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Courses open for VSPNer registration

TECH201-0112: AVNT-Nutrition Series: Acute Gastroenteritis

INSTRUCTOR(S): Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, CVT

COURSE OPEN: January 16-February 2, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Monday, January 23, 2012; 8:00-9:30pm 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.

* The instructor for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend a Practice Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This advanced course is geared toward veterinary technicians, especially those working toward their VTS in Nutrition. Participants should already have a strong grasp of basic nutrition and disease processes.
The AVNT Nutrition Series is an on-going program hosted by VSPN in cooperation with the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) to promote advanced education in animal nutrition for credentialed veterinary technicians. Candidates for Veterinary Technician Specialist-Nutrition (VTS-Nutrition) through AVNT are eligible for education credit as specified by the AVNT credential requirements found at http://www.nutritiontechs.org. Courses are offered monthly except in June and December.
VSPN CE Course. This course has been submitted for RACE approval veterinary technicians only.

Course Description:
A patient presents with acute vomiting and diarrhea - what do you do? This course will review the veterinary nutrition technician's role in cases presenting with acute gastrointestinal signs. Participants will learn to nutritionally manage acute gastroenteritis patients through a case-based approach. Key nutritional factors (KNF) in managing acute gastroenteritis will be discussed. Interactive elements and message board discussions will augment course notes for a complete understanding of KNF's in case management.

This course will consist of one (1) ninety (90) minute Real Time Session, 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.
** The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation. Please be prepared to listen.

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

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

Required Texbook(s):

About the Instructor: Kara M. Burns is President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT). As an LVT with two master's degrees - physiology and counseling psychology she lectures internationally and has authored many articles and textbook chapters on nutrition. Kara sits on many national boards and committees. She was recognized as the NAVTA 2010 Veterinary Technician of the Year and was the 2011 Dr. Franklin Loew Lecturer. She was awarded an honorary VTS by the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session January 23): Nutritionally Managing Acute Gastroenteritis
Required Reading (prior to January 23 Real Time Session): Chapter 56; references to Chapters 51, 52, and 55 will also be helpful to review.
Content: In this single Real Time Session, participants will learn to perform a complete patient assessment and how this impacts Key Nutritional Factors (KNF) in the patient. We will discuss incorporating development of a feeding plan based on KNF's, communicating the importance of following this plan to owners, and resulting possible outcomes expected. Follow up and in depth cases will be covered in the message boards.

CE HOURS: 2.5 (1.5 hours of lecture, 1 hour for interaction in case studies on the message boards)

Tuition: $50 ($45 early bird if registered by January 2, 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 submitted for approval for 2.5 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).
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).
** 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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