An Investigation of Employment Hope as a Key Factor Influencing Perceptions of Subjective Recovery among Adults with Serious Mental Illness Seeking Community Work.

INTRODUCTION: Employment is an important contributor to recovery in people with serious mental illness (SMI), yet studies have not explored how subjective elements of employment hope contribute to perceptions of global recovery in this population. METHODS: The current study examined the relationship between employment hope and subjective recovery in 276 unemployed adults with SMI participating in a multi-site clinical trial of a cognitive behavioral group intervention tailored toward work and combined with vocational rehabilitation. Participants had diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar, depressive, and posttraumatic stress disorders, and were receiving services at three Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities in the United States. Data were collected at study baseline. Linear regression analysis examined the relationship between employment hope (Short Employment Hope Scale; EHS-14) and subjective recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) after controlling for psychiatric symptom severity and mental-health-related burden on daily life. RESULTS: After accounting for covariates, employment hope significantly contributed to the regression model explaining subjective recovery. The overall model of predictor variables explained 52.5% of the variance in recovery. The results further explore the relationships between EHS-14 and RAS subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that employment hope is a key intervention target to bolster subjective recovery in this vulnerable population.

Reciprocal coproduction as a basis for the diffusion of global health innovations.

Global health reciprocal innovations originate in low-income and middle-income countries as well as high-income countries before their developers communicate about them with potential adopters in other countries as a transnational team. While communication technology has enabled a more rapid and broader sharing of information about innovations to prevent disease and improve health, innovations of various types have spread among countries, at all levels of income, for many centuries. In this article, we introduce the idea of reciprocal coproduction as a basis for the international sharing of information about innovations that exhibit potential for improving global health. Reciprocal coproduction occurs through two relational team-based processes: developer-led reinvention of an innovation so that it retains its desirable causal effects and implementer-led adaptation of that innovation so that it is compatible with new contexts into which it is introduced. Drawing on research and our own experiences across a range of health issues, we discuss common barriers to reciprocal coproduction and the diffusion of reciprocal innovations. We conclude with lessons drawn from dissemination and implementation science about the effective translation of reciprocal innovations from country to country so that researchers, policy-makers and social entrepreneurs can best ensure equity, accelerate adoptions and heighten the likelihood that global health reciprocal innovations will make a positive difference in health.

Impact of fatty acid composition on markers of exocrine pancreatic stimulation in dogs.

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs is typically managed with a low-fat diet. Human research suggests that consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) may lessen pancreatic enzyme release compared to consumption of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Twelve healthy adult colony dogs were fed a meal of cod and rice with either 3% metabolizable energy (ME) fat (control), high MCT (25% ME MCT oil, 25% ME butter), high saturated LCFA (50% ME butter), or high unsaturated LCFA (50% ME canola oil) in a 4-period by 4-treatment crossover design. Serum concentrations of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, gastrin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum activities of amylase and DGGR lipase (1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(69-methylresorufin) ester lipase) were measured at times 0 (fasted), 30, 120 and 180 minutes post-prandially. Following a 3-or 4-day wash-out period, each dog was assigned a new diet and the process was repeated for all treatments. Data were analyzed as a repeated-measures mixed model ANOVA. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were run using Tukey-Kramer adjusted p-values. Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to evaluate residual normality. All statistical assumptions were sufficiently met. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Of the markers tested, only serum triglyceride concentrations were affected by treatment, with consumption of high MCT resulting in lower triglycerides than both LCFA groups at times 120 and 180 minutes (P<0.0001). As expected, the high MCT group had higher triglycerides compared to the control group (P<0.0001). The type of dietary fat consumed had little acute impact on most markers of exocrine pancreatic stimulation in healthy dogs.

Outcomes of a peer-led navigation program, PARTNER-MH, for racially minoritized Veterans receiving mental health services: a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility and acceptability.

This pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptability of PARTNER-MH, which aimed to engage racially diverse Veterans in mental health services, facilitate their active participation in care, and improve their communication with providers. Fifty participants were randomized to the intervention or a waitlist control group. For primary outcomes, we assessed the feasibility of the study design and PARTNER-MH's feasibility and acceptability. For secondary outcomes, we explored preliminary effects on patient engagement, patient activation, shared decision-making, and health-related outcomes. The study had a recruitment rate of 68%, enrollment rate of 91%, and a follow-up retention rate of 72%. For intervention feasibility and acceptability, fidelity scores were satisfactory and improved over time, session attendance was modest with 33% of participants completing ≥6 sessions, and 89% of participants were satisfied with the intervention. For secondary outcomes, patients in the intervention arm showed significant improvement on self-reported mental health and depression, compared with those in the control group at both 6- and 9-month follow-ups. However, there were no significant differences between study arms on the other measures. Pilot results provide support for future testing of PARTNER-MH in a larger trial, although modifications are needed to increase session attendance and follow-up retention rate. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: The study was preregistered at Clinical Trials.gov. The study Trial registration number is ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04515771.

This study tested whether a peer-led navigation program, PARTNER-MH, can be delivered effectively by peer specialists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare system to racially minoritized Veterans who are receiving mental healthcare. The study evaluated our ability to recruit and retain participants, deliver the intervention, and examined satisfaction with the program. We also explored preliminary effects of the program. Participants were successfully recruited for the study and peers were able to deliver the program effectively. Participants reported high satisfaction with the program and significant improvements in mental health outcomes, although completion rate of the program was low. Results provide support for future testing of PARTNER-MH in a larger trial, with modifications to increase program session attendance and retention.

Racial disparities in the workplace: The impact of isolation on perceived organizational support and job satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: Prior research indicates Black employees may be particularly vulnerable to job dissatisfaction and that social support at work is a potential resource that could influence employee outcomes. This study examined racial differences in workplace social networks and support, and how these factors may contribute to perceived organizational support and, ultimately, job satisfaction among mental health workers. METHOD: Using data from an all-employee survey in a community mental health center (N = 128), we assessed racial differences in social network supports, hypothesizing that Black employees would report smaller and less supportive social networks, and lower levels of organizational support and job satisfaction compared to White employees. We also hypothesized that workplace network size and support would be positively associated with perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Hypotheses were partially supported. Compared to Whites, Blacks had smaller workplace networks that were less likely to include supervisors, were more likely to report workplace isolation (naming no workplace social ties), and were less likely to seek advice from their social ties at work. Regression analyses showed that Blacks and employees with smaller networks were more likely to perceive lower levels of organizational support, even after controlling for background variables. However, race and network size did not predict overall job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings suggest that Black mental health services staff are less likely to have rich, diverse workplace networks than their White colleagues, which may put them at a disadvantage in terms of accessing support and other resources. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring Factors Impacting the Implementation of Recovery-Oriented Treatment Planning on Acute Inpatient Mental Health Units.

PURPOSE: The current literature on operationalizing and implementing recovery-oriented inpatient care in diverse settings remains limited. The present study systematically examined factors affecting the implementation of one aspect of recovery-oriented care in a large and diverse national sample of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) inpatient mental health units. METHOD: VHA inpatient mental health units were scored on the Recovery-Oriented Acute Inpatient scale (RAIN). Sites scoring either one standard deviation above (n = 8; i.e., high-scoring sites) or one standard deviation below (n = 5; i.e., low-scoring sites) the mean on the RAIN factor of inpatient treatment planning subscale were included for additional analyses (N = 13). We used a qualitative approach known as emergent thematic analysis to assess the implementation of inpatient treatment planning elements (e.g., goal setting, shared decision-making) from qualitative interviews, observation notes, and chart reviews collected for the 13 sites. The analysis was guided by Normalization Process Theory. RESULTS: The eleven themes that emerged across the elements of recovery-oriented inpatient treatment planning mostly represented commonalities across sites, such as a shared treatment philosophy of acute care. However, five themes emerged as "differentiators" that distinguished high- and low-scoring sites and included veteran input, elicitation of recovery goals, the value of group programming, and the purpose of family involvement. CONCLUSION: Findings provide insight into contextual factors and processes that impacted the implementation of recovery-oriented treatment planning at these VHA inpatient mental health units. To further facilitate the implementation of recovery-oriented inpatient treatment planning elements, future research should examine staff's collective understanding of recovery-oriented inpatient care.

