TECH126-0905: Canine Osteoarthritis Life Long Management (Large Breed Canine Nutrition)

INSTRUCTOR:
Geneva Acor, DVM, MS

DATES:
September 13 - October 3, 2005
Real Time Sessions: Friday Evenings; September 16 & 23 from 9:30pm - 11:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to present key issues in the nutritional management of canine osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is listed as the #1 cause of chronic pain in dogs and the 7th most common illness reported to Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. Nutritional management of osteoarthritis begins with the puppy, especially recommendations supported by research for the large breed puppy. Throughout adult and into mature and senior life stages, specific recommendations can improve the quality of life for pets. New research on nutrigenomics and the role of fatty acids in canine osteoarthritis is also explained.

This course will consist of two (2) ninety minute real time sessions; library materials supplementing the chapters in the required text; multiple choice quizzes (after each real time session) designed to enhance course effectiveness and material retention; a cumulative final online; and interactive message board discussions.

This course is designed primarily for veterinary technicians. However veterinary staff and veterinary technician students wishing to have a better understanding of current clinical recommendations for the management of canine osteoarthritis through nutrition may also take the course.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify breeds with predisposition to developmental orthopedic disease
• List breeds of dogs with genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis
• Explain the recommendations for calcium and energy restriction in the large breed puppy
• Draw the osteoarthritis cycle of degeneration
• Describe the action of NSAIDs, fatty acids, and chondroprotectives on the osteoarthritis cycle of degeneration
• Define nutrigenomics and give one example

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week # 1 Week one will emphasize the importance of nutrition in developmental orthopedic disease. The concept of weight management and dietary recommendations will be discussed. The session will also include calculation of the energy needs and providing a specific feeding recommendation for the puppy including the neutered pet and transitioning to adult pet food.

• Defining developmental orthopedic disease
• Key nutritional factors in developmental orthopedic disease
• Calculating energy needs for the puppy, early neutered puppy, and older puppy

Week # 2 Week two will continue from management of the puppy through the adult, mature adult, and senior life stages. The osteoarthritis degenerative cycle will be presented with emphasis on the area of intervention of NSAIDs, fatty acids, and chondroprotectives. The session will also include calculation of the energy needs of the overweight adult and providing a specific feeding recommendation.

• Diagramming the osteoarthritis degenerative cycle
• Medical management of osteoarthritis including nutritional recommendations
• Calculating energy needs for the mature adult

Textbook: A textbook is not required and background material will be provided in the course library primarily through Internet links.
However, for additional background Chapters 17 and 26 in the following texts are recommended:
Pocket Companion to Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th Edition, Hand & Novotny. Mark Morris Institute Publishers 2000.
and Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th Edition, Hand, Thatcher, Remillard, Roudebush. Mark Morris Institute Publishers 2002.

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 opens 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 (RACE applied for)

TUITION:
$51 ($46.00 early bird special if registered before August 16, 2005). Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status) *VT students: You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

Minimum Requirements for Online CE

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. Each person must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

Note: "This course has been approved 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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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.