TECH188-0512: Wellness Nutrition for the Canine and Feline

INSTRUCTOR(S): Mary Mould, RVT, BS

COURSE OPEN: May 8-June 8, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Tuesdays, May 15, 22, and 29, 2012; 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter
Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a practice session prior to the first Real Time Session. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first Real Time Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course is designed veterinary team members interested in the fundamental nutrition needs for well pet care.
VSPN CE Course. This course is RACE approved for veterinary technicians only.

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.

This course consists of three (3) ninety (90) minute Real Time Sessions, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.

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.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Texbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.
Recommended 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, M. S., Thatcher, C. D., Remillard, R. J., Roudebush, P., Novotny, B. J. (Eds). (2010). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th edition. Mark Morris Institute: Topeka, KS. http://www.markmorrisinstitute.org/sacn5.html.

About the Instructor: Mary Mould has years of experience in teaching small animal nutrition to veterinary technician students across the country.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session May 15): 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 (Real Time Session May 22): 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 (Real Time Session May 29): 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.

CE HOURS: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird if registered by April 24, 2012).
*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).
** To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first Real Time Session unless otherwise noted. If the first Real Time Session is on a weekend, course will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

**For more on how online CE works see the Participant Resource Center

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. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Note: "This course has been approved for 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: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
**Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE/VSPN/VSPN_M02231.htm

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & VSPN CE Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
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
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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