Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition
Newly revised programme!
The science of small animal nutrition has advanced significantly 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, as well as helping in both convalescence and the nutritional 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 also play an important role in communicating with owners and providing feeding advice for pets at home.
This programme involves a careful examination of small animal clinical nutrition as a tool to answer nutritional enquiries from pet owners and for improving the nutritional status of both healthy pets and clinical cases.
This updated programme is ideal for healthcare professionals who wish to increase the depth of their nutritional knowledge and understanding in order to demystify the subject of nutritional names and numbers and advise on the latest advancements.
Your journey through our Certificate Programme
Timings, assessment and learning support
The individual courses are held within a face to face training environment, giving you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and share experiences. You can take one to three years to study towards the exam or opt to attend the individual modules.
If you are working towards the Certificate you will need to attend all taught modules and register for the multiple-choice question exam with ISVPS. Pre and post-module studying are structured around defined learning objectives and you are required to evaluate personal learning goals and record sources used for further study.
Each taught session concludes with a discussion consisting of case-based questions occupying the final 30 minutes of the session.
Please note:
The programme should be taken in sequence in order to gain maximum benefit.
Access Requirements:
In order to attain the NCert qualification you must be able to prove your eligibility by either uploading your veterinary nursing qualification certificate or RCVS/VCI number to Improve once you have booked onto your programme of study.
You can attend the modules if you are a student, or not in practice and enrolled with the RCVS; however, you will not be able to attain the NCert qualification.
Course timings:
08.45 Registration
09.00 Course Starts
17.30 Course Finishes
Venue: Swindon
Start date: 10 October 2022
Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition
24 May 2023
What do our customers think of our training?
BSc(Hons) RVN CertEd
Anatomy, nutrition and immunity
To be confirmed | SwindonAnatomy, 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
Kirsty Gwynne
RVN Cert Ed C-SQP V1
Kirsty has been a veterinary nurse in practice since 1996 and has worked in mixed practice as well as dedicated small animal practice as Head Nurse and assessor. After being in practice for eight years Kirsty moved into education where she taught on BSc level Veterinary Nursing and Animal Science, FE Veterinary Nursing, Animal Science and Equine programmes. In 2009 Kirsty became a director of Abbeydale Vetlink Veterinary Training Ltd. Kirsty still works in small animal practice and a dedicated emergency clinic part time. Kirsty has a Graduate Diploma in Professional Clinical Veterinary Nursing and is an RCVS examiner and Senior examiner for Central Qualifications.
×Basic nutrition and life-stage feeding of cats and dogs
To be confirmed | SwindonBasic 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
Clare Spencer
BVetMed MRCVS
Clare Spencer graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the RVC in 1984. She received a Distinction in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition and these two subjects have been of special interest to her during her extensive career. She practised as a veterinary surgeon in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and France, working as a small animal locum in Gloucestershire until just a few months ago. She became Veterinary Affairs Manager for a premium pet food manufacturer, where she worked between 1997 and 2018, initially as a member of staff and subsequently as an independent consultant. This role was primarily technical and educational. It entailed staff training in small animal nutrition and resulted in invitations as a guest lecturer at all the key veterinary congresses and veterinary schools and several of the nurse training colleges. Clare obtained her PTLLS qualification and became a tutor and subsequently an examiner for the City and Guild Small Animal Nutrition course and examination. Clare has published articles in a wide range of journals on the topics of nutrition, husbandry and communications. She is especially interested in medicine, nutrition, client care and treating pets as part of the family. Wherever she works, she knows she can’t do her job properly without the support of a good nursing team and likes to share her knowledge and expertise.
×Small mammal nutrition
To be confirmed | SwindonSmall 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)
Richard A. Saunders
BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian) European Specialist in Zoological Medicine (ZHM)
Richard Saunders is a Staff Veterinarian at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Clinical Teacher at the University of Bristol. Additionally, he sees referral exotic pets at Highcroft veterinary Referrals, Bristol, and is the veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. He qualified in 1994, obtaining his DZooMed (Mammalian) in 2010. He has authored numerous articles on rabbits, rodents and other wild and exotic species, and has contributed to a number of textbooks, including co-authoring "Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine", as well as several chapters for the new editions of the BSAVA Rabbit Manuals, and has co-authored "Rabbit behaviour and Welfare".
×Balanced nutrition for birds and reptiles
To be confirmed | SwindonBalanced 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.
Richard A. Saunders
BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian) European Specialist in Zoological Medicine (ZHM)
Richard Saunders is a Staff Veterinarian at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Clinical Teacher at the University of Bristol. Additionally, he sees referral exotic pets at Highcroft veterinary Referrals, Bristol, and is the veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. He qualified in 1994, obtaining his DZooMed (Mammalian) in 2010. He has authored numerous articles on rabbits, rodents and other wild and exotic species, and has contributed to a number of textbooks, including co-authoring "Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine", as well as several chapters for the new editions of the BSAVA Rabbit Manuals, and has co-authored "Rabbit behaviour and Welfare".
×Fashionable diets and impact of behaviour
To be confirmed | SwindonFashionable 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
Clare Spencer
BVetMed MRCVS
Clare Spencer graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the RVC in 1984. She received a Distinction in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition and these two subjects have been of special interest to her during her extensive career. She practised as a veterinary surgeon in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and France, working as a small animal locum in Gloucestershire until just a few months ago. She became Veterinary Affairs Manager for a premium pet food manufacturer, where she worked between 1997 and 2018, initially as a member of staff and subsequently as an independent consultant. This role was primarily technical and educational. It entailed staff training in small animal nutrition and resulted in invitations as a guest lecturer at all the key veterinary congresses and veterinary schools and several of the nurse training colleges. Clare obtained her PTLLS qualification and became a tutor and subsequently an examiner for the City and Guild Small Animal Nutrition course and examination. Clare has published articles in a wide range of journals on the topics of nutrition, husbandry and communications. She is especially interested in medicine, nutrition, client care and treating pets as part of the family. Wherever she works, she knows she can’t do her job properly without the support of a good nursing team and likes to share her knowledge and expertise.
