Nutritional assessments in small animal practice
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched an online survey to find out how well nutritional assessments are carried out in practice.
The association would like to know how familiar veterinary professionals are with nutritional assessments and tools, such as body condition scoring, as well as which members of the practice team normally carry out these assessments.
WSAVA's survey has been co-ordinated by RVN Rachel Lumbis, in order to advance the central role of the veterinary health care team as the expert source of information for optimal pet nutrition, following guidelines made in 2010.
Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats have been created by WSAVA's Global Nutrition Committee with the aim of being adopted by vet practices across the globe. They have since been published worldwide and translated into six different languages.
Recent research by the US Pet Nutrition Alliance found that 90 per cent of owners wanted a nutrition recommendation from their vet, but only 15 per cent got one. With this in mind, WSAVA is asking more small animal practices to focus on nutrition.
Rachel said: "Veterinary nurses frequently utilise their knowledge and skills to assist in the nutritional assessment process, formulation of feeding plans and provision of necessary nutritional support, as well as helping to educate pet owners about the importance of nutrition in companion animal health.
"It is, therefore, essential that the views of VNs are taken into account when trying to establish the successful implementation of nutrition as a vital assessment in small animal practice."
Click here to complete the survey.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
