We offer both in-person and remote nutrition consultations, and a referral from the pet’s veterinarian is required for either appointment type. Nutrition consultations are limited to pets with diagnosed or suspected medical conditions that require nutritional management.
- Both in‑person and remote nutrition consultations are subject to limited availability. In general, in‑person appointments are often available sooner than remote consultations.
- Due to their medical conditions, it may not be appropriate for some pets to wait that long. If you are able to visit in person, please ask the scheduling desk about the earliest available in-person appointment. You may also ask whether your pet is eligible to be placed on the cancellation list, which is reserved for patients whose medical conditions necessitate a sooner visit.
Forms
- What to Expect: Nutrition (informational sheet for clients)
- Nutrition Referral Form (completed by the referring veterinarian)
- Diet, Activity & Household History Form (completed by the pet owner)
Completed forms should be emailed to vetclientservices@utk.edu.
Homemade Diet Formulation
- Homemade diet formulation by our service is offered only when medically indicated. In some cases, homemade diets are the only way to provide a specialized formula to pets with multiple diseases. Homemade diets are also responsible for many cases of severe nutritional deficiency, so they must be properly designed for long-term use. Our nutrition team can formulate homemade diets that are specific to an individual pet’s medical conditions and nutritional requirements.
- Pet owners seeking homemade diet guidance for healthy animals are encouraged to consult their primary care veterinarian or visit vetspecialists.com to locate a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®.
Therapeutic Commercial Diet Recommendations
- With hundreds of commercial diets on the market, it can be difficult to choose the most appropriate formula for a cat or dog to eat. Many pets also have diseases with conflicting nutritional needs. Our nutrition team can help owners and referring veterinarians choose appropriate diet options for those complicated cases.
Obesity Management
- Obesity is the most common form of malnutrition in U.S. pets today. Once weight gain has occurred, many owners find it difficult to get their pet back to an ideal weight without assistance.
- Our nutrition service can design a comprehensive weight loss plan that makes the process pleasant for owners and pets through a structured diet and exercise program. Weight management consultations are available for pets with a documented body condition score (BCS) of 7/9 or higher.
- We provide weight reduction program services in person and remotely. If you are able to visit in person, your pet may qualify for the UTCVM Veterinary Obesity Center, which provides weight loss plans for client-owned pets at little to no cost to pet owners thanks to a generous grant by Royal Canin.
Critical Care Nutrition
- Proactive nutrition in the hospital improves patient care and leads to better outcomes. We are able to assist other veterinarians, as a member of their extended team, by providing nutritional support plans for hospitalized patients, typically at the request of the attending or referring veterinarian.
Clinical Trial Enrollment
- Due to our commitment to advance the field of small animal nutrition, we often have clinical trial enrollment opportunities. If your pet qualifies and you choose to participate, you and your pet can help us work toward improving our understanding of and treatment options for various nutritionally related conditions. Participation is optional and subject to study-specific eligibility criteria.
For more information about our clinical service contact us at utvns@utk.edu.
For questions about the Veterinary Obesity Center, contact utvoc@utk.edu.
For questions about clinical trial enrollment, use the contact information provided in the clinical trial information sheet.
