TECH188-0810: Introduction to Canine and Feline Nutrition

INSTRUCTOR:
Mary Mould, RVT, AS

DATES:
August 3-September 9, 2010
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings, August 9, 23, and 30, 2010 (no class August 16); 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory course that provides identification and function of nutrients, understanding of pet food labels, and applications for wellness and life stages for dogs and cats. Fundamentals of energy and non-energy producing nutrients and their sources and functions will be discussed as well as the integration of concepts including digestion, absorption, and metabolism with application to normal nutritional needs.

The course will be presented in four (3) 90 minute real time interactive live sessions and will include online handouts, quizzes, and message board discussion interaction with both the instructor and other course participants. Mary Mould has years of experience in teaching small animal nutrition to veterinary technician students across the country.

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

• identify energy and non-energy producing nutrients and their sources and functions.
• identify health consequences of nutrient deficiency and excess.
• explain the differences in nutrient profile for growth, adult, senior, active, and reproduction and lactation.
• discuss pet food label information and regulation.
• calculate the resting and daily energy requirements for dogs and cats.
• demonstrate the role of the veterinary assistant or technician in client education and counseling for nutrition recommendations in the small animal practice.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required text for this course. The instructor recommends the following text for adjunctive reading:

• McCurnin, D. & Bassert, J. (2010). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7th Ed. Elsevier Health. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82142
• Hand & Novotny (2002). Pocket Companion to Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th ed. Mark Morris Institute http://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Nutrients, energy measured as heat, daily energy requirement and nutritional recommendations and calculations
Content: Understanding nutrient needs and the consequences of deficiency and excess are vital when making a nutritional recommendation. We will determine the recommended nutrient profiles of dogs and cats in adult maintenance and growth/reproduction and lactation. We will calculate the energy needs of a dog and cat and demonstrate how the feeding guidelines and energy content of a specific food meet the energy needs.

Week 2: Common additives in pet food, oxidation of fats and toxic foods
Content: Basic overview of additives, supplements, antioxidants found in pet food as well as toxic foods to both dogs and cats.

Week 3: Pet Food Labels and Life Stage Nutrient Profiles
Content: Reading a Pet Food Label using critical thinking to determine if all nutrients are met for a specific life stage of the animal. You will also understand the standard nutrient profile and the role of AAFCO.

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: 4.5

TUITION:
$90 ($81 early bird special if registered before July 20, 2010).
*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). 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 director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

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

**The Participant's Resource Center includes all you need to know about online CE with VIN and VSPN.

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee 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.
4. 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.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 4.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB 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 VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 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 VSPN or 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 withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org

VSPN CE Services:
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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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.