A practical approach to caring for patients with appetite reduction
Abstract
Nutrition is a critical component of caring for and treating small animals and one in which nursing staff play a crucial role. A reduction in appetite should not be considered a normal consequence of illness, therefore it is essential to identify the reasons for this alteration in feeding habits and address the primary underlying disease. It is vital that veterinary nurses utilize their knowledge and skills to assist in the identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, formulation of feeding plans and provision of necessary nutritional support.
Anorexia is defined as a lack of appetite for food (Michel, 2001; Delaney, 2006) with the deleterious effects well documented (Kyriazakis, 2010). Thus the importance of addressing the underlying cause and ensuring sufficient food consumption cannot be overemphasized. Implementation of such nutritional support is one aspect of patient care in which veterinary nurses (VNs) play an integral role (Chan, 2006). Since anorexia is a common clinical problem associated with many systemic diseases (Quimby et al, 2010), one of the challenges frequently encountered by VNs in small animal practice involves encouraging patients to eat. This paper will discuss the nurse's role in caring for animals with a lack of, or reduction in, appetite while also considering the harmful effects of inadequate nutrition and methods used to stimulate appetite.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.