Nutrition

It can be challenging to find nutraceuticals that do what their manufacturers say they do — here’s what’s behind the hype of probiotics and prebiotics.

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are one of the leading causes for which pets present to veterinary hospitals. When managing a patient nutritionally, the health care team should be knowledgeable of key nutritional factors and their impact.

MEETING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS Nutrition is an important component of the hospitalized patient’s treatment plan. Nutrition is vitally important to the hospitalized patient. Unfortunately, the nutritional needs of hospitalized patients are often overlooked. Doctors’ orders might not include specific feeding instructions. Patients may be unwilling or unable to eat or may not be consuming adequate calories …

The average puppy or kitten enters its new home between 7 and 9 weeks of age. During the subsequent months, the veterinary team must impart a strong nutritional foundation to help to support the growth and development of the patient throughout this demanding period. Puppies and kittens are gradually weaned from the mother’s mature milk …

Diet selection and growth rate management are equally critical in preventing developmental orthopedic disease in growing large-breed dogs.

This article examines the important role microbiota plays in the development, immune regulation, and maintenance of an animal’s GI health.

This article was originally published in the July/August 2012 “Today’s Technician” column of Today’s Veterinary Practice. Today’s Veterinary Practice is the NAVC’s official, peer-reviewed journal for veterinarians. You can find the full list of “Today’s Technician” articles on the Today’s Veterinary Practice website. Pet nutrition is big business. In a competitive market, veterinary practices need to …

Canine parvovirus is a longstanding nemesis of veterinary professionals. Learn why enteral feeding benefits patients with this common disease and how to measure, place, and use nasoesophageal and nasogastric tubes.

Mental stimulation can benefit pets’ health in many ways. Feeding puzzles provide not only environmental enrichment, but also a fun way to control food portions. Get suggestions for how to use—and build!—feeding puzzles.