On-Demand: Nutritional Management of Canine Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease

Course overview

Gastrointestinal disorders are very common in veterinary practice and nutrition is a very important aspect of case management. Over 55-60% of patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders will be diet responsive. In order to design the best nutrition plan, it is important to do a thorough patient assessment by collecting a thorough diet history, performing a thorough physical examination and completing appropriate diagnostic tests. This will help localize the affected portion of the gastrointestinal tract (small bowel, large bowel, pancreas) and design Thoughtful diet trials. Key nutritional factors for diet selection should be including diet digestibility, protein, fat and fiber as well as calorie density and micronutrients. Many diet options are now available for management of gastrointestinal disorders utilizing different strategies including highly digestible, lower fat, fiber enriched, and novel or hydrolyzed protein. In some cases, supplements or medications are appropriate, but unnecessary antibiotic use should be avoided. Cases will be presented to highlight nutritional assessment, optimal dietary management and recommended follow up.