Purina is offering veterinary surgeons who sign up for scientific communications from Purina Institute a free, 246-page e-book: Small Animal Nutrition, an issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice.

The Elsevier publication is edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition) with an expert team of authors providing practical information on a variety of nutrition topics appropriate for daily practice. https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2

The Elsevier publication is designed to help veterinary staff expand their knowledge and skills in nutrition topics, from discussing nutrition with clients, to the nutritional management of common health conditions, so that they can be confident in their own nutrition knowledge and ability to communicate about nutritional issues.

The current edition, edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition), is available in English and in Spanish.

Daniel Rodes DVM, PhD, and regional leader for the Purina Institute, said: “The veterinary team is a valued source of nutrition information for pet owners, but vets do not always initiate discussions about nutrition with clients for various reasons, including the concern that owners may be unwilling to change their views on their choice of a pet’s diet¹.

"In fact, one recent study reported that most veterinary clients (93%) 'were at least somewhat willing to change their pet’s diet on the basis of a veterinarian’s recommendation if it was phrased as benefiting their pets’ health'², and in another, the veterinary healthcare team was reported to be the primary (43.6%) and most important source of nutrition information for pet owners³".

Although most articles cover nutrition for dogs and cats, there is also a review on nutrition for ferrets, rabbits and rodents, and another on effective communication, suggesting ways veterinary teams can empower clients to take positive action to support the health of their pets.

https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2 

References

1. Alvarez EE, Schultz KK, Floerchinger AM, Hull JL, 2022. Small animal general practitioners discuss nutrition infrequently despite assertion of indication, citing barriers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022 07 28
2. Alvarez EE, Shultz KK, 2021. Effect of personal, food manufacturer, and pet health statements made by a veterinarian during a pet wellness appointment on a dog or cat owner’s decision to consider changing their pet’s diet. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021 09 15; 259(6):644-650 
3. Schleicher M, Cash SB, Freeman LM, 2019. Determinants of pet food purchasing decisions. Can Vet J; 2019 Jun; 60(6): 644-65 

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