DIFFERING DIGESTIVE TRACTS

Proper nutrition of animals requires knowledge of the digestive system, basic nutrients, and the ways in which foods are formulated and marketed.

–Proper feeding and nutrition can prevent many healthproblems and diseases. -Good nutrition is especially important for pregnant animals and animals recovering from surgery or illness.- Understanding the different types of systems helps you understand how to properly take care of the different animals (what to feed them, how much, how often, ect)

TYPES OF TRACTS- RUMENRuminants have four compartments to their stomach.

1. Rumen – “The Fermentation Vat”a. Largest compartmentb. Contains millions of bacteria and microorganisms that partially break

down foodc. Food is regurgitated from the

rumen, rechewed in the form of a cud, and reswallowed for further digestion.

2. Reticulum - “ The Honeycomb”a. Inner walls are lined with

membranes that are divided into honeycomb-like compartments.

b. Foreign matter such as nails and wires is filtered by the reticulum.- collects metal

THE OTHER TWO PARTS…3. Omasum – “Manyplies”

a. Contains many folds of tissue that line the interior walls.

b. Absorbs water and decreases the size of food particles.4. Abomasum – “True Stomach”

a. Secretes digestive enzymes.

b. Functions similar to the stomach of a non-

ruminant.c. Functions as digestive unit of calves until

several months old when rumination begins.

Nonruminant digestion1. Food is passed from the mouth to

theesophagus to a single compartment stomach.

2. The stomach breaks down food by muscular movement and digestive juices.

3. Digestive juices break down proteins and fats.

4. The primary site for digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins is the small intestine.

5. Undigested food passes from the small

intestine to the large intestine where water is absorbed and lubricating mucus is added to aid the passage of material through the large intestine.

CECAL FERMENTATION1. Horses, guinea pigs and rabbits are examplesof cecal fermenters. They have a large cecumallowing them to consume moderate levels ofroughages.2. Bacteria are present in the cecum to digest roughages.3. ALL other animals have a cecum but don’t use them

Digestive ProcessDigestion is the process by which food particles are broken

down into nutrients. The five processes involved in digestion are:1. Mechanical digestion begins in the mouth

where food is chewed and broken down intosmaller pieces. Poultry have no teeth but use agizzard to grind and break down food. A gizzard is a muscular structure of the esophagus that contains grit.

2. Peristalsis is a muscular contraction of the digestive system that causes food to move through the digestive tract. Peristalsis occurs as a wavelike movement.

MORE DIGESTIVE PROCESSES3. Chemical digestion

involves enzymes and acids to reduce food particle size and change

food particles into forms that the animal can use. Some chemical digestion occurs in the mouth with saliva, but most chemical digestion take place in the stomach and small intestines.

4. Absorption is the process by which nutrients move from the digestive

tract into the bloodstream. It takes place mainly in small intestine. Absorption occurs through the processes of…..

Osmosis and diffusion-- Nutrients diffuse (ormove) from an area of high concentration to anarea of low concentration – from the digestivetract to the bloodstream.

THE PROCESS….5. Metabolism is the process that removes nutrients from the bloodstream and allows different organs of the body to use nutrients. Metabolism is responsible for growth of bone, muscle, fat, skin and hair. It maintains body temperature and proper functioning of organs.

Nutrition:Nutrition is receiving a proper and balanced food and water ration so that the animal can grow, maintain its body, reproduce, and produce.

NutrientsNutrients are substances or ingredients that are part of the diet of an animal that help maintain good health and promote growth.a. Proteinsb. Carbohydratesc. Fatsd. Mineralse. Vitaminsf. Water

The Feed Label:The label on a bag of animal feed is packed with

usefuland often misleading information. The trick is to beable to read between the lines. To do that you mustknow what to look for on any feed label.

The AAFCO (American Association of Feed ControlOfficials) is an agency that develops and maintainsstandards of uniformity for all aspects of animal

feedproduction and sales. They dictate what

informationmust be provided on the feed label.

PARTS OF A FEED LABELParts of the Feed Label1. Manufacturer’s name2. The name of the product3. Phone number/address where manufacturer canbe contacted4. Net weight of the product5. Guaranteed analysis

Must contain the minimum percentage ofcrude protein and crude fat, and the maximumpercentage of crude fiber and moisture.

6. Ingredient panelIngredients are listed in order from theingredient that is most abundant by weight tothe least abundant by weight.

7. Nutritional claim8. Feeding guidelines and directions9. Expiration date10. Special features

PRODUCT MARKETING

1. Nutritional value• This is a valid tool if the information is basedon scientific fact.

2. All purpose• This is one of the most common advertisingConcepts It is based on the idea that one food isadequate for all stages of the animal’s life

• Scientific evidence shows that an animal’snutritional needs change during variousstages of life; therefore it is likely that thenutritional claims are false

3. Price• Can be very misleading.• The best way to evaluate the cost is toConduct a cost per feeding analysis.• You get what you pay for! Low priceusually equals low quality!

4. Palatability• Palatability is the primary characteristic bywhich most animal owners judge a food.• It does not relate to nutritional value.• Gimmicks like “let the pet decide” are usedto induce a consumer to purchase a particular food.

• Palatability Factorsa. Odorb. People foodc. Saltd. Temperaturee. Texture

Prescription foods

Hills science diet Mobility- J/D Renal Health- K/D Bladder health- C/D Sensitive stomach- I/D Skin and coat health- D/D & Z/D Thyroid health-Y/D

Only cats! Cardiac health- H/D Aging & alertness- B/D And many others

-Must be prescribed by a vet- can be used for various ailments

ANALYZING FOOD LABELS

1. Cost Per Feeding Analysis• Determines cost per day and per year• Compares feeds for economical value• The most economical feed may be the more expensive one!

2. Calculating Dry Matter of a Feed• Animal feeds can be dry, semi-moist, or moist.• % Dry Matter = (%Nutrient) / (100% Moisture) x 100• Obtain a dry matter analysis from themanufacturer since this information is notrequired to be printed on the label.

3. Maintenance Energy Requirements (MER)How much an particular animal needs to mantain their weight and lifestyle (amount of food not food quality)

• Maintenance energy is determined inkilocalories per day (Kcal/day). Akilocalorie is the caloric measurementused for metabolic studies. . This is what people referto as a “calorie” when they discuss dietand exercise.

WORKSHEET TIME!