Small Animal Nutrition: Intro

Question 1

what does an efficient approach to obtaining a comprehensive nutritional history involve? (2)

Answer 1

1. verbal communication (incorporate nonverbal cues as well)
2. written communication strategies (nutritional assessments)

Question 2

what are the 4 broad factors of a nutritional history?

Answer 2

1. patient factors
2. diet factors
3. environmental factors
4. human factors

Question 3

what goes into the patient factors of a nutritional history (3)?

Answer 3

1. signalment (age, breed, sex)
2. physical exam (weight, BCS, MCS)
3. medical history (conditions, meds/supplements, appetite, fecal score and GI habits, urination habits)

Question 4

what goes into the diet factors of a nutritional history? (3)

Answer 4

1. base food: commercial or homemade
2. treats: commercial or homemade
   (for 1 and 2 evaluate brand, product name amount, frequency, how long fed (commercial) or specific ingredients, prep, amount, frequency, how long fed (homemade)
3. patient preference: preferred base food or treats, food not readily consumed/does not tolerate

Question 5

what goes into the environmental factors of a nutritional history? (3)

Answer 5

1. a day in the life of your patient: daily schedule, indoor vs outdoor, access to trash/compost
2. other pets: in household or interactions, access to/competition for each other’s food
3. activity: specific daily activity, type of work/exercise, routine outings

Question 6

what goes into the human factors of a nutritional history?

Answer 6

owner opinions on
1. physical exam: overconditioned, underconditioned, or ideal? concerns regarding skin coat, breath, lameness?
2. medical history: concerns regarding a medical condition or medication/supplement adherence challenges
3. nutritional history and environment: concerns/information related to nutrition, what humans live in home, who feeds and gives treats, if care is provided outside home

Question 7

what kind of questions are key to efficiently obtaining a comprehensive nutritional history?

Answer 7

open-ended questions and those nutritional assessment forms

Question 8

what steps are taken after a nutritional assessment is obtained?

Answer 8

develop a nutrition support plan (could be “keep up the god work” if no alteration needed”) and monitor

Question 9

what should be considered during a nutritional assessment?

Answer 9

risk factors! should be used during complete assessment and when formulating next steps