Water: A Comprehensive Guide PDF

WATER - In the stomach and intestines, water is involved in the formation of - A transparent fluid which forms the digestive juices and acids. world’s streams, lakes, oceans, and Roles in...

WATER - In the stomach and intestines, water is involved in the formation of - A transparent fluid which forms the digestive juices and acids. world’s streams, lakes, oceans, and Roles in Nutrient Transport rain - Once nutrients are broken down, - Major constituent of the fluids of water helps transport these nutrients organisms. through the digestive tract and into - Essential nutrient because it is the bloodstream. required in amounts that exceed the - It keeps the digestive tract hydrated body’s ability to produce it due to - It aids in the absorption of nutrients being the largest single constituent. in the intestines. Importance Roles in Temperature Regulation - Among the nutrients indispensable - Regulate body temperature through (essential) for life, water ranks the process of evaporation as sweat second only to oxygen in or transport heat away from organs importance. through blood. - Universal solvent. - Ensures the body remains at an - Organic macronutrients. optimal temperature or homeostasis - Animal body may contain 50%-90% for enzymatic and metabolic water, a loss of about ⅕ th of the processes. body water is considered fatal. - Helps in the excretion of waste - During the period of hibernation, product in the form of urine, faeces, metabolic water keeps the animal and perspiration (sweating) from the alive. animal body. - Acts as a cushion for tissue cells - Helps regulate the balance of and nervous system and protects electrolytes that supports the the various vital organs against effective excretion of waste shock and injuries. products. One half (½ ) to two thirds (⅔ ): body mass of adult animals SOURCES More than 90%: body mass of newborn animals. Three Primary Sources 1. Drinking Water - Directly consumed by animals from It is necessary for their bodily function available sources. such as: - Primary and most obvious source of - Digestion hydration. - Nutrient absorption - Nutrient transportation e.g ( rivers, lakes, ponds, or - Lactation or milk production human-provided troughs and waterers.) - Saliva production - Lubrication 2. Moisture from Feed - Reproduction - through the moisture content in their - Thermoregulation or bodily food. homeostasis - Moisture in food helps reduce the - Medium for chemical reactions overall need for direct drinking water, - Waste excretion especially in environments where - Aids in the hydrolysis of nutrients. water is scarce. (e.g. carbohydrates, fats, and e.g proteins) ( Fresh vegetation: herbivores can obtain moisture from plants, grasses, or fruits. Roles in Digestion Insectivores: animals like birds and - Essential for the breakdown of food. amphibians may get moisture from the - Helps to dissolve nutrients and insect they eat, as it contains water. enzymes Silage for livestock ) 3. Metabolic Water water requirements due to its rapid - Produce internally through growth phases. biochemical breakdown of nutrients 6. Diarrhea (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) - Diarrhea increases water loss: it during metabolism. needs additional water to prevent dehydration and maintain hydration. e.g. (Desert animals) 7. Feed Intake Level - Higher feed intake: leads to Additional Sources increased water consumption. 8. Stress 1. Environmental Moisture (Dew, Fog, and - Stressful conditions: increase water Rain) needs due to stress-induced - Obtain water from environmental physiological changes. sources that collects on surfaces. e.g. (Insects: Certain beetles in desert environments, such as the Namib Desert Water Requirements. beetle, collect water from fog on their bodies Animals Liters and channel it to their mouth.) Poultry, hen 0.5 2. Absorption through Skin - Absorb water directly through their Sheep, Lamb 4 sin from moist environments or Lactating ewe 6 through specialized patches of their skin. Swine, 30kg 6 e.g (frogs, toads, and earthworms) Swine, 60-100kg 8 3. Water from Symbiotic Relationships Lactating sow 14 - Obtain water from their interactions with other organisms. Horse, medium 40 e.g (Some ants “milk” aphids for honeydew, work a sugary substance that contains water.) Lactating horse 50 Lactating beef cow 60 Factors Affecting Maintenance, dairy 60 cow 1. Ambient temperature - Higher temperature: increase water Lactating dairy cow 90 requirements 2. Physiological State (e.g. Dry or Swine and Poultry Lactating) 1. Should be provided on ad libitum basis, - Lactating animals have significantly and generally consume twice as much higher requirements due to milk water as dry feed. production. a. 2:1 - Minimum, and wider ratios are - Dry animals have lower water needs needed for young and lactating compared to those in lactation. swine. 3. Dietary Salt & Protein b. The ratio may increase to approx. - High salt and protein in the diets: 5:1 during the summer or when increase water requirements. environmental temperatures are 4. Type of Diets high. - Moisture content of the diet affects 2. Broilers ↑ water consumption ≈ 7%/each water needs. 