C O L D  R I V E R  V E T E R I N A R Y  C E N T E R

CONCEPTS OF NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE

• Anal gland disease

• Basic health for dogs and cats

• Food intolerance

• Gingivitis

• Glucocorticoids

• Irritable bowel syndrome 

• Nutritional analysis

• Physical exams

• Physical features of cats

• Publications

Home page

The BioMedical Profile is a system of interpreting routine diagnostic tests based on organ functional relationships. The purposes of a BMP blood test are to identify:

1)  test results that deviate from the median value

2)  sub-clinical nutritional deficiencies

3)  organs that are under stress or disease

4)  nutritional therapies that addresses these imbalances  

All of our patients receive some form of nutritional therapy such as home prepared food, dietary supplements, or both. Using standard blood, hair, and urine tests we formulate a nutritional plan for each patient. The principal tests we require are a comprehensive chemistry profile     ("SuperChem" profile) complete blood count (CBC), thyroid profile (T3, T4, freeT4), and urinalysis through an independent lab such as Antech Diagnostic Laboratories. The results of these tests are used to interpret the individual's metabolic, hormonal, and nutritional balance. 

BMP report

Clients receive copies of the test results and the doctor's interpretation of the nutrient, hormonal, and metabolic imbalances. Telephone consultations or office visits can be scheduled to further describe the findings.  Comparison of the latest serum chemistry profile with previous results helps identify trends, such as progressive disease conditions. If our nutritional program is working, and owner compliance is good, we should see improvements in most if not all of the imbalances identified in the initial BMP.  

Re-Test interval

Critical care patients are re-tested soon after they start nutritional therapy. Most of our patients that have chronic, degenerative diseases are re-tested three months after starting their first nutritional program. Once the patient is stable or has recovered we stretch the re-test interval to 6 - 12 months; shorter intervals for geriatric patients. Patients who have returned to good health (normal balance) do not need to be re-tested.

As with any diagnostic practice, these blood test results should be interpreted in context with the history, current medication(s), physical examination, and other aspects of the patient's health. We take time to understand each patient's special needs.

Functional medicine 

The BioMedical Profile system includes certain organ functional relationships that are not apparent from reading individual test values. For example, one of the most common metabolic nutritional imbalances we see in dogs and cats is relatively high serum sodium (>150 mEq/L). The conventional practice of regulating sodium is to feed a sodium-restricted diet, add salt to food, or select appropriate fluid therapy.

Sodium balance is regulated at several points: in the salivary glands and gastrointestinal tract, heart, chemoreceptors, adrenal glands, and kidneys. In addition, competing minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium play a role; thyroid hormone acts on a sodium-potassium-ATPase enzyme (a transmembrane sodium  "pump"), and so on. Simply feeding a high- or low-sodium diet will not address all the inter-related factors that control sodium levels in the body. 

Gland therapy

In prescribing nutritional therapy to a patient we commonly make use of gland extracts or "glandulars". These are freeze-dried animal tissues derived from livestock raised without hormones or antibiotics. Glandulars are available in a number of formulations including vanilla-flavored extracts, tablets, and capsules. All are food-grade nutritional supplements, though we find the quality differs among manufacturers. Since these products are virtually identical to the organ meats a wild carnivore would eat, their inclusion into a nutritional program couldn't be more natural. Freeze-drying the raw product helps to ensure freshness, stability in storage, potency, and therapeutic effect. Glandulars are inexpensive, safe, and effective therapy for supporting normal organ function in cats and dogs. Many patients in our practice with a BioMedical Profile are prescribed some form of glandular therapy. We exercise caution in prescribing gland supplements to patients with a known sensitivity to beef, pork, or lamb (the food source of glandular pharmaceuticals).

Do nutritional supplements really work?

We find that the most effective way to correct metabolic imbalances is through the prescribed use of natural therapies that support the body's normal repair mechanisms. The success of a nutritional program depends on the owner providing a healthy diet to their pet, administering supplements, modifying the pet's environment or lifestyle when necessary, and properly addressing the underlying factors that contributed to disease. The beauty of a BioMedical Profile is the consistent way that it interprets a broad range of blood tests and guides the clinician towards proper nutritional therapy. In order to achieve normal physiologic function one has to correct all the imbalances simultaneously. A good holistic practitioner will consider all therapeutic modalities that may help the patient.

Home care

With the BioMedical Profile, the client receives copies of all the test results, our interpretation of the imbalances, and a plan for nutritional therapy. In most cases, the therapy is administered by the client, at home. We also encourage owners to work closely with their primary veterinarian for follow-up and hands-on medical care. The goal is to have everyone better informed about the nature and treatment of your pet's disease.

William K. Kruesi, D.V.M.  /2000