CVA Animal Nutrition and Feeding 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which feeding strategy is most appropriate for a hospitalized cat that has not eaten voluntarily for 3 days?
- Force feeding large amounts at once
- Syringe feeding small frequent amounts or placing a feeding tube (Correct answer)
- Withholding food to stimulate appetite
- Offering only water until discharge
Correct answer: Syringe feeding small frequent amounts or placing a feeding tube
Cats that anorexic for more than 3 days are at risk for hepatic lipidosis; assisted feeding via syringe or feeding tube provides essential nutrition safely.
Question 2: What does 'complete and balanced' mean on a commercial pet food label?
- The food contains all flavors a pet prefers
- The food meets all known nutrient requirements for the stated life stage (Correct answer)
- The food has equal amounts of protein and carbohydrates
- The food has been tested only for palatability
Correct answer: The food meets all known nutrient requirements for the stated life stage
A 'complete and balanced' claim means the food has been formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or has passed AAFCO feeding trials for the labeled life stage.
Question 3: Which vitamin is fat-soluble and can accumulate to toxic levels if over-supplemented?
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin A (Correct answer)
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Correct answer: Vitamin A
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and stored in the liver; excessive supplementation causes hypervitaminosis A, leading to bone and joint abnormalities.
Question 4: A veterinary assistant is setting up a nasoesophageal (NE) tube for nutritional support. Where should the tube tip be positioned?
- In the stomach
- In the lower esophagus, just cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter (Correct answer)
- In the trachea
- In the pharynx
Correct answer: In the lower esophagus, just cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter
NE tubes are positioned in the distal esophagus to deliver liquid nutrition while minimizing esophageal irritation and aspiration risk.
Question 5: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are primarily beneficial for which condition in dogs?
- Urinary tract infections
- Inflammatory conditions and skin/coat health (Correct answer)
- Dental disease
- Intestinal parasites
Correct answer: Inflammatory conditions and skin/coat health
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have anti-inflammatory properties and support skin barrier function and coat quality.
Question 6: What is the purpose of calculating a patient's Resting Energy Requirement (RER)?
- To determine the pet's ideal body weight only
- To estimate baseline caloric needs for vital functions at rest (Correct answer)
- To calculate the maximum amount of treats allowed
- To determine protein percentage in the diet
Correct answer: To estimate baseline caloric needs for vital functions at rest
RER estimates the calories needed to maintain basic physiologic functions at rest and serves as the basis for calculating actual energy requirements.
Question 7: Which dietary modification is most appropriate for a dog diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
- High protein, high phosphorus diet
- Restricted phosphorus and high-quality moderate protein diet (Correct answer)
- High sodium, high fat diet
- Unlimited protein with added calcium supplementation
Correct answer: Restricted phosphorus and high-quality moderate protein diet
Phosphorus restriction slows CKD progression, and moderate high-quality protein reduces uremic waste while maintaining muscle mass.
CVA Animal Nutrition and Feeding 2
Which feeding strategy is most appropriate for a hospitalized cat that has not eaten voluntarily for 3 days?