Theraputic Nutrition

We have over time, become use to advances in medicine for ourselves and in changes in Veterinary medicine for our animals, new drugs for treatment and the management of diseases, new types of surgical procedures.

An area which has become significant in it’s area of research in Veterinary medicine is: Therapeutic nutrition. In fact therapeutic nutrition for dogs is known to have been researched as far back as 1948 in the United States by a Vet called Dr Mark Morris. He created the first Prescription Diet product, registered trademark of Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Since then therapeutic Nutrition has grown to be an important component of Veterinary medicine with innovative products that give sick and disease prone dogs and cats nutritional support during and after therapy.

Therapeutic Diets are only available through your Veterinary Surgeon and it is important that they are involved in the selection and monitoring of the diet, disease and your dog, so that the best prognosis can be achieved.

Different health problems require different forms of nutritional support. Amazingly researchers at Hill’s Pet Nutrition were the first to recognise the link between successful therapy and supportive nutrition, years before researchers in human medicine reached the same conclusions.

A variety of formulas are available to support your dog including:

• Adverse reactions to foods
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Gastro intestinal disease
• Pancreatic disorders
• Cancer care
• Liver disorders
• Kidney disease
• Weight control
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Dental health
• Urolithiasis (bladder stones)
• Urinary Tract disease
• Pre and post surgical conditionsIf your dog is diagnosed as having a disease or nutrition related disorder, it is comforting to know that, in many cases, a change in diet really can help to manage and control the problem.

Help with switching your dog's food

If your Vet has recommended a change in your dog’s food and he has been a creature of habit, you may need some help in switching to a new way of eating.

• Gradually introduce the new food over a 5-10 day period, unless instructed otherwise by your Veterinary Surgeon.

• Mix the new diet with your dog’s former food, gradually increasing the proportion until only the new food is being fed.

• Do not supplement your dog’s new food unless instructed otherwise by your Veterinary Surgeon. Do not feed treats, snacks, table scraps, leftovers, or any food other than that which your Veterinary Surgeon recommends.

• Keep a clean bowl of fresh water available at all times.

If your dog is having trouble in giving up his old food you may find the following will help:

• Warm canned food to body temperature (but not any hotter), before feeding.
• Hand feed the new diet for the first few days.
• Mix, the dry diet with a small amount of water and wait 10 minutes before serving.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, please discuss these with your Veterinary Surgeon.

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