Plus-Hex CLINICAL
In certain disease conditions , the prescription of a therapeutic veterinary diet may be considered more appropriate than a senior life-stage diet and can have a profound effect on the clinical course and prognosis of the disease . Animals who present with multiple seemingly competing or conflicting comorbidities can prove challenging . A thorough nutritional assessment should ensure that minimum nutrient requirements are being met . Rapid instigation of nutritional support is indicated if dietary intake is insufficient to maintain weight .
For those animals that successfully maintaining weight , prioritisation should be given to dietary management of the condition that is most progressive , responsible for impairing quality of life and / or imparting the poorest prognosis . Where possible , nutrients of concern for the other condition ( s ) should also be addressed ( Churchill , 2018 ).
Advancing age , alone , is not a reason to change the diet , and this should not be a routine recommendation for older animals that are healthy , in optimal body condition and already eating an appropriate diet ( Fascetti , 2010 ; Laflamme , 2012 ; Wortinger & Burns , 2015 ). Once a nutritional plan has been determined and implemented , frequent patient monitoring and nutritional assessment is required , with appropriate modification to achieve the desired effect . It is also important to consider potential adjustments to feeding management , such as raising the height of food and water bowls ( Figure 1 ) and making appropriate changes to account for alterations in the sense of taste and / or smell .
Optimising the role of the veterinary nurse in nutritionrelated education and support
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses ( VNs ) are leading authorities on pet nutrition and health care ( Laflamme et al ., 2008 ; Michel et al ., 2008 ; Freeman et al ., 2013 ; Connolly et al ., 2014 ; Schleicher et al ., 2019 ) and should be considered the most important source of information for pet owners .
However , factors such as limited consultation time often impact on our ability to provide this and we are rapidly losing ground to other media ( Schleicher et al ., 2019 ). It is therefore essential to build rapport and establish and maintain good relations with clients in order to become the primary and trusted source of animal-related nutritional advice and education .
It is also important to consider whether the practice is nutrition-friendly . For example :
• Does it have defined standards of nutritional care ?
• Are there established processes and protocols in place to create , reinforce , remind / support and follow up on nutritional recommendations ?
• Does the veterinary healthcare team collectively and effectively convey the importance of optimal pet nutrition to clients ?
• If client footfall in the practice is low , are other communication methods , such as the practice website or social media sites , being sufficiently utilised ?
Understanding owners ' reasons for the diet selection and feeding practices they choose for their pets , as well as behaviours and attitudes influencing their decision making , is essential to facilitate better communication on appropriate dietary choices for pets .
Combining verbal provision of nutrition-related advice with other formats , such as handwritten or electronic instructions , can help reiterate a dietary recommendation and enhance compliance ( Wayner , 2012 ; Wilson , 2013 ).
Figure 1 . It is important to consider any potential adjustments to the feeding management of senior pets , such as raising the height of food and water bowls .
It is important for VNs to be involved in the nutritionevaluation process when they have knowledge and skills in both nutritional concepts and communication ( Freeman et al ., 2011 ). There are many intrinsic and economic benefits to be gained through appropriate delegation and the provision of VN-led consultations and client education , not only in relation to diet and nutrition but also for other aspects of pet health and welfare .
Volume 37 ( 4 ) • September 2022
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