VSC333 Applied Veterinary Nutrition and Production (8)

In the veterinary profession the role of nutrition in health is often overlooked. This subject will examine the relationship between animal nutrition, production and health for a range of animals commonly seen in veterinary practice. Applied ruminant nutrition is further developed, with the review and analysis of production systems, rations and veterinary management of major nutritional disorders. The nutritional requirements of companion animal species, performance animals and animals of intensive production are also investigated, including discussion of nutritional deficiencies, imbalances, therapeutics and potential toxicities that may occur in these species. Feed contaminants including potentially toxic plants, plant secondary metabolites, mycotoxins and other environmental contaminants are investigated in this subject.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2021.

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 

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

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

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to formulate rations for farmed, companion and performance animals for various physiological states based on production goals, 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, companion and performance animals and comment on the suitability for production and health;
  • be able to recognise and describe the interactions between animal nutrition, production, management, housing, environment and health;
  • be able to describe the basis of therapeutic nutrition for common disorders of farmed, companion and performance animal species;
  • be able to identify plants and their associated toxic agents and/or anti-nutritional factors that commonly cause poisoning or have adverse effects on farmed and companion animals;
  • be able to describe the mode of action of plant toxins and/or anti-nutritional factors 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; and
  • be able to evaluate scientific literature, analyse data by using common statistical methods and integrate them with valid conclusions into a scientific report.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Toxicology: plant toxins and anti-nutritional factors and other potential feed and water contaminants and toxicants;
  • Ruminant nutrition: interactions between animal nutrition, production, management, housing, environment and health; including applied feedlot, dairy, beef and sheep nutrition, especially metabolic disorders including ketosis, pregnancy toxaemia, acidosis, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia;
  • Poultry nutrition: nutrient requirements of layers and broilers for production; and management of nutrition related health disorders;
  • Pig nutrition: nutrient requirements for production and nutrition-related health disorders;
  • Equine nutrition: nutrient requirements of horses including life-stage nutrition; clinical nutrition related health disorders and their nutritional management; and
  • Companion animal nutrition: nutrient requirements of cats and dogs including life-stage nutrition; and clinical nutrition of common disorders.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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