The use of hydrolysed diets for vomiting and/or diarrhoea in cats in primary veterinary practice. (7th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kathrani, A.; Church, D. B.; Brodbelt, D. C.; Pegram, C.; O'Neill, D. G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of small animal practice. Volume 61:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 723
• Page End: 731
• Publication Date: 2020-09-07
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4510

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To describe responses of cats prescribed a hydrolysed diet with or without concurrent medication for chronic vomiting and/or diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology. Materials and Methods: Anonymised records of 512, 213 cats under UK veterinary care in 2016 from the VetCompass database were searched using relevant terms for hydrolysed diets. The records of 5000 (90%) of 5569 cats with evidence of receiving a hydrolysed diet were randomly reviewed for gastrointestinal indication, prior and concurrent medication and response after hydrolysed dietary intervention. A poor response was defined as evidence of receiving antibiotic or glucocorticoid treatment for vomiting/diarrhoea at visits after the onset of the diet or death from gastrointestinal signs for at least 6 months follow‐up. Results: Of 977 cats prescribed a hydrolysed diet for chronic vomiting/diarrhoea, 697 (71%) were first prescribed the diet without concurrent antibiotics or glucocorticoids while 280 (29%) first received the diet with these medications. Thirty‐four per cent of cats in the former group and 61% in the latter had a poor response. Cats older than 6 years and cats prescribed antibiotic and/or glucocorticoid for vomiting/diarrhoea before and concurrently with the diet had higher odds of poor response. Clinical Significance: Although variations in our observations may reflect severity of signs or prescribing habits of primary‐care veterinary surgeons, our study suggests there is merit in trialling a hydrolysed diet first as a sole therapy in cats with chronic vomiting/diarrhoea when diagnostic investigations do not reveal a cause, before resorting to antibiotic and/or glucocorticoid therapy for cases that respond poorly.