Nurses Course
Small Animal Nutrition
ISVPS Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (NCert/VPPCert)
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- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
Overview
This course provides comprehensive knowledge of small animal nutrition. This discipline has advanced exponentially during recent years. It is now well recognised, both by veterinary staff and pet owners, that optimal feeding plays a vital role in helping to reduce the risk of common health problems at different life stages. Nutrition is also vital to convalescence and management of a wide range of clinical conditions.
Providing the correct nutritional advice is now considered to be a very important aspect of pet care. The task of formulating a feeding plan is often delegated to nursing staff who are directly involved with the care of hospitalised patients. Veterinary nurses. Veterinary nurses/technicians/paraprofessionals also play an important role in communicating with owners and providing feeding advice for pets at home.
Description
- To review and improve the learner’s understanding and knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of small animals in relation to pet nutrition
- To introduce students to basic nutrition and life-stage feeding of dogs, cats, and exotic pets
- To provide course participants with the opportunity to study a wide range of pet food choices, complete nutritional calculation,s and interpret commercial labels
- To familiarise delegates with new diets such as raw meaty, vegetarian, and vegan so they can discuss these options in a constructive and non-judgemental way
- To introduce the concepts of key nutritional factors so that delegates can use this knowledge to offer sound nutritional advice and formulate optimal feeding pans for well pets and those affected by a range of frequently encountered clinical conditions
Summary
This is an interactive course in which topics and practice cases are presented and explained by the instructor. The course is made up of four two-day attendance courses. The modules should be taken in order to allow delegates maximum benefit from the programme. For those wishing to complete the whole course and sit the final examination, you must complete all four two-day modules within three years.
This course is suitable for veterinary nurses/technicians/paraprofessionals.
Electronic and downloadable comprehensive course notes are provided for each module via our online platform Moodle. Refreshments are available throughout the day and lunch is included on all face-to face modules.
The programme course fees INCLUDE registration with ISVPS and all of the examination and assessment fees.
Delegates will also be provided additional study skills sessions aiding the delegate to develop their reflective skills. This will help them in their clinical assessments and revision of their learning, which can be used within their future career.
Venue: Swindon
Date: 09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Small Animal Nutrition
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
01 - Anatomy, nutrition and immunity
Anatomy, Nutrition, and Immunity
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Recognise the anatomy and explain the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Describe the rationale behind the physiology and biochemistry of digestion
- Demonstrate your ability to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys
- Apply your knowledge of the roles of calcium and phosphorus in order to describe how their levels are regulated
- State the main principles of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the liver
- Recognise the role of nutrition and Immunity
02 - Basic nutrition and life-stage feeding of cats and dogs
Basic Nutrition and life-stage feeding of cats and dogs
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Recognise the basic nutrients to better understand the principles of optimal nutrition
- Develop your ability to recognise the signs of nutritional health in small animals
- Explain how basic nutritional information can be used to determine energy requirements by completing calculations
- List the different key nutritional requirements of dogs and cats
- Paraphrase nutritional risk factor management in small animals
- Describe the principles and practical aspects of life stage nutrition
03 - Small mammal nutrition
Small mammal nutrition
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the anatomy of the digestive tract in rabbits, rodents, ferrets, sugar gliders and small primates
- Paraphrase the principles of digestive tract physiology in small mammals
- Recognise all of the common, and some of the uncommonly encountered exotic mammalian species (eg rabbits, rodents, ferrets, sugar gliders, small primates, etc), and be aware of their gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology, and dietary requirements.
- Describe how nutrition clinically affects relevant areas of other organ systems, and how to prevent this from occurring (e.g., calcium metabolism and the urinary tract in rabbits).
- Be able to construct nutrition plans for small mammals, for both general supportive care, and for the prevention or management of specific diseases.
- Discuss the importance of nurse clinics for the nutritional welfare of the most common small mammals kept as pets (e.g., Rabbits)
04 - Balanced nutrition for birds and reptiles
Balanced nutrition for birds and reptiles
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Recognise representative species of broad taxonomic groups of avian and reptilian species seen in practice, including native wildlife.
- Describe the anatomy of the digestive tract in a wide variety of birds: psittacines; raptors; wild UK birds and backyard chickens-
- Describe the anatomy of the digestive tract in reptiles such as terrestrial and freshwater Chelonia; snakes; representative species of commonly encountered lizard species (herbivore, omnivore, and carnivore)
- Paraphrase the principles of digestive tract physiology in birds and reptiles
- Develop your ability to understand the nutritional requirements of herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous reptiles
- Demonstrate your understanding of nutrition in birds and reptiles into decision making when selecting food to help maintain optimal nutritional status
- Evaluate pet food products for birds and reptiles in relation to clinical disease
- Describe how nutrition clinically affects relevant areas of other organ systems, and how to prevent this from occurring (e.g. calcium, phosphate, and Vitamin D metabolism in exotic avian and reptilian species).
- Be able to construct nutrition plans for these species, for both general supportive care, and for the prevention or management of specific diseases.
05 - Fashionable diets and impact of behaviour
Fashionable diets and impact of feeding behavior.
