Veterinary nutritional assessment: the importance of an interprofessional approach
Abstract
Few pet topics provoke more debate and discussion than pet nutrition. The veterinary healthcare team have a central role as the expert source of information for optimal pet nutrition, with each member capable of playing an important part in providing optimal nutritional support and recommendations. This article provides an important reminder of nutritional assessment and specific dietary recommendations as the fifth vital assessment and an essential part of patient care for every pet at every visit. It also presents the non-branded support materials and practical aids available in the WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit. Using a patient scenario, consideration is given to how nutritional care and support can be enhanced through interprofessional practice.
The impact of nutrition on health and disease is well established. Appropriate diet can help to maintain wellbeing and to prevent diet-related problems, whereas inadequate diet can cause substantial health issues. However, consideration of dietary intake and nutritional assessment is often neglected at the veterinary visit (Vandendriessche et al, 2017; Blees et al, 2022). The reasons for this are numerous and include a lack of perceived knowledge and competence; too tight a schedule or short appointment times with insufficient time for nutritional assessment; and a lack of confidence to discuss diet and nutrition with pet owners (Lumbis and De Scally, 2020).
Omitting the nutritional assessment in a consultation may lead to nutritional risk factors and thus, important patient information being missed. This may mislead or delay the diagnosis and proper treatment. Therefore the routine inclusion of a nutritional assessment of every pet is of vital importance.
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