Parenteral nutrition: formulation, monitoring, and complications.

Because decreased caloric and nutrient intake can complicate the course of both mild and serious illness, parenteral nutrition (PN) is an important feeding modality for patients unable to receive adequate enteral nutrition. Although the effectiveness of PN has not been proven in animals, human studies have shown that using PN in appropriately selected cases can improve clinical outcome, reduce hospitalization time, and even reduce the overall cost of patient care. PN formulations for animals are readily available through pharmacies.

Parenteral nutrition: uses, indications, and compounding.

Decreased caloric and other nutrient intake can complicate the course of both mild and serious illness. With proper case selection, providing parenteral nutrition (PN) can improve clinical outcome, reduce hospitalization time, and reduce the cost of patient care. Many pharmacy facilities can compound PN formulations; with proper staff training and patient monitoring resources, PN can be administered in many veterinary practices.