At the end of this lesson you should be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the effect of feeding on behavior in small animals
- Describe the potential challenges associated with the feeding of raw meaty, vegetarian, and vegan diets in cats and dogs
- Evaluate pet food choices, feeding trends, and types of pet food available
06 - Labelling and nutritional clinics
Labeling and nutritional clinics
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate your knowledge of proximate analysis into your evaluation of pet food products
- List types of pet food labeling and marketing concepts and demonstrate your ability to compare and contrast pet foods using nutritional data
- Calculate the nutrient content of pet food and explain the principles of dietary management in cats and dogs affected by nutritionally responsive conditions.
- List how modifying key nutritional factors in relation to the care of patients affected by common clinical conditions aids recovery
- Describe available therapeutic pet food choices in relation to the following types of disorders:
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Anorexia, critical illness, and convalescence
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Neoplasia
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Skeletal
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Periodontal disease
- Obesity
- Devise a systematic approach to the use of clinical information about small animal cases in order to select a suitable food type
- Demonstrate your ability to use nutritional data to calculate a feeding plan for patients under your care
- Identify ways by which the provision of nutritional support improves the welfare and outcomes for patients resulting in speedier recovery and shorter periods of hospitalisation
07 - Nutritional support for gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders
Gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Outline your approach to patients with upper gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting and regurgitation
- Devise a systematic approach to the provision of optimal nutritional support of patients suffering from acute/chronic diarrhoea and/or colitis
- Describe available therapeutic pet food choices in relation to hyperlipidaemic disorders
- Describe how a personalised nutritional management plan can benefit a patient diagnosed with endocrine disease(s)
- Compare and contrast the different approaches to appropriate dietary support of cats and dogs diagnosed with pancreatitis
- Apply nutritional principles to aid the dietary management of cats and dogs diagnosed with adverse food responses and other dermatological conditions
08 - Nutritional support of organ failure, the lower urinary tract and orthopaedic disorders
Nutritional support for organ failure, the lower urinary tract, and orthopaedic disorders
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Outline your approach to the modification of key nutritional factors in relation to the care of patients affected by specific clinical conditions
- Describe therapeutic pet food choices in relation to the following types of disorders:
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Organ failure (liver, kidney, heart, brain)
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Urolithiasis
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Lower urinary tract disorders
- Devise a systematic approach to the use of clinical information about small animal cases in order to select a suitable food type
- Demonstrate your ability to use nutritional data to calculate a feeding plan for patients under your care
Venue: Swindon
Date: 09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Small Animal Nutrition
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
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Early bird prices -
Regular prices
| Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £2,839.00 | - | £2,839.00 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £399.00 | £2,440.00 | £2,839.00 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme 8 monthly payments - Total cost | £399.00 | £359.00 x 8 | £3,271.00 |
| Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,406.80 | - | £3,406.80 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £478.80 | £2,928.00 | £3,406.80 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme 8 monthly payments - Total cost | £478.80 | £430.80 x 8 | £3,925.20 |
| Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £2,939.00 | - | £2,939.00 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £499.00 | £2,440.00 | £2,939.00 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme 8 monthly payments - Total cost | £499.00 | £359.00 x 8 | £3,371.00 |
| Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,526.80 | - | £3,526.80 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £598.80 | £2,928.00 | £3,526.80 |
| NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme 8 monthly payments - Total cost | £598.80 | £430.80 x 8 | £4,045.20 |
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. Payment for the course can be paid by credit card or bank transfer.
2. Please contact us for pricing relating to corporate veterinary groups and multiple booking discounts.
3. Full details regarding the course cancellation procedure can be found here: Terms and Conditions.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to confirm your booking.
Venue: Swindon
Date: 09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Small Animal Nutrition
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
Extend your knowledge, skills and work towards an achievable qualification
Our NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programmes offer you structured learning and enable you to access training whilst working around your busy practice life. You can choose to gain new knowledge and skills to take back to practice or you can work towards an achievable qualification. You will be required to indicate at the time of booking which certificate you think you are eligible for.
NCert/ VTCert: Requirements for Certificate registration
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Qualified RVNs/VNs who have attended formal training and have a qualification in veterinary nursing which can be supported with a certificate or their RCVS or Veterinary Council of Ireland number. RVCS/VOI number or qualification certificate to be uploaded at registration
- Veterinary technicians who have attended formal training and have a Veterinary Technicians qualification which can be supported with a certificate. Certificate to be uploaded at registration
- All applicants must be working in a veterinary practice or be able to have access to a veterinary practice in order to be able to complete the written assessment (for example, you may need to ensure that this applies if you are a qualified veterinary nurse or technician working in the veterinary industry)
- Delegates can start the programme as soon as they have graduated/qualified and will be eligible for examination and assessment on completion of the programme
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the below:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of NCert/VTCert holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate.
