All Headlines >>
Research shows that 73% of hospitalised dogs suffer from an energy deficit² and with nutrition being an important part of managing these patients, the company says it will be showing veterinary nurses how they can play a key role in providing this care.
On Friday 7 October, Royal Canin's Sarah Collins DipAVN(Medical)RVN, VTS(ECC), Cert CFVHNut will be hosting two lectures on assisted feeding. The first (Nutrition Stream, 1:00pm-2:00pm) will explore how, once a patient is stable, nutritional support can significantly impact morbidity and mortality¹.
Sarah said: "Inadequate nutrition may lead to malnutrition which can have negative effects on wound healing, immune function and ultimately on overall prognosis. The consequences of malnutrition are very different in healthy cats and dogs compared to ill ones, with ill or traumatised patients catabolising lean body mass when they are not provided with sufficient calories. This lecture will go on to explain how Veterinary Nurses can select a suitable diet and put a thorough feeding plan in place."
The Assisted Feeding Part 2 lecture (Nutrition Stream, 4:00pm-5:00pm) will look into anorexic or inappetant patients and cases where an animal is unlikely to feed, such as fractured mandible. Sarah will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of different feeding tubes and how an appropriate tube can be chosen.
Royal Canin's Weight Management Specialist, Shelley Holden RVN, Cert SAN (pictured above right), will also be delivering a lecture: 'Weight Clinics – managing the challenging case' (Friday 7 October, Nutrition Stream, 9:30am-10:30am). Shelley will highlight the difficulties in getting patients to lose weight to nurses already running dedicated clinics in practice. Shelley will also discuss adhering to weight loss plans, challenges that owners can face and how to educate them on the importance of making changes for their pet.
References
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.