Health and Nutrition Flashcards
7 cards from real ARC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Health and Nutrition flashcards as text
Which vitamin deficiency in rescued cats most commonly causes blindness and reproductive failure?
Answer: Vitamin A
Cats cannot synthesize Vitamin A and must obtain it from their diet; deficiency leads to blindness, skin lesions, and reproductive failure.
A rescued dog arrives severely emaciated. What feeding approach minimizes the risk of refeeding syndrome?
Answer: Small, frequent meals starting at 25% of calculated caloric needs
Refeeding syndrome occurs when metabolically starved animals receive too many calories too quickly, causing dangerous electrolyte shifts; gradual reintroduction at 25% of needs is safest.
What is the primary role of taurine in feline nutrition?
Answer: Supports heart function and retinal health
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats that is critical for cardiac muscle function and retinal photoreceptor maintenance; deficiency causes dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness.
Which of the following foods is toxic to both dogs and cats and should never be given to rescued animals?
Answer: Xylitol-containing peanut butter
Xylitol causes rapid insulin release in dogs leading to hypoglycemia and liver failure; it is also toxic to cats and must be avoided in all rescue animals.
A malnourished rabbit rescue shows signs of GI stasis. What is the most critical nutritional intervention?
Answer: Ensure access to unlimited grass hay immediately
Grass hay provides the fiber necessary to restore gut motility in rabbits; it must form the bulk of the diet to prevent life-threatening GI stasis.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with severe diarrhea in rescued animals?
Answer: Hypokalemia (low potassium)
Prolonged diarrhea causes significant potassium loss through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to hypokalemia, which can cause muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.
What is the recommended protein content range (dry matter basis) for adult maintenance dog food in rescue settings?
Answer: 18–25%
AAFCO guidelines recommend a minimum of 18% protein on a dry matter basis for adult dog maintenance, with 18–25% being appropriate for healthy rescue dogs.