
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Rabbits
Best to use pellet type of commercial feed Avoid feeding leafy green vegetables
http://www.daveandal.com/images/rabbit.jpg

Pocket Pets
Best to use pellet type commercial feed and keep diet consistent. If mixing ration; should have a wide range of food.

http://students.washington.edu/jamiekim/hamsters/

Pocket Pets
Various diets include: gerbils need a little green food in diet, rats can have dog food substituted, ferrets can eat cat food, mice will not overeat, and guinea pigs need solid food to dull their teeth and a certain amount of Vitamin C
http://www.petsdoc.com/pics/mv/patients/ferret.jpg

Amphibians and Reptiles

Depending on their size, amphibians and reptiles prefer to eat animals (snakes eat mice, turtles eat meat, amphibians eat insects and earthworms
Tadpoles will eat pellets of rabbit, dog, or cat food
http://www.sec.state.la.us/around/facts/i-frog1.jpg

Amphibians and Reptiles

Turtles- pieces of meat or liver will do, can feed fruit Snakes in captivity, depending on size, eat a variety of insects, baby rodents, frogs and toads, fullgrown rodents or can learn to eat canned dog/cat food Most of the lizards eat insects
http://www.u46.k12.il.us/bhs/mathscience/reptile.jpg

Birds
Most birds prefer a diet of seeds Two basic types of seed included in a birds diet are cereal seeds and oil seeds Fruit and nectar birds eat oranges, grapes, and apple slices
http://www.dougcotton.homestead.com/files/cockatoo.jpg

Fish
Diet is affected by water temperature. Fish generally eat more when the temperature is higher
Should be given a variety of foods so they dont get bored Shrimp, krill, plankton can be fed to larger fish Flakes are good for smaller fish
http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/mcdavey/pics/2000/fish.jpg

Fish
Amount fish eats is relative to temperature of water, kind of fish, and stage of life Amount fish is fed should be amount it can eat in a few minutes to avoid contaminating water
http://math.hws.edu/eck/cs324/f02/lab4/fish.jpg

THE END