Optimize presurgical nutrition to improve recovery

From an interview at the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Long Beach, California, Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), explains why perioperative nutrition matters. Optimizing protein intake and overall nutrition before elective surgery improves healing, and early appropriate feeding as the gut recovers supports the microbiome and speeds recovery, she says.

Transcript

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition): Hi, I am Vicky Ograin. I am a registered veterinary technician and a VTS, a veterinary technician specialist, in nutrition. I am here at Fetch speaking about a couple of my favorite topics. The first is surgery. In practice I was a surgery technician and I can combine surgery and recovery with nutrition, which I find very exciting. I will also be talking about the microbiome and keeping the GI system healthy.

We should think not only about recovery after surgery but also about the period before surgery. Are patients eating well and are they on a complete and balanced diet? That is very important. I have a case where an owner went a little off the rails and the dog was not eating a complete and balanced diet. If a dog is malnourished and not getting proper nutrition, does that set the dog up for success or failure during surgery and recovery? In this case it set the dog up for failure because it was not getting the right nutrition and recovery was harder.

You want patients to have good nutrients, including adequate protein, to help them heal after surgery. It all starts before surgery. For elective procedures I want to make sure the patient is in a good nutritional plane. For emergencies we have to act immediately. In this case we were able to delay surgery until the dog reached a good nutritional plane and that helped set the dog up for success.

After surgery we want to support the gut and the microbiome and keep the patient on a good nutritional plan. For elective surgery take a nutrition history to understand what the pet is eating and tailor recommendations to the condition and the procedure. That is important.

We always discuss withholding food and water before anesthesia, but we do not always think enough about feeding afterwards. As the patient wakes and the gut is working, we want to feed. If there is GI surgery or persistent vomiting we would not feed, but if the gut is functioning we should use it. In the hospital, give a light meal as the patient wakes. At home let the pet settle and begin with a small meal rather than a full meal, which may be harder on the stomach. See how the pet does and if things go well you can advance to a full meal.

Some people recommend chicken and rice because it is bland. I advise caution because owners may think chicken and rice is suitable long term when it is not complete and balanced. It is meant for short-term use only. If I recommend a food to send home I prefer a GI diet that is highly digestible, easy on the stomach, and complete and balanced. The most important point is to ensure complete and balanced nutrition so the patient receives the nutrients needed for healing.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit dvm360’s dedicated site for conference coverage at https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach