Affiliation:
1. Locum RVN, Darlington, UK
Abstract
Many patients present for critical care with persistent vomiting and other gastrointestinal compromise including loss of appetite, inability to eat or tolerate feeding, and diarrhoea. Gastrointestinal compromise can be caused by inflammation, either primary (eg surgical trauma, infection) or secondary to other disease processes. Critical patients are at increased risk of malnourishment, with risk factors including malabsorption, anorexia, underlying disease and pain. The goal of nutritional support for the critically ill patient is to prevent further losses to lean tissue and provide energy and nutrients required for healing. As veterinary nurses, being equipped with the knowledge to create an appropriate nutritional plan for these patients has a huge impact.