Preparing a nutritional plan for a patient recently diagnosed with cancer

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), scientific communication specialist at Hill's Pet Nutrition, told dvm360 in an interview how to talk to clients about forming a nutritional plan. A recent cancer diagnosis can often change how veterinary professionals approach this conversation. Ograin shares her advice for this situation and also previews what to expect from her lecture at the Directions in Veterinary Medicine (DIVM) symposium.

The DIVM symposium on onocology and nutrition is happening this week, so to see Ograin speak there, register now!

The following is a partial transcript of the video.

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition): So, you have a pet that has been diagnosed with cancer. And for anyone that's had a pet or worked with a pet that has cancer, that's devastating. It's an absolute and total devastating diagnosis. So obviously, the owner wants to do everything possible for that pet. But sometimes that includes giving them things that might not be appropriate, as far as what they're feeding them. I think it's important for us to have a nutritional conversation, when they are diagnosed. Don't wait until they're emaciated, and they're not feeling well, and they're not eating.

I hope that [attendees] get as passionate about nutrition as I am. If not—and I understand not everyone is—but I do think that that nutrition is so important. But I hope that the takeaway from the lecture is that when you're navigating cancer for these dogs and cats, they need to be on good nutrition. Meaning a balanced diet that is going to help them nutritionally get the nutrients that they need as they navigate whatever treatment option they're going to be selecting. Or if they're not going to have any type of treatment. We want to make sure that they are being watched and getting proper nutrition.