Craftia Galena Veterinary Diets: Practical support for veterinary clinics and their patients

On a daily basis, veterinarians examine dogs and cats whose overall health and well-being can benefit from dietetic feeds, more commonly known as veterinary or prescription diets. These diets support patients whose illness can temporarily, or permanently, alter their ability to handle standard nutrition, and therefore require a more specific and targeted formulation. Here, Dr David Morgan, BSc MA VetMB CertVR MRCVS, Chief Scientific Communication Advisor for Kraftia Pet Care, highlights some key benefits of feeding a veterinary diet.

There are many illnesses in both dogs and cats that can alter their ability to benefit from standard nutrition, and there are some important illnesses where veterinary diets actually play a central role in the support of the patient.

“Some of the most common illnesses seen in dogs and cats, such as dental disease, skin disease, overweight/obesity, and upset of the stomach or intestine, can be effectively supported by the choice of the right veterinary diet,” comments Dr Morgan, adding, “once the problem has been solved by the veterinarian, the pet can transition back onto their normal diet.”

Sadly, there are some problems such as chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis, in both dogs and cats, that can be slow in manifesting themselves, are progressive, and irreversible. This all means that long-term treatment by the veterinarian with specific medication may well be needed. In these cases, the choice of a veterinary diet is central to the long-term support of the patient.

Dr Morgan explains, “We can formulate recipes for chronic kidney disease that target key nutrients that need to be reduced in a controlled manner, helping alleviate the workload on the kidneys and making the patient feel better. For osteoarthritis, we can look at nutrients that support and soothe the joints. And if the osteoarthritic pet is overweight, a major issue negatively impacting the joints, then having a low-fat recipe that can be fed for weight-loss is also important.”

Because we are recognising that the gut microbiome can be negatively disrupted in many illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and overweight/obesity, then direct nutritional support of these beneficial bacteria needs to be addressed, as a healthy microbiome helps with whole-body health.

“Having a blend of nutrients that can help positively support the gut microbiome, such as prebiotics, fibres, phytonutrients and antioxidants, are important in helping restore the microbiome’s health, and each Galena Veterinary Diet for dogs or cats, has this blend,” Dr Morgan explains. “They also all contain a specific ingredient that can help maintain dental health, another great addition.”

Many illnesses can impact the pet’s quality of life, which can directly affect their owner’s life as well. Therefore, the feeding of a veterinary diet can benefit both patient and owner.

Dr Morgan summarises, “There are many veterinary diets available that can support the health of pets that are suffering from a variety of important illnesses. Owners should talk to their veterinarian about the feeding of these diets, and the veterinarian will also oversee any long-term feeding strategy for specific diets. The new range of Galena Veterinary Diets offers owners and veterinarians a great choice for support of the pet’s health and well-being, which is beneficial in the long-term.”