Thinking outside the tube - nutritional considerations for the critical patient
Tracks
Stream One - Plaza Terrace
| Wednesday, March 25, 2026 |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
| Plaza Terrace |
Overview
Kim Healy
Speaker
Kim Healy
Greencross Veterinary Hospital At Melbourne University
Thinking outside the tube - nutritional considerations for the critical patient
Abstract
Often when we think about the term critical care nutrition, majority of veterinary professionals would associate feeding tubes and convalescent diets. Whilst these are certainly important aspects, the reality is, they only make up a small component of our patients key nutritional factors.
In this advanced lecture we will be looking at how critical illness affects the nutritional requirements of our patients and how we can best support them. Expect to be introduced to new nutritional concepts, refreshed on previous knowledge and how we can put this all together to create an individualised complete nutritional plan.
A taste of what to expect:
- Micro Enteral Nutrition
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) & Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)
- Electrolyte derangements
- Fluid Balance
- DIY Recipes and calculations
The Veterinary Nurse’s role is crucial in a successful patient outcome and upon completion of this lecture, delegates will be equipped with the knowledge to introduce new nutritional protocols in their practice, provide superior nutritional support and develop a deeper understanding of nutritional care plans.
Whilst the target audience of this lecture is experienced ECC nurses, there will be valuable information for Veterinary nurses currently working in general practice with a keen interest in Nutrition. Junior nurses are also welcome to attend.
In this advanced lecture we will be looking at how critical illness affects the nutritional requirements of our patients and how we can best support them. Expect to be introduced to new nutritional concepts, refreshed on previous knowledge and how we can put this all together to create an individualised complete nutritional plan.
A taste of what to expect:
- Micro Enteral Nutrition
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) & Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)
- Electrolyte derangements
- Fluid Balance
- DIY Recipes and calculations
The Veterinary Nurse’s role is crucial in a successful patient outcome and upon completion of this lecture, delegates will be equipped with the knowledge to introduce new nutritional protocols in their practice, provide superior nutritional support and develop a deeper understanding of nutritional care plans.
Whilst the target audience of this lecture is experienced ECC nurses, there will be valuable information for Veterinary nurses currently working in general practice with a keen interest in Nutrition. Junior nurses are also welcome to attend.
Biography
Kim is a Certificate IV qualified nurse and has been nursing for 10 years, she is both a registered and accredited vet nurse with the VNCA and is Fear Free Certified.
In 2021, Kim passed her Veterinary Technician Speciality credentialling examination and became the 2nd VTS(Nutrition) in the Southern Hemisphere. She has a passion for educating anyone that will listen on all things Nutrition and has spoken at several educational events, as well as running Nutrition courses with Vetprac.
In 2025 Kim obtained her Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency and critical care through Vets now.
Kim has experience in many areas of the Veterinary world including Emergency, Reproduction, Canine Sports medicine, Rehabilitation, Advanced Dentistry and Internal Medicine.
Currently Kim spends her time working as a lecturer for the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing at Melbourne Polytechnic and as an Emergency and Critical care nurse at Greencross Veterinary Hospital at Melbourne University.
Alongside working, Kim is also a Final year Bachelor of Veterinary Technology student, completing the Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency and Critical Care (CertVN ECC) and she is a 2026 candidate for her 2nd Veterinary Technician Speciality in the area of Emergency and Critical Care (ECC).
