Routes of nutritional support in small animals

Perea, Sally

doi:10.1002/9781119052951.ch3

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Naso-oesophageal (NO) or nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes are suitable for short-term feeding (generally fewer than 5 days) 5,106 in the hospital setting (Figure 11) and when a cat is not a candidate for anaesthesia. They may also be used short term in sick cats to improve clinical condition and allow anaesthesia for longer term tube placement.…”

Section: Nutritional Support Of the Hospitalised Cat: Feeding Tubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat

Taylor¹,

Chan

Villaverde³

et al. 2022

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Practical relevance: Inappetence may have many origins and, as a presenting sign or observation in the hospitalised patient, is common in feline practice. Nutritional assessment of every patient is encouraged, to identify the need for, and appropriate type of, intervention indicated. The impact of malnutrition may be significant on the feline patient, perpetuating illness, delaying recovery, slowing wound healing and negatively impacting gut health and immunity. Delayed intervention may result in the cat’s deterioration; hence prompt control of contributing factors such as the underlying illness, pain, nausea, ileus and stress is vital to optimise voluntary food intake. Management is multimodal, comprising reduction of stress, medications and assisted nutrition in the form of tube feeding or parenteral nutrition. Use of antiemetic, analgesic, prokinetic and appetite stimulant medications may restore appetite, but placement of feeding tubes should not be delayed. Feeding tubes are generally well tolerated and allow provision of food, water and medication with minimal stress, although clinicians must be aware of complications such as stoma site infections and refeeding syndrome. Clinical challenges: Cats are vulnerable to malnutrition owing to their unique metabolism and specific nutritional requirements. Moreover, their nature as a species means they are susceptible to stress in the hospital environment, which may result in reduced food intake; previous negative experiences may compound the problem. In particular, an inappropriate clinic environment and/or handling may cause or exacerbate inappetence in hospitalised patients, with negative impacts on recovery. Postponing interventions such as feeding tube placement to await improvement, owing to clinician or caregiver apprehension, may hinder recovery and worsen nutritional deficits. Evidence base: The 2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat have been created by a panel of experts brought together by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM). Information is based on the available literature, expert opinion and the panel members’ experience.

show abstract

Section: Nutritional Support Of the Hospitalised Cat: Feeding Tubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…O tubes can be removed at any time, as there is no need for a delay to allow a seal to form (unlike with gastrostomy tubes). 106 The stoma site should be cleaned and covered with a dressing for 24 h. It will heal by second intention (wound closure is not recommended).…”

Section: Nutritional Support Of the Hospitalised Cat: Feeding Tubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat

Taylor¹,

Chan

Villaverde³

et al. 2022

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin vs mirtazapine in healthy cats post-ovariectomy

Fantinati

Trnka

Signor

et al. 2020

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin by comparing it with mirtazapine in healthy cats in the first 8 h after ovariectomy surgery. Methods This double-masked, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial included 60 healthy cats presented to the hospital for ovariectomy: 20 received gabapentin, 21 received mirtazapine and 19 received a placebo immediately before and 6 h after surgery. Food was offered at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h post-ovariectomy. After each meal, food intake was measured. Data were analysed using repeated-measure ANOVA and a linear mixed-model analysis. Post-hoc Tukey’s honest significant difference test was performed for multiple comparisons. Results Food intake increased in both treatment groups vs placebo. No statistically significant difference was found between cats treated with gabapentin or mirtazapine. Conclusions and relevance Cats receiving gabapentin ate more than cats in the placebo group. Thirty percent of cats in the gabapentin group covered their resting energy requirements, while none of the cats in the placebo group did. Gabapentin and mirtazapine produced similar effects on food intake.

show abstract

Managing the inappetent hospitalised cat: International Society of Feline Medicine guidelines

Taylor

2024

Companion Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Inappetence (also called hyporexia or anorexia) is a common presenting symptom in cats, but suboptimal nutrition can have many negative effects on feline patients, including prolonged hospitalisation and shortened survival. Cats are strict carnivores with a high protein requirement, and when starvation is combined with the hypermetabolic state found in sick cats, a loss of lean body mass can occur. This can have negative effects on wound healing, immune function and gut function. Inappetence in hospitalised cats is not just caused by the underlying illness; it can be exacerbated by stress, as well as factors such as pain, nausea, ileus, constipation and the adverse effects of medication. All contributing factors should be managed, along with the primary disease process, to correct malnutrition. Nutritional assessment of each hospitalised cat allows the identification of patients who require prompt intervention. Appetite stimulants can encourage voluntary food intake and feeding tubes allow provision of nutrition, fluids and medications, and can be managed at home to expedite discharge. The food intake of hospitalised cats should be closely monitored and inappetence should not be ignored, nor intervention delayed.

show abstract

Routes of nutritional support in small animals

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Management of the Inappetent Hospitalised Cat

Appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin vs mirtazapine in healthy cats post-ovariectomy

Managing the inappetent hospitalised cat: International Society of Feline Medicine guidelines

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About