Recovery-oriented inpatient mental health care and readmission.

OBJECTIVE: This article examines the relationship between inpatient mental health units' adherence to recovery-oriented care and 30-day patient readmission. METHOD: The sample included patients admitted to one of 34 Veterans Health Administration inpatient mental health units. Recovery-oriented care was assessed using interviews and site visits. Patient characteristics and readmission data were derived from administrative data. FINDINGS: Overall recovery orientation was not associated with readmission. Exploratory analyses found higher scores on a subsample of items pertaining to inpatient therapeutic programming were associated with lower patient readmissions. Additionally, patients with more prior service use and substance abuse or personality disorders were more likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A growing body of literature supports the association between psychotherapeutic services in inpatient units and better patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to examine this association. More work is needed to develop appropriate psychotherapy services for the inpatient setting and support their implementation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Proactive, Recovery-Oriented Treatment Navigation to Engage Racially Diverse Veterans in Mental Healthcare (PARTNER-MH), a Peer-Led Patient Navigation Intervention for Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Veterans in Veterans Health Administration Mental Health Services: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health care disparities are persistent and have increased in recent years. Compared with their White counterparts, members of racially and ethnically minoritized groups have less access to mental health care. Minoritized groups also have lower engagement in mental health treatment and are more likely to experience ineffective patient-provider communication, which contribute to negative mental health care experiences and poor mental health outcomes. Interventions that embrace recovery-oriented practices to support patient engagement and empower patients to participate in their mental health care and treatment decisions may help reduce mental health care disparities. Designed to achieve this goal, the Proactive, Recovery-Oriented Treatment Navigation to Engage Racially Diverse Veterans in Mental Healthcare (PARTNER-MH) is a peer-led patient navigation intervention that aims to engage minoritized patients in mental health treatment, support them to play a greater role in their care, and facilitate their participation in shared treatment decision-making. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of PARTNER-MH delivered to patients over 6 months. The second aim is to evaluate the preliminary effects of PARTNER-MH on patient activation, patient engagement, and shared decision-making. The third aim is to examine patient-perceived barriers to and facilitators of engagement in PARTNER-MH as well as contextual factors that may inhibit or promote the integration, sustainability, and scalability of PARTNER-MH using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. METHODS: This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of PARTNER-MH in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health setting using a mixed methods, randomized controlled trial study design. PARTNER-MH is tested under real-world conditions using certified VHA peer specialists (peers) selected through usual VHA hiring practices and assigned to the mental health service line. Peers provide PARTNER-MH and usual peer support services. The study compares the impact of PARTNER-MH versus a wait-list control group on patient activation, patient engagement, and shared decision-making as well as other patient-level outcomes. PARTNER-MH also examines organizational factors that could impact its future implementation in VHA settings. RESULTS: Participants (N=50) were Veterans who were mostly male (n=31, 62%) and self-identified as non-Hispanic (n=44, 88%) and Black (n=35, 70%) with a median age of 45 to 54 years. Most had at least some college education, and 32% (16/50) had completed ≥4 years of college. Randomization produced comparable groups in terms of characteristics and outcome measures at baseline, except for sex. CONCLUSIONS: Rather than simply documenting health disparities among vulnerable populations, PARTNER-MH offers opportunities to evaluate a tailored, culturally sensitive, system-based intervention to improve patient engagement and patient-provider communication in mental health care for racially and ethnically minoritized individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04515771; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04515771. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37712.

Health care workers' perspectives on care for patients with injection drug use associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE).

