Calcium
and phosphorus are involved in the structure and strength
of teeth and bones.
Calcium is also needed for the normal
clotting of blood and for nerve and muscle function.
Phosphorus is involved in the storage
and transfer of energy in the body
The balance
between these two elements is important, as well as
the individual concentrations in the diet.
Calcium deficiency - causes skeletal
deformities and lameness in the growing animal. In
a lactating bitch there can arise hypocalcaemia, causing
eclampsia, with nervous disturbances.
High levels of calcium and phosphorus
can also potentially cause problems in the growing
dog
Magnesium
(Mg)
Magnesium
is required for healthy bones and teeth, for the normal
day to day functioning of the heart, muscle and nervous
tissue, and is also involved in many enzyme reactions
in the body
A deficiency
can cause muscle weakness, although his is rare in practice.
A very high intake has been associated with an increased
incidence of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Potassium
(K)
Necessary
for energy metabolism, nerve and muscle function and
the control of the osmotic balance of body fluids
Deficiency
is very rare, but could potentially lead to muscle weakness
and poor growth, as well s damage to heart and kidneys
Sodium
(Na) and
Chloride (Cl-)
Important
for the regulation of body fluids
A deficiency
can cause exhaustion, fatigue, an inability to maintain
water balance, retarded growth, dry skin and hair
loss.
An excess will cause a greater than
normal intake of fluid.
Present in
haemoglobin (in the blood) and myoglobin (muscle), as
well as in enzymes involved in cell respiration
A deficiency
can cause weakness and fatigue, and too much anorexia
and weight loss in dogs
Copper (Cu)
Involved in
the normal activity of red blood cells and many enzyme
systems
A deficiency
can cause anaemia due to poor absorption of iron.
Too much copper can be toxic, causing
anaemia due to competition between copper and iron for
absorption sites in the intestine.
Copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers
is an inherited condition, and this may also affect
other breeds, including West Highland White Terriers
and Dobermans. For these breeds foods with a high copper
content should be avoided
Zinc (Zn)
Essential for
maintaining a good coat and skin, and an essential component
of many enzyme systems. Requirements can be affected by
other components of the diet.
A deficiency
can lead to poor growth, anorexia, emaciation, skin lesions
and testicular atrophy.
Iodine (I)
Iodine is an
essential component of thyroid hormones, and therefore
concerned with the body's metabolism.
A deficiency
produces the characteristic goitre, but can also affect
the skin and hair, cause apathy and drowsiness and affect
reproduction.
Too much has a similar affect on the
body to a deficiency
Selenium
(Se)
Has important
antioxidant properties by protecting the cell membranes,
in association with vitamin E
In dogs, one
possible effect of a Selenium deficiency is degeneration
of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Toxic in large doses,
there is a fairly fine line between normal and toxic doses
Manganese
(Mn)
Required for
carbohydrate and fat metabolism and cartilage formation
as well as any enzyme reactions
A deficiency
can cause defective growth and reproduction, as well as
affecting fat metabolism.
Cobalt (Co)
An important
constituent of the vitamin B12 molecule
A deficiency
is very unlikely if the diet contains sufficient vitamin
B12
Vitamins are mainly concerned with the regulation
of the body processes. As the body is unable to synthesise
most vitamins, they must be present in the diet. Vitamins
can be either fat or water-soluble. In a healthy pet there
is no requirement for vitamin C.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin
A
Important for
proper vision, healthy skin and coat, mucous membranes,
and normal bone and teeth development.
Deficiencies
are uncommon, but can affect the eyes and susceptibility
to infection.
Is toxic in large doses, causing amongst
other problems, liver failure.
Vitamin
D
Synthesised
in the skin through exposure to sunlight, and involved
with the absorption of calcium in the intestine.
Deficiencies
are rare, but can cause rickets. In large doses is toxic.
Vitamin
E
Protects the
cell membranes against oxidation, acting with Selenium.
In cats, a
deficiency can cause a painful inflammatory condition
of the body fat, called pansteatitis.
Vitamin
K
Required for
the regulation of clotting in the blood.
A deficiency
is rare.
Thiamin
(Vitamin B1)
Involved in
the metabolism of carbohydrates.
A deficiency
can produce anorexia and neurological disorders
Riboflavin
(Vitamin B2)
Essential for
cell growth
A deficiency
can lead to skin disorders, eye lesions and testicular
hypoplasia.
Pantathenic
acid
Essential for
carbohydrate, fat and amino acid metabolism.
A deficiency,
which is unlikely can lead to depressed growth, fatty
liver, gastrointestinal disturbances, convulsions, coma
and death.
Niacin
Required for
oxidation-reduction reactions necessary for the utilisation
of all the major nutrients.
A deficiency
in dogs and cats causes blacktongue - inflammation and
ulceration of the oral cavity.
Vitamin
B6
Involved with
nitrogen and amino acid metabolism.
A deficiency
can cause anorexia, weight loss and anaemia. Can cause
irreversible kidney damage in cats.
Biotin
Important for
the skin and hair, and involved in the metabolism of fats
and amino acids.
A deficiency,
which is unlikely can lead to dry, scaly skin, pruritus
and skin ulcers. However long term use of oral antibiotics
can induce a deficiency.
Folic acid
Important for
a number of reactions in the body, including the maturation
of red blood cells in bone marrow.
A deficiency
is unlikely, but can lead to anaemia and leucopenia.
Vitamin
B12
Involved in
the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat, and in the synthesis
of myelin
A deficiency
can lead to pernicious anaemia
Choline
Essential for
the maintenance of cell membranes, and a precursor of
acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter chemical
