ATE 3605 - Small Animal Nutrition

School of Veterinary Technology

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2020 (570)

Requisites

Admission to Biology (Bachelor of Science) (BIOLOGY-BS) or
Admission to Veterinary Technology (Bachelor of Applied Science) (VETTC-BAS)

Course Description

This course provides identification and function of nutrients, understanding of pet food labels, and applications for wellness, life stages, and therapeutic nutrition (prescription foods) for dogs and cats.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the five major nutrients and water by
    1. Identifying the chemical characteristics of each of the nutrients and water.
    2. Identifying the physiologic roles of each of the nutrients and water.
    3. Explaining the relationship between nutrient deficiencies and excesses and the health of the animal.
    4. Classifying specific ingredients into each of the major nutrient categories.
  2. The student will demonstrate the ability to use the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publication and other references to determine the recommended nutrient profile dogs and cats as adults, in growth and reproduction, and in lactation by
    1. Explaining the standard nutrient profile and the role of AAFCO in its creation.
    2. Discussing the differences in nutrient profiles for growth, adult, senior, obesity prone, active and reproduction and lactation.
  3. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the energy needs and other nutrient requirements of a dog and cat by
    1. Calculating the energy needs and other nutrient requirements of a dog and cat by taking into account body weight, activity level, age, reproductive status and other relevant factors.
  4. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the regulations associated with pet food labels and AAFCO by
    1. Discussing the role of AAFCO in ensuring that pet foods meet nutritional requirements.
    2. Interpreting the meaning of terms, statements and values associated with pet food labels.
  5. The student will demonstrate knowledge relating to how the feeding guidelines and nutrient values of a specific pet food meets the nutrient requirements of a dog and cat by
    1. Identifying and interpreting the nutrient information on pet food labels.
    2. Determining how much food is required to meet the energy need.
  6. The student will demonstrate knowledge regarding the challenges in providing the nutrient requirements through the use of a homemade diet by
    1. Analyzing the nutrient components of homemade diet recipes.
    2. Identifying a homemade diet that has been designed to make the nutrient requirements of dogs and cats.
    3. Determining if the nutrient values of the homemade diet meet the nutrient requirements of a specific veterinary case.
  7. The student will demonstrate knowledge regarding how therapeutic pet foods play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of disease by
    1. Assessing the physiologic and pathologic basis for the recommendation of therapeutic pet foods in the prevention and/or treatment of disease.
    2. Identifying the function of nutrient components within therapeutic diets in preventing and treating disease.
    3. Identifying and interpreting the nutrient information on pet food labels of therapeutic diets.
    4. Contrasting the differences in diets designed for specific diseases.
  8. The student will demonstrate knowledge in the role of the veterinary technician in client education and counseling with nutrition recommendation in the small animal practice by
    1. Explaining the benefits of the therapeutic diets in language that a lay person or client could understand.
    2. Explaining the feeding method that the client will need to use in order to successfully implement the use of the therapeutic diet.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 9/25/01, BOT 10/17/01 Effective 20012 (Sess II, 2001). C&I 9/14/04, BOT 10/19/04, eff20042(0345). Flexible access approved. C&I 1/22/08, BOT 2/19/08, Eff 20081(0400). Was 3633; changed by State Field Review Effective 20101(0430). Was ATE 3637; changed to ATE 3605 by State Field Review Effective 20131 (0490) C&I Approval: 05/31/2013, BOT Approval: 06/17/2014, Effective Term: Fall 2014 (490). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2017 (530). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2019 (560).
C&I Approval: 09/05/2019, BOT Approval: 09/24/2019, Effective Term: Spring 2020 (570)

Related Programs

  1. Veterinary Technology (VETTC-BAS) (640) (Active)