Clinical Nutrition

• When animals do not fall into a “healthy” category and direct involvement with a health professional is needed.

Enteral Nutrition: introducing nutrients to the gut to be broken down and utilized for energy

Parenteral Nutrition: introducing nutrition to the body, bypassing the gut. i.e.. Intravenous

Fluid therapy will help to combat dehydration and restore electrolyte imbalances.

1st stabilize patient

EN stabilizes the gut barrier, improves health and immune function, improves GI motility and prevents catabolism.

Assisted feeding

• Encouragement• Syringe feeding

72 hours without eating

10% weight loss

Syringe feeding

• Doctor’s orders• Calculate appropriate amount• Appropriate diet and preparation• When and how long?• Poor appetite vs. no appetite

Enteral nutrition can be provided by a variety of feeding tubes, including nasogastric (NG) or nasoesophogeal (NE) tubes, esophogostomy tubes, gastrostomy tubes or jejunostomy tubes. Jejunostomy tubes bypass the pancreas and can be used in patients when vomiting cannot be controlled.

NG tube (NE)

• Supplies• placement• What are we giving?

E-tubes

• Why?• Difference between ng tube?

G-tube

• Why?• How long?• Differences?• Placement?

J-tube

• Why• How long?• Differences?• Placement?

The Gis main function is to digest and absorb nutrients. It also has a role in defending the body. The GI represents a first line of defence against potential pathogens, toxins and allergens. The GI is the bodys largest immune system. About 70% of the body’s immune system is located in the GI tract

The bacteria population is organized into a complex ecosystem that balances beneficial and harmful bacteria. The function of the bacteria is to aid in digestion and absorption of nutrients, and to prevent infection. Factors that can upset the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria include:

Disease

Aging

Stress

Drugs

Probiotics: micro-organisms that are introduced into the gut to ensure healthy bacterial population

Prebiotics: food ingredients that act as nutrition for existing gut bacteria, promoting healthy bacteria flora.

Parenteral nutrition

• Providing nutrients iv.• Jugular (central line)• A peripheral vein can be used (ppn)• Intestinal disease• Unable to be sedated