Animal Care and Handling
AAH1501
Department of Agriculture and Animal Health
Assignment 01 for Semester 02 (compulsory)
Unique Number 660703
1. Macronutrients do NOT include:
a) Carbohydrates
b) Vitamins
c) Proteins
d) Fats
Refer to page 123 of the study guide:
6.2 CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRIENTS
There are different groups of nutrients:
Macronutrients and micronutrients
Macronutrients are those nutrients which animals consume in the greatest
quantities, and which provide energy. An animal needs energy for normal body
functions as well as for any activity it does. The energy an animal requires is provided
by the fats, proteins and carbohydrates it ingests.
Micronutrients are needed in much smaller quantities to help in the body’s
metabolic processes. They include most vitamins and minerals.
2. Orphaned puppies and kittens should be kept at an ambient temperature of:
a) 18-21°C
b) 21-24°C
c) 25-28°C
d) 28-32°C
Refer to page 169 of the study guide:
8.2.1 Care of orphan puppies and kittens
If for some reason the bitch or queen cannot look after her pups or kittens, you will have to
raise them. If she has a big litter and cannot produce enough milk for all of them, you will
need to supplement their feeding.
,Puppies and kittens begin to control their own body temperature only once they are a week
old, so they will need to be kept at a temperature of 28 to 32 °C until then. The easiest way
to do this is either to keep them on an electric blanket, or to position an infra-red lamp
about 60 cm above the sleeping area. Make sure that they are able to move away from the
heat source if they become too hot, though. After a week, the ambient temperature can be
gradually reduced. Puppies and kittens that are cold or hungry will be restless andwill cry a
lot.
3. Substances added to fats to prevent rancidity are called:
a) Glycerols
b) Sugars
c) Anti-oxidants
d) Soluble fibres
Refer to page 132 of the study guide:
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant, and is important for reproductive and muscle health. High
levels of this vitamin are found in grains and cereals. Vitamin E is used as an anti-oxidant in
food to prevent fat rancidity. A lack of vitamin E combined with a high fat diet causes
pansteatitis in cats.
4. A lack of Vitamin D can result in:
a) Black tongue disease
b) Thiamine toxicity
c) Rickets
d) Scurvy
Refer to page 132 of the study guide:
Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and bone formation, and maintains the calcium
balance in the blood. It is found only in animal products like oily fish, liver, dairy products
and eggs. Herbivores can produce sufficient vitamin D provided they are exposed to sunlight
at least three times a week. However, dogs and cats need an additional dietary source of
this vitamin. A lack of vitamin D can cause malformation of the bones of young animals (this
condition is called rickets).
5. The following Vitamin helps with the clotting of blood and is therefore a treatment for the
ingestion of rat poison, which causes uncontrolled bleeding:
e) Vitamin A
f) Vitamin B
g) Vitamin D
h) Vitamin K
Refer to page 132 of the study guide:
, Vitamin K is important for the clotting of blood. It is manufactured in sufficient quantities by
bacteria in the animal’s gut.
6. If you are presented with an animal that has been subjected to prolonged starvation, you
should NOT:
a) Feed a diet high in carbohydrates initially
b) Feed a diet high in fat initially
c) Feed a diet high in protein initially
d) Feed frequent small meals initially
Refer to page 184-185 of the study guide:
If an animal is suffering from acute or chronic starvation, it will use up its fat reserves and
protein. Start by feeding it small, frequent meals high in protein and fat. If you feed too
much carbohydrate (starch) too quickly, this can cause problems or even death. This is
known as refeeding syndrome and can affect humans too, as you read in the extract from
Wikipedia at the start of this unit.
7. A product that destroys micro-organisms, but which cannot be used on living tissue such
as wounds is called:
a) An antiseptic
b) A disinfectant
c) A detergent
d) An alkali
Refer to page 215 of the study guide:
Cleaning staff should wear protective rubber gloves, impermeable (waterproof) boots and a
heavy-duty plastic apron for their personal safety and hygiene and to prevent zoonotic
diseases transmitted by animal waste. They should be issued with suitable cleaning
equipment, such as a mop, bucket, fork (if they are working in stables) or spade (if they are
working in kennels), broom, cloths and a wheelbarrow where necessary. They should also
be issued with an effective detergent (cleaning agent) as well as a disinfectant (product that
destroys microorganisms).
An ideal disinfectant:
will destroy intended microorganisms
will decontaminate organic material
works effectively even in dirty, cold water
has quick contact time
is non-toxic
is non-corrosive
is non-staining
has a pleasant smell