Digestive System and Nutrition PDF

## Digestive System and Nutrition ### Vitamins | Vitamin Name | Key Functions | Deficiency | Excess | Food Sources | |---|---|---|---|---| | Vitamin A (retinol) | Vision, cell growth, reproduction, immune function, healthy skin | Eye problems, reproductive failure, skin lesions, poor coat | Joint...

## Digestive System and Nutrition ### Vitamins | Vitamin Name | Key Functions | Deficiency | Excess | Food Sources | |---|---|---|---|---| | Vitamin A (retinol) | Vision, cell growth, reproduction, immune function, healthy skin | Eye problems, reproductive failure, skin lesions, poor coat | Joint abnormalities, poor reproductive performance, weight loss | Liver, fish, carrot, cod liver oil, leafy greens, egg yolks, dairy | | Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) | Absorption & utilization of calcium and phosphorus | Bone disorder, weight loss | Bone abnormalities, calcification of soft tissues, depression, anorexia, lameness | Fatty fish, tinned salmon, eggs, cod liver oil, cheese, yogurt | | Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) | Antioxidant | Muscle weakness, sterility in males, dermatosis, immunodeficiency | Minimally toxic | Short supply in foods | | Vitamin K (menaquinone) | Blood clotting | Increased tendency to bruise & bleed | Minimally toxic | Liver, meat, leafy greens and other vegetables | | Vitamin C (menaquinone) | Antioxidant | Unlikely in healthy dogs | Low toxicity | Fruits, vegetables | | Vitamin B | Work together & help each other to function. | Inflammation of the nerves & heart failure. Blood disorder, part of DNA components | None | Found in most foods | | Choline | Essential for healthy liver function, neurotransmitter | Fatty liver | None | Beef liver & heart, red meats, egg | ### Minerals | Mineral Name | Key Functions | Deficiency | Excess | Food Sources | |---|---|---|---|---| | Calcium | Vital for strong bones & teeths, muscle function, nerve transmission | Bone disorder, lameness, decreased growth, hyperparathyroidism | Severe bone & joint abnormalities | Egg shell, dairy, dark leafy greens, banana | | Phosphorus | Bone structure, construction of cell membranes, energy production | Poor appetite, decreased growth, dull coat, bone disorder | Calcium deficiency, promotes kidney damage | Found in most foods | | Potassium & Sodium | Cellular function, osmotic balance, energy metabolism | Restlessness, muscle paralysis, poor growth, heart & kidney lesions | Incurs only if there is inadequate good quality water available | Meat, fish, dairy, eggs, banana, sweet potato, broccoli | | Magnesium | Healthy heart, bone structure, energy production | Muscle weakness, convulsion seizures, heart conditions | Diarrhea and gas | RMBs, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, bananas, beef heart | | Iron | Helps red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body | Anemia, weakness, listlessness, poor growth, rough coat | Anorexia, deficiencies in zinc, copper & manganese, diarrhea | Red meats, pork, liver, poultry, fish, lentils, leafy green vegetables | | Zinc | Normal growth, reproduction, skin & coat health, wound healing | Skin problems, dry coat, weak immune system, poor reproduction | Iron and copper deficiency | Red meat, poultry, oysters, egg yolks | | Copper | Iron metabolsim, bone growth, immune function, hair pigmentation | Decreased growth, loss of hair pigment, neuromuscular disorders, anemia, bowing of limbs in puppies, lameness, poor movement, reproduction | Liver damage | Beef liver & heart, red meats | | Manganese | Enzyme function, bone and cartilage development | Refusal to eat, poor bodyweight gain | Iron deficiency | Whole grains, cereal | | Selenium | Vital role in reducing cellular damage, support immune response | Swelling of the thyroid gland, hair loss, dry coat, weight gain/loss | Enzyme function, bone and cartilage development | Oysters, fish, pork, whole grains | | Iodine | Essential for thyroid function | Similar to those seen in deficiency | Kelp, iodized salt, fish |