S26B - Nutritional Considerations for Companion Animals Treated for Neoplastic Disease

The nutritional status of cancer patients is often overlooked despite its potential impact on prognosis. Preventing malnutrition that may result in loss of body mass (cachexia) and depletion of essential nutrients is a major consideration in managing cancer patients that may have decreased appetite or have gastrointestinal signs resulting from their treatment or primary disease. Nutritional supplements are popular in both human and canine cancer patients. These are often viewed as safer alternatives or additions to chemotherapeutic medications; although efficacy and adverse effects are not always well documented. The use of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cancer patients (both human and canine) is common practice, as it has been for years. The proposed benefits of this include increasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to cancer therapies and improving their efficacy and a selective effect on cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells in addition to modulation of the inflammatory cascade associated with neoplastic disease. Other suggested nutritional modifications include supplementation with the amino acid arginine, limiting carbohydrate intake, functional foods and supplementation with antioxidants. These interventions require a critical evaluation as they may impact outcome and are top of mind for many owners for pets with cancer.