Nutritional support of hospitalised animals

Effective nutritional support requires a sound knowledge of both basic and clinical nutrition of dogs and cats as well as familiarity with products and their administration. Management includes the assessment of a patient's nutritional status and estimation of fuel sources. Most starved or stressed patients utilise fatty acids at over 70 per cent kcalME (metabolisable energy) and protein at over 20 per cent kcalME; appropriate diets contain at least 30 per cent kcalME from protein as well as fat. Approximate calorie needs are based on maintenance energy requirements. Enteral nutritional support is superior to parenteral support in most patients as gastrointestinal integrity and enterocyte viability are maintained. Meat-based pet foods, liquid enteral products and nutrient supplements are offered in slurries and via tubes. Management includes careful monitoring of patients and the gradual transition to diets with more complex nutrient sources.