×Labelling and nutritional clinics
To be confirmed | SwindonLabeling 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:
-
Anorexia, critical illness, and convalescence
-
Neoplasia
-
Skeletal
-
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
Clare Spencer
BVetMed MRCVS
Clare Spencer graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the RVC in 1984. She received a Distinction in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition and these two subjects have been of special interest to her during her extensive career. She practised as a veterinary surgeon in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and France, working as a small animal locum in Gloucestershire until just a few months ago. She became Veterinary Affairs Manager for a premium pet food manufacturer, where she worked between 1997 and 2018, initially as a member of staff and subsequently as an independent consultant. This role was primarily technical and educational. It entailed staff training in small animal nutrition and resulted in invitations as a guest lecturer at all the key veterinary congresses and veterinary schools and several of the nurse training colleges. Clare obtained her PTLLS qualification and became a tutor and subsequently an examiner for the City and Guild Small Animal Nutrition course and examination. Clare has published articles in a wide range of journals on the topics of nutrition, husbandry and communications. She is especially interested in medicine, nutrition, client care and treating pets as part of the family. Wherever she works, she knows she can’t do her job properly without the support of a good nursing team and likes to share her knowledge and expertise.
×Nutritional support for gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders
To be confirmed | SwindonGastrointestinal 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
Clare Spencer
BVetMed MRCVS
Clare Spencer graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the RVC in 1984. She received a Distinction in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition and these two subjects have been of special interest to her during her extensive career. She practised as a veterinary surgeon in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and France, working as a small animal locum in Gloucestershire until just a few months ago. She became Veterinary Affairs Manager for a premium pet food manufacturer, where she worked between 1997 and 2018, initially as a member of staff and subsequently as an independent consultant. This role was primarily technical and educational. It entailed staff training in small animal nutrition and resulted in invitations as a guest lecturer at all the key veterinary congresses and veterinary schools and several of the nurse training colleges. Clare obtained her PTLLS qualification and became a tutor and subsequently an examiner for the City and Guild Small Animal Nutrition course and examination. Clare has published articles in a wide range of journals on the topics of nutrition, husbandry and communications. She is especially interested in medicine, nutrition, client care and treating pets as part of the family. Wherever she works, she knows she can’t do her job properly without the support of a good nursing team and likes to share her knowledge and expertise.
×Nutritional support of organ failure, the lower urinary tract and orthopaedic disorders
To be confirmed | SwindonNutritional 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:
-
Organ failure (liver, kidney, heart, brain)
-
Urolithiasis
-
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
Clare Spencer
BVetMed MRCVS
Clare Spencer graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the RVC in 1984. She received a Distinction in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition and these two subjects have been of special interest to her during her extensive career. She practised as a veterinary surgeon in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and France, working as a small animal locum in Gloucestershire until just a few months ago. She became Veterinary Affairs Manager for a premium pet food manufacturer, where she worked between 1997 and 2018, initially as a member of staff and subsequently as an independent consultant. This role was primarily technical and educational. It entailed staff training in small animal nutrition and resulted in invitations as a guest lecturer at all the key veterinary congresses and veterinary schools and several of the nurse training colleges. Clare obtained her PTLLS qualification and became a tutor and subsequently an examiner for the City and Guild Small Animal Nutrition course and examination. Clare has published articles in a wide range of journals on the topics of nutrition, husbandry and communications. She is especially interested in medicine, nutrition, client care and treating pets as part of the family. Wherever she works, she knows she can’t do her job properly without the support of a good nursing team and likes to share her knowledge and expertise.
×Venue: Swindon
Start date: 10 October 2022
Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition
24 May 2023
Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition Pricing
Payments | Initial Payment |
Total Payable |
|
---|---|---|---|
Payment Options | All prices exclude VAT | ||
NCert Programme | £2,495.00 | £0.00 | £2,495.00 |
NCert Programme (Deposit + Direct debit in 12 Monthly payments) | £194.67 | £299.00 | £2,635.04 |
NCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £2,196.00 | £299.00 | £2,495.00 |
All NCert programme prices are based on you completing the programme and include ISVPS registration and examination fees. |
To book any option please click the "Book Now" button and select your preferences in your shopping cart.
Book Full Programme
Speak to us
- call us on 01793 759159
- email us at enquiries@improveinternational.com
Payment Terms & Conditions
- Payments can be made by BACS, credit card or Direct Debit.
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- In order to confirm your place, we must receive payment in full or the relevant initial payment.
- In addition, if paying by direct debit, we must receive the completed mandate prior to course commencement.
- Paired module pricing does not include the exam fees payable to ISVPS.
- Full details regarding the course cancellation procedure can be found here: https://www.improveinternational.com/uk/terms-and-conditions/
- We will charge VAT by default if you are part of an EU country outside of the UK. However, if you can supply a valid intra-community VAT number the invoice will be exempt from VAT.
Venue: Swindon
Start date: 10 October 2022
Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition
24 May 2023
What do our customers think of our training?
BSc(Hons) RVN CertEd
Venue: Swindon
Start date: 10 October 2022
Nurses Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition
24 May 2023
What do our customers think of our training?
BSc(Hons) RVN CertEd