The underlying cause of FIC is unknown and presentation and clinical signs vary widely. Working with owners to appropriately structure the environment for their cat(s) and providing feeding guidelines to support urinary health and ideal body weight will, at a minimum, increase the cat’s wellbeing.
Keeping the lines of communication open is extremely important when a client is considering feeding a home-prepared diet, whether raw or cooked, to their pets.
Many elements make up a weight management clinic, and setting up these clinics in practice can be very rewarding for all involved. Veterinary nurse–led clinics allow veterinary nurses to use their clinical judgment and obesity knowledge to take responsibility for weight loss programs.
Alternative pet diets such as grain-free and gluten-free might be permeating the market, but educating clients on the components of a balanced pet diet will ward off malnutrition.
No longer is nutritional management limited to diabetes mellitus or renal insufficiency; it now also addresses emotional disorders such as anxiety. A variety of nutritional compounds and supplements that help improve emotional stability in companion animals have been identified.
As niche pet food markets continue to grow, veterinarians are worried they could cause more problems than they could help.
When considering how to best manage and support postoperative surgical cases as it relates to nutritional intervention and gastrointestinal (GI) health, implementing perioperative care strategies can provide a more favorable recovery.
Greater awareness of cachexia will help provide practical approaches to managing body weight and lean body mass in dogs and cats, as well as more directed targets for treatment.
Veterinary teams need to find alternative ways to avoid upsetting their clients and to gain their trust in communicating the best nutritional requirements for their patients.
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.
