VSC332 Applied Animal Nutrition (8)

In this subject the study of ruminant nutrition is extended, particularly applied nutrition, with the review and analysis of rations and the management of major nutritional disorders.  The nutritional requirements of  companion animal species (dogs, cats, horses, camelids), performance animals (horses, working/sport dogs) and animals of intensive production (pigs, poultry) are investigated as well as discussion of nutritional deficiencies, imbalances and potential toxicities that may occur in these species. The relationships between animal nutrition, health, and production are examined.  Feed contaminants including potentially toxic plants, plant secondary metabolities, mycotoxins and other environmental contaminants are also investigated.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online
Wangaratta

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC332. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Animal Science
  • Bachelor of Animal Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
Assumed Knowledge

Students are assumed to have prior knowlege of biochemistry, animal physiology and general animal nutrition.

Subject Relationships

VSC432 Paired Subject

Incompatible Subjects

VSC432

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to formulate rations for farmed and companion animals for various physiological states based on the nutrient requirements of the species and the nutrient content of potential feed ingredients;
  • be able to analyse rations and commercial foods fed to farmed and companion animals and comment on the suitability of the ration/food;
  • be able to recognise and describe the interactions between animal nutrition, health and production;
  • be able to provide advice to clients on the nutritional requirements of companion animal species, including animals with special needs;
  • be able to identify plants and their associated toxic agents that commonly cause poisoning of farmed and companion animals;
  • be able to describe the mode of action of plant toxins and their direct and indirect effects on farmed and companion animals;
  • be able to list potential feed contaminants and describe their mode(s) of action when animals ingest these contaminants;
  • be able to apply and assimilate information from disparate sources to novel situations;
  • be able to critically evaluate scientific literature and complex concepts presented in a scientific format; and
  • be able to demonstrate appropriate time management and organisational skills to permit completion of assessment responsibilities.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • General nutrition: livestock and companion animal feed industries; feed contaminants and toxicants; plant toxins and antinutritional factors; and nutrient interations.
  • Ruminant nutrition: interactions between nutrition and disease; metabolic disorders including ketosis, pregnancy toxaemia, acidosis, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia; and nutrient requirements of cervids and camelids.
  • Pig nutrition: nutrient requirements; feeds and feed additives; and nutrition-related health disorders including gastroenteritis and gastric ulcers.
  • Equine nutrition: nutrient requirements of mares and foals, stallions, growing horses and performance horses; and nutrition related health disorders including laminitis, gastric ulcers, hyperlipaemia, equine metabolic syndrome and exertional rhabdomolysis.
  • Companion animal nutrition: nutritient requirements of cats and dogs including life-stage nutrition (pregnancy, lactation, and growth) and nutritional management of special needs patients.
  • Poultry nutrition: nutrient requirements of layers; nutrient requirements of broilers; and nutrition-related disorders.

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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