VPPCert: registration requirements
UK and Non-UK applicants
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Veterinary Nurses who have not attended formal training and therefore do not have a supporting certificate but have been working in practice in a Veterinary Nurse/Technician role for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date
- All delegates must be working in veterinary practice/clinical setting for the duration of the programme and certificate completion (in order to be able to complete the written assessment)
- All 3 of the eligibility documents below to be uploaded:
- a recent CV*(this should demonstrate that you have been working within a veterinary practice for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date)
- a signed letter from your employer stating that you are working in a veterinary practice in a nursing/technician role*
- a self-statement letter explaining your nursing experience and the relevance of taking the programme to your career*
Applicants who are not formally trained Veterinary Nurses/Technicians, such as laboratory research assistants, may apply but must provide all three of the support documents listed above.*
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the training programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the following:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of VPP certificate holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate
*Please note that all eligibility is reviewed and cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that all written assessments and examinations are to be completed in English
Venue: Swindon
Date: 09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Small Animal Nutrition
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurses Certificates Online Learning
Who can enrol on the NCert/VPPCert Certificate Online Learning Programmes?
These programmes are postgraduate qualifications and require a sound knowledge of veterinary anatomy, physiology and nursing prior to entry.
- NCert – you must be a RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse, or equivalent (e.g VCI – Veterinary Council of Ireland) if you are not practising in the UK. Proof of qualification will be required for eligibility.
- VPPCert – you must have been working in a veterinary environment for two years and provide evidence that you have been involved within the discipline which is being taught on the particular programme for which you are seeking access. This will require proof of employment with reference, current CV and self-certification
What does the NCert/VPPCert qualification consist of?
- Complete the full online structured programme
- Case report or clinical audit (depending on the programme followed); 2,500 words, requires academic writing and referencing
- An online applied knowledge examination (OAKE)
- A one-hour online examination consisting of 25 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- ISVPS are responsible for invigilation of the exam using an independent invigilation company
- Complete all of the evaluation surveys which consists of answering 5 MCQ’s before each module and 5 MCQs after each session.
How do I register for the NCert/VPPCert qualification via Online Learning Programmes?
Registration for the examination (and associated written assessment) is optional, and delegates undertaking an Improve Veterinary Education modular training programme can choose to attend the course without undertaking any assessment. Delegates choosing NOT to undertake any assessment receive acknowledgement of their ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) hours from Improve Veterinary Education but ARE NOT eligible to receive the NCert/VPPCert in their chosen discipline.
Registration is via a unique registration link provided at the start of the course via the online learning platform Moodle. Upon registration, you can anticipate email confirmation. (Please add english@isvps.org to your contacts to ensure you receive correspondence from ISVPS).
The confirmation email contains a password to access the ISVPS ‘Candidates’ Area’, which is separate to Improve Veterinary Education’s Learning Management System (LMS). In addition to providing access to assessment guidance, the ISVPS ‘Candidates’ Area’ also permits candidates to submit their written assessment to ISVPS anonymously.
How many CPD hours will this programme provide?
The programme is worth a minimum of 12 CPD hours (approximately 48 hours of delivered sessions and 52 hours self-study time).
How much self-study is required?
In addition to the 2500-word written assessment, we suggest that delegates spend an additional 52 hours of self-study. You will also require access to journals and articles via an internet library service (e.g. RCVS Knowledge; PubMed; Google scholar) which may incur an additional registration fee.
Will there be any additional costs involved?
The examination fee is included in the full course price however those delegates that require to resit any part of the assessments will be subject to additional assessment fees which are paid directly to ISVPS. You will also be provided with a suggested reading list where there may be additional cost of books and articles depending on the individual preferences.
How can I track my progress in the programme?
Progress of the completion of your module and programme are tracked in different ways.
Each module consists of 9 interactive lessons including reflective study which may involve case studies, MCQ writing and calculation practice during week 4, depending on the specific module. The interactive lessons will track and remember your progress whilst you complete it. When you return to a specific lesson or case study, you will return to the page that you last visited.
Once a lesson is completed, a tick will appear next to the lesson icon on the module course page. You will also see a progress indicator at the top right-hand corner of the course page and a more detailed Progress Bar in the collapsible side menu on the left.
Upon completing all 9 lessons and the 2 case studies, you will be awarded a Digital Badge, recognising your achievement. As you progress through the programme, badges will be awarded at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 completion stages.
What qualifications are needed for taking the programme if coming from another non-European country?
Proof of qualifications as awarded in the country of origin will be required prior to enrolment on the programme. These are required by ISVPS for exam registration. Please do contact us to discuss your eligibility for further information.
Do I have to access the programme via a specific browser?
Even though you may access our world-leading Learning Management System via any browser, it is recommended that you choose a browser that supports integrated HTML editor. Google Chrome or Firefox on a Windows operating system, and Chrome, Firefox or Safari on a Mac system.
While using Internet Explorer (Edge) should not cause any issue, it has been reported that some security settings and adherence to W3C standards prevent the browser from operating in some instances. If you experience a problem please try one of the other browsers before contacting Improve for additional support.
What additional learning resources are available?
- Notes to support every lesson
- Reading list
- Module Tutor (diploma holder and or above in their field)
- Improve Education Programme Tutor
- Discussion Forum
- Pre and post-module questions
- Reflective sessions incorporating multiple-choice writing and study skills
- Summary videos at the end of each week
Venue: Swindon
Date: 09 Oct 2023 - 29 May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Small Animal Nutrition
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
