Cornell University Hospital for Animals
Eat well, live well: Your pet's nutrition is our specialty
The nutrition unit offers a variety of services for companion animals and equine. For more information on any of these offerings, please contact Dr. Joe Wakshlag or Angie Struble at 607.253.3060 (and ask for one of them to be paged).
Companion Animal Diet Consultation
Many of the dietary needs of your companion can be obtained by feeding a general over-the-counter or therapeutic commercial diet. However, in many cases, supplementation or increasing specific components in the diet are beneficial to maintaining or optimizing health. We are available to discuss your pet’s nutrition and how it affects the health and longevity of his/her life. Download consultation form.
Obesity Consultation
Obesity prevention can help eradicate many medical and surgical problems that we see every day and also improve and extend your pet’s quality of life. Obesity management is achieved through strategies to achieve satiety, attention to calorie intake, and knowing the weekly percentage of weight loss. We provide a detailed weight loss program for your pet, which includes recommendations for therapeutic or over-the-counter calorie restricted diets and the proper feeding guidelines. Our assistance can help your pet lose weight safely and effectively.
Homemade Diet Formulation
Many clients are interested in cooking for their companions. We often recommend feeding commercial products, however there are various disease entities and client concerns that warrant homemade formulations. We can provide recipes that are grain-free, gluten-free, or vegetarian for interested clients. Every pet’s nutritional needs differ, so we are happy to design a detailed and well-balanced diet specifically for your loved one.
Total Parenteral or Partial Parenteral Nutrition
In critical illness or situations in which your companion is not meeting the caloric requirements, intravenous nutrition may be required. Adequate and proper nutrition is very important for pets that are hospitalized and has a great impact on a pet’s attitude and the healing process. If you feel that your pet is in need of this service, please ask your primary clinician for a referral to our service.
Equine Forage and Diet Analysis
The feeding of your equine companion can be complex, particularly after diagnosis of certain medical conditions. A complete dietary analysis based on diet history, present supplementation, and forage analysis can help manage medical illnesses, and potentially improve the performance. Forages and concentrates can be analyzed, providing us with an exact list of the specific nutrients your horse is receiving. All of this information helps us generate a detailed report that will support your feeding plan for your equine companion or entire stable. Read more. Download consultation form.
