Diet and nutrition are essential aspects of veterinary care. Proper care and feeding of companion animals can improve health outcomes and help to prevent disease. Meeting the altered dietary needs of a sick animal can facilitate recovery and improve quality of life. For veterinary technicians, nurses, and other veterinary practitioners, a working knowledge of companion animal nutrition is an essential component of overall patient care.

Nutrition and Disease Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses offers an accessible, up-to-date introduction to the key concepts and elements of veterinary nutrition. With detailed coverage of the fundamentals of veterinary nutrition in addition to the nutritional management for many common small animal diseases, the third edition incorporates all the essentials of veterinary nutrition and dietary management for veterinary patients of any age or health status.

Readers of the third edition of Nutrition and Disease Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses will also find:

Nutrition and Disease Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is ideal for all veterinary technician students, working veterinary technicians, nurses, and students working towards specialty certification in veterinary nutrition.

Preface xxiii

Acknowledgments xxv

About the Companion Website xxvii

1 Nutrients and Energy 3

2 Water 11

3 Carbohydrates 15

4 Fats 21

5 Protein and Amino Acids 27

6 Vitamins 33

7 Minerals 47

8 Digestion and Absorption 55

9 Energy Balance 61

10 Gastrointestinal Microbiome 69

11 Prebiotics, Probiotics and Synbiotics 77

12 Nutrition Calculations 83

13 History and Regulation of Pet Foods 91

14 Pet Food Labels 97

 

Other Label Claims 104

References 104

15 Nutrient Content of Pet Foods 105

16 Types of Pet Foods 113

17 Raw Food Diets 121

18 Grain-Free and Boutique Diets 127

19 Additives and Pet Food Preservatives 133

20 Homemade Diets 141

21 Resources for Alternative Diets 147

22 Feeding Regimens for Dogs and Cats 153

23 Nutritional Assessment 163

24 Pregnancy and Lactation in Dogs 173

25 Pregnancy and Lactation in Cats 179

26 Neonatal Puppies and Kittens 185

27 Growth in Dogs 191

28 Growth in Cats 199

29 Adult Maintenance in Dogs 205

30 Adult Maintenance in Cats 213

31 Feeding the Healthy Geriatric Dog and Cat 221

32 Performance and Dogs 227

33 Feeding Requirements of Cats 235

34 Nutrition Myths 241

35 Cost of Feeding 247

36 Nutritional Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders 251

37 Critical Care Nutrition 261

38 Assisted Feeding in Dogs and Cats 269

39 Liver Disease 281

40 Dermatology 289

41 Fatty Acids in Disease Management 299

42 Endocrinology 307

43 Cancer Nutrition 315

44 Refeeding Syndrome 323

45 Cardiac Disease 329

46 Musculoskeletal 339

47 Weight Management 351

48 Cachexia 361

49 Dental Health 367

50 Nutritional Management of Pancreatitis 379

51 Nutrition in Pancreatic Insufficiency 385

52 Nutritional Management of Hyperlipidemia in Dogs and Cats 391

53 Brain Aging/Cognitive Dysfunction 397

54 Kidney Disease 405

55 Nutritional Management of Digestive Disease in Brachycephalic Dogs 413

56 Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease 419

57 Avian 429

58 Small Pet Mammals and Reptiles 441

59 Equine 451

References 461

Index 463

was an Organizing member for the AVNT, and one of the first VTS (Nutrition). She is on the faculty at Appalachian State University in the Veterinary Technology Program, based in Boone, North Carolina. She works and resides outside metro Detroit, Michigan, USA.

 

is Founder and Past President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians, an independent consultant, and Director of Veterinary Nursing Development, at WellHaven Pet Health.