THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION

Learn more about nutritional intervention for feline CKD and how to partner with pet owners to improve adherence to your diagnostic and nutritional recommendations in this discussion, moderated by feline internal medicine specialist Dr. Andy Sparkes, featuring internal medicine specialist Dr. Jessica Quimby and Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® Dr. Lindsey Bullen.

Read how to improve diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome and about its comprehensive management, including nutritional intervention, in this discussion featuring veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Tom Cardy and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Margaret Gruen. Also features remarks about cats and cognitive function.

Feline urolithiasis may decrease quality of life, damage the human-animal bond, and lead to relinquishment or to elective euthanasia of the pet, making effective management crucial. Nutritional intervention is a key component of the management of struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths, the two most common types of uroliths in cats.

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) comprises 55–67% of feline lower urinary tract disease cases. FIC may cause significant morbidity and damage the human-animal bond, which may result in relinquishment of the cat or in elective euthanasia. Nutritional intervention—increasing water intake and feeding therapeutic urinary diets—plays a key role in FIC management.

Struvite and calcium oxalate (CaOx) are the most common uroliths in cats and dogs. What roles do the frequently considered factors of urine pH, diet, and urinary crystals play?

A poor appetite and weight loss are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) making nutritional intervention crucial to successful case management.

Therapeutic protocols are modified when new information becomes available. One recent protocol change concerns antibiotic use for diarrhea. Share this handout with clients to help explain why antibiotic use for diarrhea is not recommended.