Senior nutrition: Do old dogs and cats need new tricks?

Presented by Tammy J Owens, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVN

Continuing education questionnaire

CE credit: 1

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Name

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Questions

1. AAFCO regulates the definition of senior pet nutrition by setting minimum and maximum values for essential nutrients in pets over 7 years old and guidelines for the inclusion of important non-essential nutrients associated with increased longevity. *

True

False

2. Energy requirements of dogs and cats as they age can be influenced by: *

Changes in body composition.

Changes in protein and fat digestion.

Both answers above.

Aging does not influence energy needs which stay constant throughout adulthood.

3. What statement correctly describes sarcopenia? *

Age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function

Muscle loss driven by the presence of disease

Decreased frailty and mortality in dogs and cats

Longest-lived dogs experienced the fastest loss of lean body mass

4. What important factors should be included in a senior pet evaluation? *

5. In the Labrador lifetime study, when compared to the ‘overweight group’ (mean BCS 6.7/9), the group that maintained an ideal body condition score (mean 4.6/9) did NOT: *

Have an increased survival time by 18 months.

Have a quicker onset of sarcopenia with aging.

Have delayed onset to age-related diseases.

Have fewer dogs develop osteoarthritis.

6. What factor does not influence protein quality? *

Amount

Digestibility

Amino acid profile

Biological value

7. Relating to the anti-inflammatory omega-3 PUFAs, EPA + DHA, which of the following statement is untrue? *

Reduce cardiac cachexia in dogs

Improve survival in dogs with chronic kidney disease

Reduce muscle breakdown in people

Terrestrial (e.g., plant) and marine (e.g., fish) oils are equally concentrated sources

8. Bifidobacteria species have been shown to decrease in the gastrointestinal tract of senior cats and dogs. *

True

False

9. Oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species: *

Triggers repair of fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis.

Decreases inflammatory precursors in cell membranes.

Contributes to sarcopenia and shortening telomeres.

Causes DNA damage which lengthens telomeres.

10. Causes DNA damage which lengthens telomeres. 10. Unbalanced food, such as treats, should make up less than what percent of the pet’s daily calorie intake? *

10%

15%

20%