In veterinary practice, the interface between veterinarians, veterinary nurses or technicians, and paraprofessional team members is crucial. It influences patient care, the incidence of medical errors, client satisfaction, the success of the veterinary practice and revenue generation. Ensuring a coherent approach to the maintenance of the animal health and wellbeing is of paramount importance, yet challenges such as interprofessional prejudice, contrasting motivations, and a lack of recognition, respect, empowerment or trust, can prevent best practice. Nutrition is one of the most important considerations in the maintenance of health, and plays a critical role in disease management, patient recovery and hospital outcome. Owners are increasingly aware of nutrition's role in optimising pet health, yet considerable misinformation can make this one of the most difficult aspects of pet ownership. Playing a central role as a source of expert information, the veterinary healthcare team must rise to the challenge of optimising pet nutrition. This book: - Provides evidence-based theory in an accessible and practical way to help veterinary healthcare teams implement interprofessional approaches to nutritional care and support; - Demonstrates how robust interprofessional practice and teamwork help to overcome challenges; - Emphasises collaborative working across the healthcare team. With effective interprofessional communication and collaboration considered a key factor in the successful implementation of nutritional assessment, forming a positive team environment founded on respect, trust and mutual support helps to overcome challenges and provide the best outcome for both pets and their owners.
