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Nutrition is core to patient wellbeing but is often overlooked in the exam room. Yet nutrition is the 5th vital assessment of patients and is the basis for survival. Without proper nutrition patients can become deficient or over supplemented, which in turn creates deficiencies in other nutrients. When a veterinary practice neglects to discuss nutrition the client has no choice but to seek information from other sources such as advertisements, pet stores and the internet. Veterinarians normally do not have time to discuss nutrition with owners therefore veterinary assistants and technicians are core to client education. In addition, owners frequently ask questions and seek recommendations from the technician, often before they will ask the doctor.
Technicians can contribute significantly to client education and patient care by increasing their knowledge and understanding of nutrients, hence making confident, clear recommendations. Basic Principles of Companion Animal Nutrition covers the basics of nutrition and delves deep into energy and requirements. It examines the regulation of pet foods, ingredients, pet food labels and guaranteed analysis. It focuses on feeding management of patients for the pet’s entire life cycle.
Once students complete this course, they will be able to determine individual patient requirements and utilize key characteristics to recommend a diet specifically for that animal. Nutritional client education helps veterinary team members build lasting relationships with clients, ultimately increasing client compliance, hospital reputation and practice health. Make the 5th vital assessment part of practice patient protocols and help patients live a long and healthy life.
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Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- determine and describe the function of essential and nonessential nutrients for dogs and cats
- determine the metabolizable energy in pet foods
- calculate the estimated daily caloric intake for individual patients
- discuss the importance of nutrient balance in pet foods
- compare and contrast the differences between dog and cat metabolisms
- evaluate ingredients used to manufacture pet foods
- recognize the functions of each agency that regulates pet food manufacturing
- interpret ingredient lists
- compare the Guaranteed Analysis of several pet food products
- define the feeding requirements and caloric needs for each life stage
- determine feeding regiments to fit the needs of each patient
- calculate caloric intake for orphaned neonates
- estimate the growth patterns of various breeds
- evaluate the special requirements of performance/working/athletic dogs
- critique common myths associated with feeding pets
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This 8-week course discusses the basic elements and components of the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats. Both of these species have unique metabolisms and other factors that must be considered when making recommendations to clients.
This course will help the student understand the nutrients required to make a complete and balanced diet as well as the requirements of AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). In addition, students will be able to calculate the caloric needs for individual patients, based on their life style and/or disease. |
Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals, 3rd Edition Authored by: Linda P. Case, MS, Leighann Daristotle, DVM, PhD, Michael G. Hayek, PhD and Melody Foess Raasch, DVM
It is mandatory that each participant has access to this textbook as the content of the book is not reproduced within the course. It is up to each person to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and therefore will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is not included in the fee for this course.
The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook. One option is to purchase the text from Elseiver. The following link to the text on their website is provided as a courtesy.
Purchase Text From Elsevier
Important: Regardless of which option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays. VetMedTeam has no control over shipping delays and other related problems.
Limited Quantity eBook Code Offer:
VetMedTeam has a limited number of eBook text codes available for purchase. The cost of the eBook via this option is $40.00. If you are interested in purchasing a code please email us at CE@vetmedteam.com. VetMedTeam cannot guarantee the availability of codes so please look into other options while waiting for a reply. |
...Good refresher for reading and understanding dog and cat food labels.
...Pet food label portion--while I know a lot of it, there were a few new pieces I picked up that were surprising.
...The entire course was beneficial to me as I knew nothing about the course content. I enjoyed all of it.
...The feedback from Kara was awesome. She pointed out some things that I never thought about.
...Reading the chapters on growth, maintenance, and geriatrics, and further on were the best for me. I gained tidbits here and there, but the chapters on what we see every day were great.
...I enjoyed the book content and appreciated the instructors willingness to ensure understanding of the subject.
...Nutrients- how they work, excesses and deficiencies
...It was good to be able to access the course on my own schedule. |
VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while the course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules and participants do not have to be online at specific times to attend lectures. |
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:
- Interactive Assignments and Case Studies: Practical in nature - designed to help the student apply the newly learned material
- Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better.
- Course survey
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Basic Principles of Companion Animal Nutrition is an entry-level course designed for practice team members who have little to some background in nutrition. This course is appropriate for veterinary technicians and assistants who provide nutritional recommendations to clients. Veterinarians may also benefit from this course, as it will provide an insight into nutrition as it relates to companion animals.
The components of this course are critical to developing an understanding of why particular nutrients are used to provide nutritionally complete and balanced diets. Many of the assignments and case studies for this course require the use of hospital resources for completion. Students must have prior work experience or be presently employed in a veterinary practice in order to complete the assignments. |
Course meets the requirements for 20.00 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's 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. |
Participants may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course.
There are no real time sessions.
The design of this course allows each participant to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline |
This course utilizes content from Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals, 3rd Edition Linda P. Case, MS, Leighann Daristotle, DVM, PhD, Michael G. Hayek, PhD and Melody Foess Raasch, DVM; 2011 Elsevier |
 Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (IM-H)
Kara Burns is a licensed veterinary technician originally from New England, now living in Kansas. She holds a master’s degree in physiology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She began her career in human medicine working as an emergency psychologist in the Maine Medical Center emergency department. She also worked at Maine Poison Control as a poison specialist dealing with human and animal poisonings.
She then made the move to veterinary medicine and worked in small animal private practice and a small animal and avian practice in Maine.
Kara is the Founder and President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians, the tenth recognized specialty for veterinary technicians.
Currently, she works for Hill’s Pet Nutrition as the veterinary technician specialist working with the graduate technician profession in all aspects – National association, State vet tech associations, specialty vet associations, and national, regional, and specialty conferences.
She is also a member of many national and state associations and holds positions on many boards in the profession - such as the AAHA Yearly Conference Development Committee – Technician Chair; AAVN technician liaison; the NAVTA Journal editorial board; Chair - NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties; Exceptional Veterinary Team Advisory Board; VSPN Nutrition Board Moderator; NAHERC; and is the president of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association, to name a few.
She has authored many articles and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization.
Ms. Burns has been featured on the cover of the Veterinary Technician Journal and the NAVTA Journal. She was granted an honorary VTS – (Internal Medicine) in 2011. She is the 2010 NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year, as well as the 2011 Dr. Franklin Loew Lecturer. Kara has also been named the National Association of Professional Women "Woman of the Year" for 2010-2011 and the Cambridge Who’s Who in Professionals V.I.P. for 2010-2011. She was accepted into the International Women’s Leadership Association in 2012.
She enjoys spending time with her wife Dr. Ellen Lowery and their children. They are actively involved in coaching youth sports, 4-H, school activities, and church ministry. The family also includes three horses, two sheep, 2 pugs, a French bulldog, 3 birds, 4 indoor cats, a rooster, a hamster, a guinea pig, a blue–tongue skink, and a bearded dragon! |
May 15, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern May 28, 2013
September 01, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern September 14, 2013
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