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OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
TO
VETERINARY SUPPORT STAFF

    
VSPN CE Course TECH158-1014: Nutritional Support for the Canine and Feline Hospitalized Patient
Audio and Text: In some of the course Real Time Sessions the lecture will be predominantly audio
while in others the lecture will be predominantly text.

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Instructor(s): Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition)
Course Open: October 1-November 2, 2014
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, October 8, 15 and 22; 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 instructors 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 one of the Practice Sessions.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is geared toward veterinary technicians, especially those working with critical care patients. Participants should already have a strong grasp of basic nutrition and disease processes that may inhibit appropriate nutrient uptake.
VSPN CE Course: This has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. Veterinary Information Network's RACE provider number is #22.

Course Description:
Advancements in veterinary medicine continue to occur; however, sometimes good nutrition is overlooked as to its importance in the well-being of our patients. Nutrition is more than just a source of calories for fuel to run the machine; it is critical for good health and healing. Veterinary technicians can provide essential input to veterinarians in identifying patients in need, formulating and implementing support, and providing extended follow up care with the patients. This course will provide the tools to accomplish good nutritional support for our hospitalized and critical care patients by looking at the individual needs and abilities of each patient.

This course consists of THREE (3) Real Time Sessions of ninety (90) minutes each, 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.

*The lecture portion of this course will combine text and audio presentation, please be prepared to listen. *To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

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): There is no required textbook for this course.

Recommended Textbook(s):

About the Instructors:
Ann Wortinger is a published author and has specialty certification in Emergency Critical Care, Small Animal Internal Medicine, and Nutrition. Her experience in emergency and specialty practices, as well as well as in education provides solid experience in understanding nutrition and how it affects the overall condition of our patients. She is president-elect for the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT). Ann is currently working as the hospital administrator at Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Services in Allen Park, Michigan.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session October 8): Recognizing Who Needs Nutritional Support
Content: Recognizing that a problem exists is the first part of addressing the problem. We'll go through who needs nutritional support, how best to provide it. Included will be a discussion on problems that lead to malnutrition, and common adverse effects of nutritional support

Week 2 (Real Time Session October 15): Getting the Food in the Patient and Avoiding Complications
Content: Nutrition doesn't do you any good if the patient either doesn't eat the food or isn't receiving adequate amounts of food. Guidelines for initiation of nutritional support and calculation of caloric requirements will be given. We'll also discuss tube feeding options and common complications that can occur.

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 22): Feeding Orders and Insuring Successful Diet Changes
Content: Writing feeding orders in the hospital will be covered. As well as some diet options and suggestions for specific disease processes. Ultimately, we may want or need to transition the patient to another diet, how are we going to do this and when?

CE Credits: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird special if enrolled by September 18, 2014)

* 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 at 5 pm ET October 8,2014, or when the maximum number of participants is reached.
*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
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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 VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
*Note: "This course is approved for 4.5 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.

The CE team:

Charlotte Waack, RVT, CVT
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616
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