Nutritional Management of Co-morbidities with Disparate Dietary Considerations in Small Animals

Presentation Description / Summary: This workshop will focus on the nutritional management of common comorbidities in dogs and cats. We will discuss the systematic approach to these complex cases, including listing strategies for each nutritionally responsive disease, ranking and prioritizing any strategies that are in opposition, identifying suitable diet options using pet food manufacturer guides and other considerations for such cases. This work-shop will also cover nutritional assessment and how to determine adequate nutritional goals for the individual animal with comorbidities. Finally, considerations for macronutrient and micronutrients for various nutritionally responsive diseases will also be discussed.

Learner Outcomes: 1. How to systematically approach a dog or cat with co-morbidities from a nutritional perspective. 2. What variables or questions do you need to consider in a dog or cat with comorbidities when deciding which disease to prioritize from a nutritional management perspective. 3. How to choose a therapeutic or homemade diet for dogs and cats with comorbidities by either prioritizing one disease over another or using a diet that may not be optimal for all nutritionally responsive diseases in that animal.