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VSPN CE Course TECH212-1112: AVNT-Nutrition Series: Feline Osteoarthritis

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INSTRUCTOR(S): Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, CVT
COURSE OPEN: November 13-30, 2012
REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Tuesday, November 20, 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. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

* 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 course format is that of a VINgnette where interaction in the message boards discussing case scenarios will be required to enhance the single Real Time Session. Participants should plan on this more intensive study.
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://nutritiontechs.org. Courses are offered monthly except in June and December.

VSPN CE Course: Open to VIN and VSPN members. This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterninarians and veterinary technicians.

Course Description:
A feline patient presents with its owner who describes the cat has been lying around, not playing, or interacting with the family. What could this be? This course will review the veterinary nutrition technician's role in feline cases presenting with osteoarthritis (OA). Participants will learn to first help to identify the problem through the utilization of a thorough history with the cat owner. We will then look at the Key Nutritional Factors involved in managing osteoarthritis in cats. We will approach this disease using case-based reviews, looking at actual feline OA cases and working through them. Interactive elements and message board discussions will augment course notes for a complete understanding of KNF's and history taking specific to feline OA.

This course consists of one (1) 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 earn a certificate of completion for the course.
** A portion of the class will be presented using audio, 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 Textbook(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 November 20: Nutritionally Managing Osteoarthritis (OA)
Required Reading (prior to November 20 Real Time Session): Chapter 34; and the osteoarthritis article in the course library.
Content: In this single Real Time Session, participants will learn to perform a complete patient assessment and determine how it plays a role in helping to diagnose feline OA. The crucial part of feline OA is owner evaluation and participants will review and discuss the importance of a thorough history and how to elicit potential rule outs from owner history. We will discuss incorporating development of a feeding plan based on KNF's and communicating the importance of following this plan to owners. Follow up and in-depth cases will be covered in the message boards involving interaction among the course participants for active discussion.

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

Tuition: $50 ($45 early bird special if enrolled by October 31, 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 enrollment will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

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

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  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 is 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/VIN 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 the VSPN Course Catalog.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator

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
Barb Burri (Barb@vspn.org); ext. 764 (New Hampshire)
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193 (Illinois)
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 (Florida)
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178 (Nevada)
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159 (Virginia)
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187 (Colorado)

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
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