Dietary and nutritional management of gastrointestinal diseases

The value of proper diet in the management of the gastrointestinal patient has been demonstrated. As experience and knowledge increase, diets will become more refined to address specific diet-related abnormalities. There is an increasing awareness in veterinary medicine, and justifiably so, of the benefit of nutritional support, administered enterally or parenterally. Aggressive, early, and adequate nutritional support may be the most important factor responsible for a successful response to other aspects of therapy and recovery, and has to represent an improvement in veterinary medicine.