Proper nutrition plays a major role in your pet's daily health and is of even greater impor­tance if your pet has a chronic health problem. Depending upon the nature of the health condition and its severity, sometimes all that your pet may need is a change of diet to help restore the body back to health. At other times the veterinarian may need to establish a treatment protocol, prescribe medications and/or supplements along with a diet change to help your pet cope with their particular health problem.

There are those of you who would like to make homemade recipes for your pets, especially when they have a health problem. This can be very time consuming on a day-to-day basis and complex in-nature to make. The care of making proper ratios of vitamins and minerals in your pet's food is a delicate balance to maintain. For those of you who do not have the time to conjure recipes at home, do not despair. Luckily today there are ready-made specialty diets available for animals that have chronic health problems. They are formulated to provide your pet with necessary nutrients and to meet their special dietary needs. Your veterinar­ian will prescribe the food that best meets your pet's dietary needs, depending on your pet's particular health problem.

Below are brief descriptions of some common health problems of dogs and cats. The correlating special diets are formulated to help their bodies cope with the demands of the particular health disorder. The health problems of canines and felines may be the same but since they are differ­ent species, their nutritional needs differ. The specialty diets which are formulated are done so on this basis. The following diets are made by CNM and are available through your veterinarian.

CV-Formula

and Heart Disease

Dogs

Heart disease affects every organ in the body, cutting down the blood supply to major organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, etc. It may also cause fluid ret­ention in the lungs and abdomen. It is important that the diet be highly digestible to reduce the strain put on major organs, and has a low sodium content to prevent fluid retention. The CV-Formula for dogs which is low in sodium, has added potassium (to help replace it in the body if your dog is taking diuretics), moderate protein and added B-complex vitamins. It is available in cans.

Cats

The ramifications of heart disease in the feline are similar to that of the canine. Since major organs are affected by the disease, a diet which is highly digestible, lessening the strain on these organs is desired. The CV-formula for cats is low in sodium, has added potassium and taurine, and is highly digestible. It is available in cans.

NF-Formula

and Kidney Di5ea5e

Dogs

Kidney disease destroys the kidney's ability to function properly.  When this occurs, waste material in the body accumulates in the blood. It is important that the diet make fewer demands on the kidneys. High quality protein (but restricted in amount) helps reduce the nonessential amino acids, decreasing the production of nitrogenous waste products in the body. The affected kidneys cannot process phosphorus and sodium as before, so the amount of these miner­als should be minimized also. The restriction of sodium can regulate high blood pressure which can accompany kidney disease. The NF-­Formula for dogs contains low protein, low phosphorus and sodium, and has added B-complex vitamins (to replace water-soluble vitamins that are flushed through the kidneys). It is available in cans and bags of kibble.

Cats

The cat's kidneys are compro­mised in the same manner as with dogs. The diet should be low in phos­phorus and sodium with restricted protein. The NF-Formula for cats is low in sodium and phosphorus, has added B-complex vitamins and potas­sium, and is restricted in protein. It is available in bags of kibble.

EN-Formula and
Gastrointestinal Disorders

Dogs

There are various health problems that can lead to a gastrointestinal dis­order in your dog. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), hyperlipidemia (high blood fat content), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), and gastritis are a few. It is important that the food be highly digestible and low in fat so as not to overtax the digestive system. The EN-Formula is designed to have high digestibility, is low in fat and fiber, and is a good source of medium chain triglycerides; which provide easily digestible energy sources. It is available in cans and bags of kibble.

Cats

When the gastrointestinal tract is compromised, it is important that the diet be low in crude fiber and has added soluble fiber to promote the production of short chain fatty acids which nourish the intestinal mucosa. The EN-Formula for cats is a source for soluble fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids, is high in digestibility, has low crude fiber, and aids in urine acidifi­cation (which is important for cats). It is available in semi-moist kibbles.

DCO-Formula

and Diabetes Mellitus

Dogs

Diabetes mellitus occurs from the improper secretion of insulin from the pancreas, resulting in improper utilization of blood sugar in the body. The blood sugar is wasted in the body and is eliminated in the urine. Although the dog is eating and drinking in great quantities, the body cannot "feed" itself and begins wasting away. A lower fat content in the diet (which puts less strain on the pancreas to produce fat-fighting enzymes), along with a higher fiber content, is preferable for dogs with diabetes mellitus. The DCO-Formula is designed to increase the soluble fiber in your pet's diet and provide high complex carbohydrates. It is lower in dietary fat, provides moderate protein and provides Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet. It is available in bags of kibble.

OM-Formula

and Diabetes Mellitus

Cats

The demands for a diet low in fat and high in fiber are important for a cat with diabetes mellitus. Often­times susceptibility to infections occurs for the diabetic animal. In regards to cats, the acidification of the urine is an important factor in deterring urinary tract infections. The OM-Formula for cats is low in fat and high in fiber and encourages acidification of the urine. It is available in bags of kibble.

UR-Formula and Lower

Urinary Tract Diseases

Cats

Many factors have been studied in determining what causes lower urinary tract disorders in cats. Stress, confinement, obesity, and genetics can be factors that lead to it. Current­ly in relation to the diet, researchers have found that alkaline urine pH combined with high levels of magne­sium in the food may contribute to crystal formations. The UR-Formula contains reduced magnesium, increased taurine, and encourages the acidification of the urine. It is available in cans and bags of kibble.

OM-Formula

and Obesity

Dogs

Dogs can become obese from overfeeding, feeding the wrong food, and lack of exercise. The resulting strain on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system is a threat to the health of your dog. Obesity can sometimes mask endocrine disorders such as Cushing's Syndrome and hypothyroidism or be caused by them. A high fiber and low fat diet can reduce the calorie intake during the weight loss program. The OM-­Formula for dogs is high in fiber and low in fat and has reduced caloric content. It is available in cans and bags of kibble.

Cats

As with canines, obesity in cats can occur from overfeeding, feeding the wrong food, or from lack of exercise (or a combination of the above). Indoor cats and older cats are more prone to obesity if they do not receive enough exercise on a daily basis. Obesity can lead to cardiac and skeletal problems, impair the circulatory system, and may increase the risk of diabetes. It can mask cardiac disorders, hepatic (liver disease) and diabetes. A low fat and high fiber diet which is restricted in calories can help manage weight reduction. The OM-Formula is a high fiber, low fat diet which helps reduce calorie intake. It is available in bags of kibble.

This article is intended as an overview of a few of the health problems that can affect cats and dogs, and of the prescription foods that are available for them. If your 'pet' should develop a chronic condition, you are encouraged to learn as much as possible about the condition and its causal factors. Your veterinarian will discuss nutrition with you and help you establish a dietary regime that will best help your pet.

Source: CNM Clinical Nutrition Management Veterinary Product Guide, June 1, 1996.

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