BACKGROUND: Despite high morbidity and mortality, patients with injection drug use associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE) lack standardized care, and experience prolonged hospitalization and variable substance use disorder (SUD) management. Our study's objective was to elicit perspectives of health care workers (HCWs) who deliver care to this population by understanding their perceived patient, provider, and system-level resources and barriers. METHODS: This qualitative study included interviews of HCWs providing care to patients with IDU-IE from January 2017 to December 2019 at a single Midwest academic center. Based on electronic medical record queries to determine high and low rates of referral to SUD treatment, HCWs were selected using stratified random sampling followed by convenience sampling of non-physician HCWs and a patient. Study participants were recruited via email and verbal consent was obtained. The final sample included 11 hospitalists, 3 specialists (including 2 cardiovascular surgery providers), 3 case managers, 2 social workers, 1 nurse, and 1 patient. Qualitative semi-structured interviews explored challenges and resources related to caring for this population. Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Minor Lite was used for thematic data using an inductive approach. RESULTS: Three major thematic categories emerged relative to patient-level barriers (e.g., pain control, difficult patient interactions, social determinants of health), provider-level barriers (e.g., inequity, expectations for recovery, varying levels of hope, communication style, prescribing medication for SUD), and system-level barriers (e.g., repeat surgery, placement, resources for SUD and mental health). The need to address underlying SUD was a prominent theme. CONCLUSION: Practical steps we can take to improve treatment for this population include training and coaching HCWs on a more person-centered approach to communication and transparent decision-making around pain management, surgery decisions, and expectations for SUD treatment.

Evaluation of a pet-separating automatic feeder and high-frequency meal feeding for weight loss in multi-cat households.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine if a feeder system providing individualized food access and automatic dispensing of meals makes weight-loss programs in multi-cat homes easier for cat owners; and (2) to assess if feeding six meals daily reduces food-seeking behavior and increases calorie requirements vs two meals per day. METHODS: Adult cats with body condition scores (BCSs) of 7/9 or greater underwent a weight-loss plan for up to 6 months using a traditional feeding bowl with two meals per day (B2) or an automatic feeder with two meals (A2) or six meals (A6) per day. Cats were weighed at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26 and food intake was adjusted to maintain weight-loss rates between 0.5% and 1.5% body weight per week. Owner questionnaires were completed at each study visit. RESULTS: Twenty-three cats were included in the study. Cats fed from the automatic feeders were more likely to reach ideal body condition (P = 0.006), with 83.2% of cats in A6, 40% of cats in A2 and no cats in B2 achieving a BCS of ⩽6/9. Owners of cats fed from automatic feeders reported the weight-loss plan was easier vs owners of cats fed from bowls (P = 0.01). Owners using the automatic feeders also reported fewer incidences of certain food-seeking behaviors. Neither percent body weight lost per week nor calorie intake per kg differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Feeding six instead of two meals daily did not result in faster rates of weight loss or the need to increase calorie intake to maintain appropriate rates of weight loss. However, use of an automatic feeder that provided separated, portioned meal feeding made the weight-loss program easier, reduced food-seeking behaviors and improved the overall success of the weight-loss plan.

Inpatient Mental Healthcare before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Prior studies have demonstrated disruption to outpatient mental health services after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inpatient mental health services have received less attention. The current study utilized an existing cohort of 33 Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) acute inpatient mental health units to examine disruptions to inpatient services. It further explored the association between patient demographic, clinical, and services variables on relapse rates. Inpatient admissions and therapeutic services (group and individual therapy and peer support) were lower amongst the COVID-19 sample than prior to the onset of COVID-19 while lengths of stay were longer. Relapse rates did not differ between cohorts. Patients with prior emergent services use as well as substance abuse or personality disorder diagnoses were at higher risk for relapse. Receiving group therapy while admitted was associated with lower risk of relapse. Inpatient mental health services saw substantial disruptions across the cohort. Inpatient mental health services, including group therapy, may be an important tool to prevent subsequent relapse.

Introduction to the special section: A call to action to address psychiatric rehabilitation workers' well-being.

The well-being of the psychiatric rehabilitation workforce is a growing concern, particularly as a result of the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand for mental health services. Research focusing on this aspect of psychiatric rehabilitation services remains limited but is important in supporting a resilient mental health workforce. This special section presents four papers that focus on aspects of worker well-being and burnout, including drivers of well-being and other outcomes, as well as exploring potential action steps and contexts that organizations could consider in their efforts to bolster well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Determinants of Long Immunization Clinic Wait Times in a Sub-Saharan African Country.

