Nutrition

Selecting appropriate diets for management of chronic enteropathies

Nutritional assessment starts with the collection of a detailed diet and medical history, a thorough physical examination and evaluation of diagnostic findings. For both dogs and cats, it is essential...

Figure 4. A naso-oesophageal tube in place. Note the fabric Elizabethan collar.

Managing the inappetent hospitalised cat: International Society of Feline Medicine guidelines

Cats have some unique nutritional requirements that differ from dogs, and these peculiarities relate to their origins as hunters, but also render them vulnerable to the negative effects of...

Dietary hyperthyroidism in a dog with epileptic seizures

Hyperthyroidism is rare in dogs compared to cats. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in dogs is a functional thyroid tumour, either benign or malignant, whereas cats and humans are more often...

Figure 1. Body condition scoring chart for dogs.

Malnutrition in dogs and cats

There is clear evidence that malnourished people have poorer outcomes in a number of diseases. There is similar evidence in canine and feline medicine to support the notion that malnourished patients...

Figure 1. Nutrition should be discussed at every opportunity during growth to ensure that the puppy is receiving adequate nutrition. Photo of the author's dog at a puppy check appointment.

CPD article: Puppy nutrition: weaning and beyond

Weaning is an important life stage for puppies. It is a high-risk time for them (Grellet et al, 2012) and must be managed carefully. At 4 weeks of age, the dam's milk no longer provides all the...

Figure 1. Pruritus tends to be generalised but is often directed at the ears and feet (as well as abdomen).

Cutaneous adverse food reactions in the dog and cat – what's new?

The true prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats is unknown. A critically appraised review of more than 30 articles describing these reactions in dogs and cats found that,...

Figure 1. In contrast to dogs, where the optimum macronutrient profile of a gastrointestinal diet is reduced in fat and high in highly digestible carbohydrates, the desirable nutrient profile for feline gastrointestinal diets is high protein, moderate fat and relatively low in carbohydrates. (Nestle Purina Nutrition Exchange, 2019)

Nutritional management of feline chronic enteropathy

Three dietary options can be considered when trying to diagnose a food-responsive chronic enteropathy or selecting a diet that may help support a cat with chronic enteropathy (Box 1):.