Clinical Nutrition Service
The impact
of nutrition on health and disease is an important area of veterinary science.
By paying attention to our patient's nutritional needs, we can maximize health,
performance, longevity, and prevent disease. Furthermore, nutrition is a
cornerstone in the treatment of many diseases, such as kidney disease or gastrointestinal
disease.
The Clinical Nutrition Service is comprised of Dr.
Adronie Verbrugghe, Service Chief and Assistant Professor in Clinical Nutrition
and, Clinical Nutrition Residents and Intern. The Service works closely with
other clinical Services at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences
Centre (OVC HSC) to assess the nutritional needs of patients. The Service is involved
in developing appropriate diet plans for patients during hospitalization and post-discharge.
What does the Clinical Nutrition Service offer
for OVC HSC clients?
For referring
veterinarians:
If
your patient is a current patient of another OVC HSC Service, consultations and
referrals to Clinical Nutrition are available.
For pet parents:
Your
pet must be a current patient of OVC HSC.
At this time, in-person consultations are available on Wednesdays.
Phone and email consultations are also available to OVC HSC clients. To obtain an appointment or
consultation, please speak with your OVC HSC Speciality Service clinician.
Specific
services offered include the following:
- Optimal commercial diet
and dietary supplement selection for specific medical conditions
- Nutrition support for
critically ill patients, including tube feeding and parenteral nutrition
(i.e. intravenous nutrition)
- Evaluation and
formulation of homemade diets
- Customized weight loss
plans
- Customized nutrition
programs for different life stages, reproduction, performance, etc.
Options available to veterinarians and pet owners for non-OVC HSC clients
Unfortunately,
Clinical Nutrition is unable to offer consultations to non-OVC HSC clients at
this time. However we recognize that providing a complete and balanced homemade diet
is of utmost importance and as such, have compiled a list of board certified
nutritionists in the United States that will be able to assist with homemade
diets for dogs and cats:
Members of the Clinical Nutrition Service
Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD Vet Sci, Dip ECVCN Assistant Professor and Royal Canin Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition
Dr.
Caitlin Grant, DVM, BSc
DVSc
student and Clinical Nutrition Resident for the European College of Veterinary
and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN)
Dr.
Sarah Dodd, DVM, BSc
MSc student and Clinical Nutrition Resident for the
European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN)
