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Course Information:
In disease management, veterinary team members recognize that prevention, early detection, and early intervention are the first line of defense. However, this focus and discussion does not take place as often as it should when disease conditions are diagnosed. Therapeutic nutrition is an integral part of managing disease. This course will build on the foundation of basic nutrition knowledge and will explore prevalent disease conditions in dogs and cats and how best to manage these conditions nutritionally. We will look at the disease condition and discuss key nutrients (Key Nutritional Factors (KNFs) and their role in disease management. Veterinary teams will gain a better understanding of the role of nutrition in various disease processes as well as how to communicate the importance of nutrition to pet owners.

• Perform a nutritional history.
• Perform a diet calculation: DER, RER and feeding amounts.
• Lead a nutrition consultation with a client.
• Communicate the importance of nutrition and disease management with clients.
• Determine ideal body weight of obese and overweight patients.
• Identify Key Nutritional Factors for management of obesity and osteoarthritis.
• Calculate energy needs for weight loss, maintenance, and obesity prevention.
• Identify nutritional risk factors that predispose patients to disease.
• Describe and identify Key Nutritional Factors and their role in diet selection.
• Identify variations within certain disease types and stages.
• Develop a nutritional plan for management of common diseases.
• Discuss the role nutrition plays in management of disease.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been submitted (but is not yet approved) for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 21): The Power of Nutrition I - Managing Gastrointestinal disease, Diabetes, Liver Disease, CKD, and FLUTD
This week will identify nutritional risk factors and their role in gastrointestinal disease, diabetes, liver disease, CKD, and FLUTD. We will describe and identify Key Nutritional Factors (KNF) and their role in diet selection and identify variations within these disease types and stages. We will develop a nutritional plan for management of each of these diseases and learn to communicate the importance of nutrition and disease management with clients.

Week 3 (Real Time Session April 28): The Power of Nutrition II - Managing Dermatological Disease, Brain Aging, Cardiac Disease, and Cancer
This week will identify nutritional risk factors and their role in dermatological disease, brain aging, cardiac disease, and cancer. We will describe and identify Key Nutritional Factors (KNF) and their role in diet selection and identify variations within these disease types and stages. We will develop a nutritional plan for management of each of these diseases and learn to communicate the importance of nutrition and disease management with clients.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Tuition: $95 ($85 early bird special if enrolled by March 24, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).

1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.