The wait time clients spend during immunization clinic visits in low- and middle-income countries is a not well-understood reported barrier to vaccine completion. We used a prospective, observational design to document the total time from client arrival-to-discharge and all sequential provider-client activities in 1 urban, semi-urban, and rural immunization clinic in Nigeria. We also conducted caregiver and provider focus group discussions to identify perceived determinants of long clinic wait times. Our findings show that the time from arrival-to-discharge varied significantly by the clinic and ranged between 57 and 235 minutes, as did arrival-to-all providers-client activities. Focus group data attributed workflow delays to clinic staff waiting for a critical mass of clients to arrive for their immunization appointment before starting the essential health education talk or opening specific vaccine vials. Additionally, respondents indicated that complex documentation processes caused system delays. Research on clinic workflow transformation and simplification of immunization documentation is needed.

Recovery-oriented acute inpatient mental health care: Operationalization and measurement.

OBJECTIVE: The current article describes efforts to develop and test a measure of recovery-oriented inpatient care. METHOD: The Recovery-oriented Acute INpatient (RAIN) scale was based on prior literature and current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy and resources and further revised based on data collection from 34 VHA acute inpatient units. RESULTS: A final scale of 23, behaviorally anchored items demonstrated a four-factor structure including the following factors: inpatient treatment planning, outpatient treatment planning, group programming, and milieu. While several items require additional revision to address psychometric concerns, the scale demonstrated adequate model fit and was consistent with prior literature on recovery-oriented inpatient care. Conclusions and Implementations for Practice: The RAIN scale represents an important tool for future implementation and empirical study of recovery-oriented inpatient care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Organizational conditions that influence work engagement and burnout: A qualitative study of mental health workers.

Objective: Clinician burnout in healthcare is extensive and of growing concern. In mental health and rehabilitation settings, research on interventions to improve burnout and work engagement is limited and rarely addresses organizational drivers of burnout. This study sought to elaborate on the organizational influence of burnout and work engagement in mental health. Methods: We randomly selected 40 mental health clinicians and managers who were participating in a burnout intervention and conducted semi-structured interviews to understand their views of organizational conditions impacting burnout and work engagement. Data were analyzed using a thematic analytical approach. Results: Analyses yielded three major themes where organizational contexts might reduce burnout and increase work engagement: (a) a work culture that prioritizes person-centered care over productivity and other performance metrics, (b) robust management skills and practices to overcome bureaucracy, and (c) opportunities for employee professional development and self-care. Participants also referenced three levels of the organizational context that they believed influenced burnout and work engagement: front-line supervisors and program managers, organizational executive leadership, and the larger health system. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Findings point to several possible targets of intervention at various organizational levels that could guide the field toward more effective ways to reduce burnout and improve work engagement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors that affect quality of care among mental health providers: Focusing on job stress and resources.

Objective: High-quality, person-centered care is a priority for mental health services. The current study conducted secondary data analysis to examine the impact of job stress (i.e., interaction with high-risk consumer cases, increased caseload, emotional exhaustion) and resources (i.e., increased organizational and supervisory support, autonomy, role clarity) on providers' perceived quality of care. Methods: Data consisted of 145 direct care providers from an urban community mental health center. Structural equation modeling was used for testing the hierarchical regression model, sequentially adding job stress and resource variables in the prediction models for the quality of care (i.e., person-centered care, discordant care [conflict with consumers and tardiness]). Results: Person-centered care was positively associated with increased role clarity, organizational support, and larger caseload size, while a lower level of discordant care was associated with lower emotional exhaustion, smaller caseload size, less interaction with high-risk consumer cases, and with increased role clarity. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Resources on the job may be particularly important for improved person-centered care, and lowering job stress may help reduce discordant care. The current study suggests the need for the mental health organizations to attend to both job stress and resources for providers to improve the quality of care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychosocial outcomes of a pilot study of work-tailored cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for adults with serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: Many people with serious mental illness (SMI) continue to struggle with work functioning despite the receipt of supported employment (SE) services. In response, adjunctive interventions to SE have begun to be developed. One such approach, the cognitive behavioral therapy for work success (CBTw) intervention, targets cognitive and behavioral barriers to competitive work success in adults with SMI. Using a pre-post design, this pilot study examined the psychosocial outcomes of the CBTw program in 52 adults with SMI receiving SE. METHOD: Recovery attitudes, work-related self-efficacy, self-esteem, and symptom domains (depression, anxiety, psychosis) were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Paired samples t-tests examined changes in outcomes over time. RESULTS: At posttreatment, participants had significant improvements in recovery attitudes, self-esteem, depressive, and negative symptoms. Other psychosocial outcomes did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot work demonstrates CBTw is a promising intervention to improve recovery and wellness in SMI.

