TECH115-0304: ACTION Program for Overweight Pets

INSTRUCTOR:
Geneva Keene Acor, DVM, MS

DATES:
March 1 - March 22, 2004
Real Time Sessions: Friday evenings March 5 and 12; 9:30pm - 11:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Goal of the course: The course will review patient (pet) assessment for weight and body condition score, feeding history, calculations of RER and DER, sources for calorie content of common pet foods, and recommendations for weight management or loss for the canine and feline. Using the basic information, the second session will provide a model protocol for coaching and monitoring the overweight pet.

The course is directed to veterinary technicians and practice nutritional counselors. However, veterinary support staff including receptionists and assistants who may have responsibilities in pet owner education are also encouraged to participate.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

• Conduct a patient assessment including target weight and body condition score
• Calculate the energy requirements for a variety of canine and feline patients
• Calculate the recommended volume of food based on the DER
• Establish a weight management protocol for a clinical practice
• Monitor and coach pet owners with pets on a weight management program

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK 1 - Patient assessment, energy calculations, recommendations for weight management
Content: This session will cover the elements of weight and body condition score assessment of the canine and feline patient. The student will be guided through the rationale of weight loss recommendations and will practice calculating the DER based on the target weight and the calculation of the recommendation for the volume of food based on the food calorie content. The importance of a feeding history and the common errors in history recording will be emphasized.

WEEK 2 - ACTION implementing the weight management protocol
Content: Using specific case examples, this session will implement the program with recommendations for monitoring and coaching the pet owner to success with the pet's weight management program. Specific tools to use in the practice including weight charting will be included.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course begins and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 3 CEUs

TUITION:
$48 ($43.00 early bird special if registered before February 2, 2004). Full time students of AVMA and Canadian accredited VT Programs are eligible for a discount of $24 (upon verification of student status)

** NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES February 16, 2004 so that we may get the course materials to you prior to the first real time session. Course materials are provided FREE by Hill's™ Pet Nutrition, Inc.

TO REGISTER:

1. You must be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. VIN Member DVM's SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

*VT students, please include your program directors name, school, and school phone number in the comments section of the CE registration form. Your registration will be delayed if this information is not included.
*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 3 hours of continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VIN/VSPN for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board.)

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, RVT, CVT
VSPN Content Director
Nanette@vspn.org or VSPNCE@vspn.org

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