References
Use of veterinary diets for dogs and cats hospitalized at a veterinary university clinic in Sweden
Abstract
Background:
Few scientific studies have reported on the use of veterinary diets.
Aim:
To examine how many of the dogs and cats were given diets suitable for their medical conditions and how they complied with the diet both at the clinic and at home.
Methods:
Five days recording of dietary intake at a Swedish university animal clinic, and a combined mail and telephone questionnaire to owners 6 months later.
Results:
The most common type of disease seen in dogs and cats hospitalized at the university clinic at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is gastrointestinal problems (44 and 46% of the dogs and cats, respectively). Dogs have more oncology problems and individuals that have been poisoned, while cats suffer from more urological problems. At the clinic, a total of 56 and 85% of the dogs and cats, respectively, were put on veterinary diets. When discharged 43 and 32% of dogs and cats, respectively, were prescribed a veterinary diet. Most owners (92%) stated that they believed the veterinary diet had positively influenced the health of the animal.
Conclusion:
Veterinary clinics should put more focus on the fact that the diet plays an mportant role in the recovery of the animal both at the clinic and at home.
Feeds intended for special nutritional needs, also called veterinary diets, are often given to animals to prevent, reduce symptoms and/or cure disease. The recovery of a patient is partly dependent on whether the animal will eat or not, and also whether the animal is fed an optimal and balanced diet intended for the actual disease. Today, with increasing education and awareness of the importance of nutrition, veterinary nurses play an important role in the care of patients with specific nutritional needs.
In 1991, Donoghue commented on a university clinic in Pennsylvania (USA) that worked extensively with clinical nutrition; the clinic employed a specialist in nutrition, whose knowledge was available to other staff members and animal owners. In addition, the nutritional status of patients was assessed by a clinical examination, feeding history, and a body condition assessment (BCS). In 1994, Donogue emphasized that the primary goal of nutritional support of hospitalized dogs and cats is to minimize loss of tissue protein. Even simple surgical procedures or head injuries were shown to increase the energy needs of patients by 5–10% and 200%, respectively, compared with healthy animals.
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