Evaluation of dietary histories in cats presenting with chronic gastrointestinal clinical signs to a veterinary teaching hospital

Abstract

Objectives Although less frequently described than in dogs, it is also well recognised in cats that chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease can fully respond to dietary changes only. So far, no study has assessed how much dietary information can be obtained during veterinary consultations. Methods We retrospectively evaluated how much dietary information was available when owners presenting their cats to our gastroenterology (GE) and internal medicine (IM) service between October 2017 and January 2020 were questioned during consultations. Because of the larger IM caseload, for each week the first two cats presenting with chronic GI signs were selected for the IM group. Data from 80 cats presenting for first GE consultations were compared with data from 84 cats presenting with chronic GI signs for first IM consultations. Results Referrals comprised 42/80 (53%) GE cats and 53/84 (63%) IM cats. Referral documents mentioned the previously fed diet in 12/42 (29%) GE and 4/53 (8%) IM cats, and response to that previous diet trial was recorded in the referral documents of 4/12 (33%) GE and 3/4 (75%) IM cats. No cat had received more than one previous diet trial. During consultations, owners of 61/80 (76%) GE and 53/84 (63%) IM cats were asked about diet. Irrespective of referral status, previous dietary trials had been performed in 27/61 (44%) GE and 19/53 (36%) IM cats. The specific diet fed at the time of consultation could be named by 37/61 (61%) GE and 11/53 (21%) IM cat owners. Conclusions and relevance Overall dietary information gained from referring veterinarians and owners was often incomplete. Although more information could be gained from owners during GE consultations vs IM consultations, awareness of the importance of diet in cats with GI disease still appears to be low among veterinarians and cat owners. Future studies need to assess if more complete dietary information can be obtained at the time of consultations with a prospective study design.