Nutritional Assessment

"You are what you eat", is the old addage.  As part of your pet's health wellness assessment, the veterinarian will include a nutrition assessment.  This starts with the veterinarian requesting information from you about the diet normally fed to your pet, whether snacks are given and what kind, and whether there are any issues with finicky appetite, loss or gain of weight and how much. The doctor can determine whether your pet is overweigtht, underweight and/or whether a special diet may be in order for optimal performance and health. The veterinarian can recommend the right balanced diet to promote good health and longevity.

Generally, most of our healthy canine patients can be fed a good quality commercial dry food kibble (dry and expanded grain based) in the correct amount for breed of dog and activity level. Large active adults dogs seem to thrive on this type of diet.  Sometimes owners supplement the dry food with table food, canned food, or meat as a special offering for their best friend.   Small and toy breeds as well as cats seem to be more resistant to eating the dry kibble types of food and they don't require much volume because of their size and generally housebound lifestyle.  Their owners often offer other types of foods that their little best friends will eat.  The veterinarian can determine whether the dry diet plus or minus the offerings is meeting the nutritional requirements for your little friend.  Special  nutritional needs can also be identified by your veterinarian.  These could include special diets for diabetic patients, pets with kidney disease, pets with bladder or urinary tract problems, pets that are overweight or underweight, pets that are pregnant, lactating or extremely active such as hunters or obedience competitors.  

OPVMC carries many brands and types of prescription diets, and treats for our veterinarians to recommend for specific problems or health needs for your pet.  We have in stock, but by prescription from one of our veterinarians only, Hill's, Eukanuba/Iams, Royal Canin, Purina,  and Waltham Prescription Diets in dry and canned forms.  We also have available, special supplements for other small mammals, reptiles and avian pets.