What is it about?
An online questionnaire was distributed to assess the awareness, perceptions, and practices of UK veterinary nurses on managing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalised cats and dogs. It investigated how well veterinary nurses can identify the factors which place a patient at a higher risk of the consequences of malnutrition. The survey also asked participants to rate how satisfied malnutrition is addressed timely, plus how long it takes to intervene and place feeding tubes. Reasons why it is not addressed timely were identified and barriers for addressing malnutrition highlighted. The survey also focusses on the comparison of assessing and addressing nutrition between cats and dogs.
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Why is it important?
The results indicate malnutrition is not addressed in a timely manner and intervention is particularly slower in cats compared to dogs. The respondents were less satisfied that malnutrition is addressed effectively in cats compared to dogs. Similarly, the respondents were less confident at identifying cats at risk of malnutrition compared to dogs. Nutrition facilitates the recovery of cats and dogs from illness therefore ensuring hospitalised patients receive appropriate nutritional intervention is key.
Perspectives
Nutrition is a key element in the health of cats and dogs. I am hopeful this article may generate conversations in practice to enhance the care of hospitalised patients.
Chloe Garbutt-Byers
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Awareness, perceptions and practices of UK veterinary nurses on managing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalised cats and dogs, The Veterinary Nurse, April 2024, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/vetn.2024.15.3.121.
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