Feeding considerations for cats with chronic kidney disease Cats can be tricky to feed at the best of times, let alone when they are feeling unwell with chronic kidney disease (CKD). You may be familiar with E.A.T. (enhanced appetite trigger), a proprietary technology found in Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d and k/d + j/d. Hill’s team of experts matched the unique taste profiles of cats suffering chronic kidney disease with specific ingredients to create E.A.T. technology. E.A.T. terchnology is clinically proven to stimulate appetite  in cats with chronic kidney disease and increase caloric ..read more

Can dogs have both cutaneous food allergy and atopic dermatitis? Allergic dermatitis (with its myriad triggers) is everywhere. Atopic dermatitis (environmental allergy) is amongst the most common causes of pruritus (itch) in the dog but, frustratingly, there is no singular diagnostic test that can definitively confirm this diagnosis for us on the clinic floor.  Many conditions can cause pruritus and thus mimic atopy. One of these mimics is cutaneous food allergy which can only be diagnosed by undertaking a very rigorous restriction-provocation diet trial. Clinicians must adopt a syst ..read more

Improving Veterinary Practice Efficiency Managing veterinary practice efficiency is never an easy task. Recent years have brought upon us increased challenges that have heightened the tension levels within the practice.  Whilst difficult at face value, all challenges bring forth opportunities to adapt and excel. As a result of COVID-19 practices are busier than ever. COVID 19 saw an increased number of pet adoptions on a global scale.  Domestically, many veterinary clinics are estimating their growth to be between 20-30%, if not higher, compared to pre-COVID figures.  As a direc ..read more

As practitioners, we realise that appropriate nutrition for gastrointestinal disease is part of the mainstay of treatment, but which diet should you choose for which condition from the range of Hill’s options? This is a really common question and whilst every patient is different here are some general guidelines to help you choose what to try first. Diet Types for Gastrointestinal Disease There are four main types of gastrointestinal diets: Highly digestible (eg Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d) Increased fibre (eg Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome, Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d) Low ..read more

An Introduction to Tube Feeding the Critical Patient Critically ill patients benefit from provision of early nutritional support in the hospital setting. It is recommended that patients receive nutritional support generally within the first 24 hrs of hospitalisation- especially since many patients have reduced caloric intake for several days prior to admission to the clinic or hospital. In general, enteral nutrition is far superior to intravenous nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) results in reduced liver function in comparison to patients fed enteral nutrition. In addition, the sepsi ..read more

Canine Atopic Dermatitis-Making itchy conversations easier. Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is everywhere being one of the most common causes of pruritic dermatitis in the dog. Some epidemiological data suggests that upwards of 15% of the dog population is affected by environmental skin allergies. Recent advances in our understanding of the disease have ushered in an exciting new era of non-steroidal antipruritic medications that can effectively and safely manage allergy signs in some dogs. We now appreciate, however, that canine atopic dermatitis is a clinical syndrome (rather than a single di ..read more

Gracie’s Story Let me introduce you to Gracie (pictured above). Gracie is a 12 year old female Cavoodle who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia. Chronic Colitis in dogs- Signs The next diagnostic step was to pursue colonoscopy, but given that nutritional management is often an effective strategy for chronic colitis, the specialist decided to start with a diet change. Gracie was transitioned to a food that has been especially formulated to support a dog’s digestive health.  Chronic Colitis–Nutritional Management What food Gracie was changed to? It was Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastroi ..read more

Nutritional consultations include education, patience, and support and are all key to communicating with pet owners about nutrition with their pet. A nutritional recommendation must be made by the veterinary team, every time the pet is seen.. Come on – you know you want to do this! Remember to include why the specific food is being recommended Pet owners want to know how the specific recommendation helps their pet stay healthy or manages a disease condition. Educate your clients. Educating them will help increase compliance and therfore help to provide the patient with the best care the vete ..read more

Diabetes in Cats – An Overview Cats typically have a form of diabetes resembling Type II in humans in which cellular resistance to insulin results in impaired glucose uptake. This leads to dysfunction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and  a progressive reduction in insulin production. There are many potential causes of insulin resistance, with obesity being the most important acquired factor in cats.1 Overweight or obese cats have up to a 4 times greater chance of becoming diabetic than ideal weight cats.2 Other causes of insulin resistance in cats include genetic predi ..read more

Oh no she’s a 10/9 BCS! Calculating ideal body weight can be surprisingly challenging, especially when your patient is obese to morbidly obese. We seem to see these patients on a weekly basis nowadays. Meet Chloe Our patient of the day is Chloe. She is an 8 year old morbidly obese Jack Russell Terrier. Chloe heaves her body up the steps and on to the scales for her annual health check.  “Wow 16.8 kg!” exclaims the receptionist.  Chloe’s owner Mrs Briggs looks a little sheepish and sits down. Dr McKay has a lot to get through in Chloe’s 15 minute consult. She quickly assesses Chloe ..read more