THE USE OF POLYMERIC LIQUID ENTERAL DIETS FOR NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED SMALL ANIMALS - CLINICAL-RESULTS IN 200 PATIENTS

This prospective, multicenter study evaluated the use of four polymeri c liquid enteral (PLE) diets manufactured for dogs and cats in 200 ill or injured patients. Polymeric liquid enteral diets were administered by free-choice feeding, syringe, or feeding tube for up to 208 days, Overall results indicated a 4.9% incidence of vomiting in dogs and a 7 .9% incidence in cats; an 8.9% incidence of diarrhea in dogs and an 18 .4% incidence in cats. Patients fed the PLE diets seven days or longer had an average increase in body weight of 1.4% in dogs, an average de crease in body weight of 3.8% in cats, increases in lymphocyte counts, and mild decreases in serum albumin.