Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging

Graded Project: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and

Aging

Your project must be submitted as a Word document (.docx or .doc file format). Your instructor will grade your project

individually, and it may take up to seven days to grade.

Be sure that your file includes the following information:

Your name

Your student ID number

The title: VET230: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging Research Project

Your email address

Follow these steps to submit your graded project:

Select the Upload button on the Submission page.

Choose the file and select Open. The file should appear in the Uploaded Files in the Submission section of the

page.

Once your file is uploaded, select Submit.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit.

Use the following steps if your file is too large to upload and you’re using Windows:

Select all the files you want to submit.

Right-click on one of them.

Select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

Name the new folder.

Return to your course and upload the zipped folder.

Use the following steps if you’re using a Mac:

In a Finder window or on the desktop, Command-click to select the files.

Right-click or choose Compress from the File menu.

If you compress multiple items at once, the compressed file is named Archive.zip.

Return to the assignment in your course and upload the zipped folder.

Overview

Veterinary medical practice is multifaceted, exciting, and challenging. Just as there are marked differences in medical

treatment approaches across species, nutritional and other daily care concepts can vary greatly among different types of

animals, even between dogs and cats. The life stages within a species correspond to specific, differing feeding as well as

other care requirements. Also fascinating is the special bond between humans and animals, which enhances the life and

health of both.

As healthcare professionals, veterinary technicians play a special role in promoting health and supporting animals during

end-of-life phases. The purpose of this research project is for you to strengthen your skill set related to animal nutrition,

reproductive assistance, and end-of-life stage support and to know how to best help clients with pet loss by understanding

and communicating the human-animal bond.

Listen

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Instructions

This research project includes four parts on which you’ll be graded (three topics and paper composition/format).

You’ll research and write about each of the following areas:

1. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition and Feeding in Large Animal Production

2. Theriogenology

3. Hospice Care and the Human-Animal Bond

There’s no required minimum or maximum page length, but the recommended length is two to three pages per topic.

Although you’ll be discussing three topics, be sure to format your assignment as one complete essay with introductory and

concluding paragraphs separating each topic.

Read each question carefully, and be sure to thoroughly research each topic. Ensure to answer all parts of each topic

comprehensively. Use reliable resources when researching the topics. Avoid editable sources such as Wikipedia. Sites like

PubMed provide original research papers that may be beneficial.

Part 1: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition and Feeding in Large Animal

Production

In this section of the research project, discuss the factors to consider and the procedures involved in providing assisted

nutrition for hospitalized patients.

A 12-year-old dog with advanced renal failure was recently hit by a car and hospitalized. The dog has a jaw fracture and can’t

eat. For three days before the accident, the dog showed a decreased appetite and wouldn’t eat.

Now, consider the following questions:

1. What are the assisted feeding method options available for this dog? What factors would you consider for each

when deciding on the feeding approach? Based on these factors, which is the best choice for this dog?

2. Identify the most common mechanical complications associated with the assisted feeding method, and describe

the measures taken to prevent and address these complications.

3. Discuss common metabolic complications of the assisted feeding method and the factors that contribute to these

complications.

4. What discharge instructions would you give the client, including guidance on how to continue with the assisted

feeding at home?

Now, you’ll investigate the feeding requirements for a sheep wool production business.

A client who started a Merino sheep farm seeks veterinary guidance regarding care and feeding for optimal wool

production.

Consider the following questions:

1. What amino acid is essential for wool production, and what feed components/types are good sources of this amino

acid?

2. Breeding of ewes will produce new stocks of sheep used for wool. What feeding measures are important to ensure

healthy gestation? Indicate the special feeding needs during the last trimester.

3. What makes lambs susceptible to enterotoxemia, and how can this be prevented nutritionally and medically?

Part 2: Theriogenology

In this section of the research project, you’ll discuss camelid reproduction.

Consider the following questions:

1. How does ovulation proceed in alpacas, and what’s the typical frequency of dominant follicle appearance?

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2. What physiologic and anatomic qualities are examined during a breeding soundness exam for a male llama? What

parameters are evaluated for semen quality?

3. Identify three infectious diseases that can cause abortion in llamas and alpacas, and investigate preventive

measures that can help reduce the risk of infectious, disease-related pregnancy losses in camelids.

Part 3: Hospice Care and the Human-Animal Bond

This section of the research project allows you to apply your knowledge of assisting clients and their pets through the

hospice care process.

Consider the following questions:

1. A client has been with their pet cat since it was born 22 years ago. Being very attached to the cat, the client wants to

provide supportive care for as long as possible. What feeding and medical recommendations would you give the

client to help care for their cat, who, in addition to being geriatric, is diabetic?

2. The cat has limited mobility but doesn’t show signs of much pain. How would you instruct the client on how to

prevent decubital sores in the cat?

3. Given its limited mobility, the cat spends a considerable amount of time in recumbency and often urinates in that

position. What advice and instructions would you provide the caregiver regarding complications associated with

the cat’s urination while in recumbency?

4. The cat’s caregiver asked when they should consider euthanasia. What criteria regarding quality of life would you

evaluate to determine when euthanasia may be the best option for the cat?

Project Specifications

To complete your graded project, follow the guidelines given here:

1. The research paper must be typewritten using a word processing program such as MS Word or equivalent. Use 12-

point Times New Roman font and double spacing.

2. The title page should contain the following information:

a. Title: VET230: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging Project

b. Your name

c. Your student number

d. The date of submission

3. The paper should be easy to read, with correct spelling, grammar, and sentence/paragraph structure.

4. The research paper should include at least two references for each part of the project. You can use your Penn Foster

study guide and the course textbook for assistance, but you’ll need to have at least one other outside reference. The

information used must be supported by trusted veterinary medical publications and websites. (Avoid using

Wikipedia.)

5. All references should be included on a reference page at the end of the project in MLA or APA format. Also, each

reference must have a corresponding in-text citation in MLA or APA format.

6. Please be sure to go to the Penn Foster library. It contains many great resources for trusted veterinary publications

and information on using MLA and APA format for citing references.

7. Your project should be submitted as one comprehensive essay with introductory and concluding paragraphs

between each section. No bullet points or numbered lists should be used. Please submit your project as one file.

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