1̊C ↑ the temperature above 21̊C. - Animal on dry feed(e.g. dry grain) require more water compared to 3. Swine- daily feed intake is the best those on moist feed (e.g. fresh indicator of ad libitum water intake for ad forages or silage) libitum–fed pigs. 5. Stage of Growth and/or Body Size a. Water (L/d)= 0.149 + (3.053 x kg dry - Growing animals and larger body feed) sizes animals generally need more water. Young animals have higher  b. Water (L/d)= 0.788 + (2.23 x kg dry Common Symptoms feed) + (0.367 x kg body weight x 0.6) - Lethargy - Significant weight loss - Pale gums Water Deficiency - Chemical-like smell breath - Lack of appetite Dehydration - Vomiting - General term for when more fluid is - Unstable water intake and urine lost than taken in the body. volume Dairy and beef cattle: eyes appear sunken - Mouth ulcers and dull, near cessation of milk production. - Uncoordinated movement Horses: reduced skin elasticity; skin stands - Bloody urine for several seconds after being pinched. - Intestinal seizures Swine: thirst, constipation, skin irritation, lack of appetite, nervousness, apparent Seizures deafness and blindness. - Dehydration may also involve loss of Other signs: lethargy, weight loss, fussing / electrolytes such as potassium and restlessness, not showing signs of estrus, sodium, that regulate the distribution struggling when defecating hard, round balls of water throughout the body. of manure, licking water off the ground. - They maintain the balance of fluids Mild to moderate cases can usually be by carrying electrical signals from reversed; severe dehydration needs cell to cell. immediate medical attention, and may lead - These electrical signals could get to any of the complications listed below. disrupted by the imbalance of electrolytes and fluids, leading to Heat Injury involuntary muscle contractions and - Loss of water due to heavy loss of consciousness. perspiration from vigorous exercise or exposure to high temperature. Symptoms: unusual barking, a blank or - Severity ranges from mild heat dazed look, drooling or foaming at the cramps to heat exhaustion mouth, loss of bodily control (twitching), (hyperthermia), or life-threatening fainting. heatstroke Signs and symptoms: heavy and rapid Hypovolemic Shock breathing, hot skin, excessive drooling, dry mucous membranes, muscle spasms - Occurs when the body loses (cramps), dry and sticky gums, discoloration excessive amounts of fluid (such as or bruising of gums, bright red tongue, blood or water) and salt; abnormally lethargy. low extracellular fluid in the body. - Low blood volume → low blood Urinary and Kidney Problems pressure → low amount of oxygen - Prolonged or repeated bouts of - The transport of oxygen throughout dehydration may lead to this. the body is impaired, leading to - UTIs are a risk; the urine becomes organ damage. more concentrated, the urinary tract - A common problem in small animal becomes more susceptible to emergency medicine. bacterial growth, and the immune system is weakened. Symptoms (dogs): fast heart rate - Kidney stones may be formed due to (tachycardia), rapid and shallow breathing reduced production of urine, which (tachypnea), cool extremities, delayed concentrates it - less water, more capillary refill time, pale pink to white particles. mucous membranes, decreased pulse - Supersaturation of the suspended pressure, altered mental state. minerals and particles may form hard, solid crystals in the urinary tract. - These complications could lead to kidney failure. Excess Water Intake - If not treated, the animal could have seizures, fall into a coma, and Overhydration ultimately die. - General term for when there is too much water in the body. - The body’s water content is more than the amount that the kidneys can excrete. - May lead to electrolyte imbalance. - Overhydration can be a result of drinking too much water or the kidneys retaining too much water. - Usually presents through clear pee. - Some disorders could affect the body's ability to retain and excrete water. Normal kidneys are usually capable of excreting any excess water. - Overhydration can lead to water toxicity, also known as water poisoning. Water toxicity - Water intoxication, poisoning, toxemia, or hyperhydration. - Excessive water in the body can dilute the electrolytes in the blood, causing hyponatremia (low sodium levels in blood) - When sodium levels drop, fluid outside of the cells travel to the inside of the cells, making them swell (osmolarity; ECF is hypotonic as it has less sodium) - Some organs (ex. liver) can accommodate the increased volume of swollen cells; but the brain cannot, as it is encased in bone. - When the brain cells swell, the pressure inside the skull increases and the central nervous system begins to malfunction. The first symptoms of water intoxication include: headaches, nausea, vomiting - If the cells swell too much, they may eventually burst; this causes a buildup of fluid in the brain (cerebral edema). Severe symptoms include: lethargy, muscle weakness or cramping, hypertension, bradycardia (low heart rate), dilated pupils, pale gums, drooling, restlessness, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and bloating.