Pre-implementation Evaluation of PARTNER-MH: A Mental Healthcare Disparity Intervention for Minority Veterans in the VHA.

To design PARTNER-MH, a peer-led, patient navigation program for implementation in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health care settings, we conducted a pre-implementation evaluation during intervention development to assess stakeholders' views of the intervention and to explore implementation factors critical to its future adoption. This is a convergent mixed-methods study that involved qualitative semi-structured interviews and survey data. Data collection was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We interviewed and administered the surveys to 23 peers and 10 supervisors from 12 midwestern VHA facilities. We used deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the qualitative data. We also conducted descriptive analysis and Fisher Exact Test to compare peers and supervisors' survey responses. We triangulated findings to refine the intervention. Overall, participants viewed PARTNER-MH favorably. However, they saw the intervention's focus on minority Veterans and social determinants of health framework as potential barriers, believing this could negatively affect the packaging of the intervention, complicate its delivery process, and impact its adoption. They also viewed clinic structures, available resources, and learning climate as potential barriers. Peers and supervisors' selections and discussions of CFIR items were similar. Our findings informed PARTNER-MH development and helped identify factors that could impact its implementation. This project is responsive to the increasing recognition of the need to incorporate implementation science in healthcare disparities research. Understanding the resistance to the intervention's focus on minority Veterans and the potential barriers presented by contextual factors positions us to adjust the intervention prior to testing, in an effort to maximize implementation success.

Effect of a Leucine/Pyridoxine Nutraceutical on Caloric Intake and Body Composition of Obese Dogs Losing Weight.

The aim of this 29-week randomized, positively and negatively controlled study was to investigate whether a nutraceutical containing 1 g leucine and 13 mg pyridoxine can enhance weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass in obese dogs. Twenty-four healthy, 2-year-old beagles were initially divided into obesification (n = 18) or ideal body weight groups (n = 6). After obesification, the 18 dogs were divided into three weight loss groups and fed one of the following over 12 weeks: nutraceutical with canned adult diet (CAD; ObN), placebo with CAD (ObP), or a canned therapeutic weight loss diet (WLD). Dogs in the ideal body weight (IBW) group were fed maintenance calorie requirements with CAD over 12 weeks. Based on MANOVA, ObN and WLD lost similar amounts of total weight (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 4.4 ± 1.1 kg, respectively) and fat mass (3.1 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 kg, respectively) after 12 weeks of treatment, and more than ObP (1.1 ± 1.2 kg weight; 0.9 ± 1.0 kg fat; p < 0.0001). These data show the nutraceutical is a promising option for successful weight loss in dogs. Maintenance levels of CAD were able to induce weight loss without risk of hypo- or anorexia, or the need to switch diets or restrict energy intake.

Assessing Nutritional Requirements and Current Intake.

To provide the best dietary recommendations to maintain optimal patient health, veterinarians must be able to assess a patient's nutritional status and offer necessary diet adjustment recommendations. Because obtaining accurate diet histories and answering owner questions about specific diet options can be time-consuming, this article summarizes efficient methods to complete this process. Short case illustrations of common nutrition calculation equations and an example diet history form are included. Members of the entire veterinary team can be involved with the assessment process to reduce the veterinarian's workload, while improving the quality of information obtained and the recommendations made for the pet.