Graded Project: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging
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; these bonds enhance the life and health of both human and animal. As healthcare professionals, veterinary technicians provide a special role in promoting health and assisting end-of-life phases of animals.
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 helping others to understand the human-animal bond.
Instructions
This research project contains four parts on which you’ll be graded (three topics and paper composition/format). You’ll research and write regarding 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
The recommended length is one to three pages. The questions should be thoroughly researched and answered, making sure to avoid straying too far from the stated focus. Use publication search engines such as PubMed to obtain original research papers if you plan to use these to address any of the questions. Consult reliable and up-to-date reference materials as needed and appropriate.
Part 1: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition and Feeding in Large Animal Production
This first part of the research project involves discussion of factors to consider and procedures for providing assisted nutrition for hospitalized patients.
A 12-year-old-dog who already has advancing renal failure was recently hit by a car and hospitalized. The dog has a jaw fracture and can’t eat. For three days prior to the accident, the dog had decreased appetite and wouldn’t eat.
1 What’s the best choice of assisted feeding for this dog, and what factors would you consider when deciding the approach to feeding?
2 Identify the most common mechanical complications associated with the assisted feeding method chosen, and describe the measures taken to prevent and address these complications.
3 Discuss common metabolic complications of the assisted feeding method chosen and the factors that contribute to these complications.
4 What discharge instructions would you provide the client, including 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.
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 are important feeding measures 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 part of the research project, you’ll discuss camelid reproduction.
1 How does ovulation proceed in alpacas, and what’s the typical frequency of dominant follicle appearance?
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 Indicate 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
Part 3 of the research project is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge of assisting clients and their pets through the hospice care process.
1 A client has been with her pet cat since it was born 22 years ago. Being very attached to the cat, she wants to provide supportive care for as long as possible. What feeding and medical recommendations would you give the client to help her care for her 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 she 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
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: VET225: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging Project
b Your name
c Your student number
d The date the project is submitted
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 this 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 Please be sure to consult the Penn Foster library. It contains many great resources for trusted veterinary publications as well as information on using APA format for citing references.
Grading Criteria
All of these criteria are evaluated according to the following skill levels:
Advanced.  If the essay is scored in this category, the writing demonstrates a command of the skill.
Proficient.  If the essay is scored in this category, the writing shows knowledge and application of the skill but lacks cohesion and clarity.
Developing.  If the essay is scored in this category, the writing shows effort and competence but indicates a lack of complete understanding or command in this area.
Emerging.  If the essay is scored in this category, the writing lacks a required element or is below average for a college-level paper.
Not developed.  If the essay is scored in this category, the writing either doesn’t include or severely lacks a required element. 
The following rubric will be used to grade your project:
NUTRITION GRADING RUBRIC
Advanced—Score of 100%
The paper effectively addresses the purpose of the assignment and the requirements of the prompt.
• Student thoroughly and accurately answers or discusses all topics or questions
• Part 1: Provides logical choice of assisted feeding method and excellent detail regarding mechanical and metabolic complications of the feeding method
• Demonstrates excellent understanding of sheep nutrition during gestation and how to prevent enterotoxemia in lambs
• Part 2:  Demonstrates excellent understanding of camelid reproduction and the most common infectious diseases causing abortion in camelids
• Part 3:  Demonstrates excellent understanding of how to address home care of geriatric pets and the factors to consider when determining if/when euthanasia is appropriate
• Written:  Explanations flow logically using correct grammar and spelling.
Proficient—Score of 85%
The essay adequately addresses the purpose of the assignment and the requirements of the prompt.
• Student accurately answers or discusses most of the topics or questions
• Part 1: Provides logical choice of assisted feeding method and good detail regarding mechanical and metabolic complications of the feeding method
• Demonstrates sufficient understanding of sheep nutrition during gestation and how to prevent enterotoxemia in lambs
• Part 2: Demonstrates sufficient understanding of camelid reproduction and the most common infectious diseases causing abortion in camelids
• Part 3:  Demonstrates sufficient understanding of how to address home care of geriatric pets and the factors to consider when determining if/when euthanasia is appropriate
• Written:  Explanations flow logically, with minor errors in grammar and spelling.
Developing—Score of 70%
The essay partially addresses the purpose of the assignment and the requirements of the prompt.  
• Student accurately answers or discusses few of the topics or questions.
• Part 1: Provides an adequate but not the most ideal choice of assisted feeding method, with an average level of detail regarding complications of the assisted feeding choice
• Demonstrates below-average understanding of sheep nutrition during gestation and how to prevent enterotoxemia in lambs.
• Part 2: Demonstrates below-average understanding of camelid reproduction and the most common infectious diseases causing abortion in camelids
• Part 3: Demonstrates below-average understanding of how to address home care of geriatric pets and the factors to consider when determining if/when euthanasia is appropriate
• Written: Shows some disconnection in the flow of written thoughts and details as well as minor grammatical and spelling errors
Emerging—Score of 60%
The essay minimally addresses the purpose of the assignment and the requirements of the prompt.  
• Part 1: Provides limited detail when addressing the four topics/questions
• Provides limited detail when addressing the three sheep-production topics
• Part 2:  Provides limited detail when addressing the three topics
• Part 3:  Provides limited detail when addressing the four topics
• Written:  Provides disconnected thoughts, limited details in information, and numerous grammatical and spelling errors
Not Developed—50%
The essay does not address the purpose of the assignment or the requirements of the prompt. 
• Part 1: Provides little to no correct detail regarding the topics related to small animal clinical nutrition
• Provides little to no correct detail regarding the topics related to sheep production
• Part 2: Provides little to no correct detail regarding the topics related to camelid reproduction
• Part 3: Provides little to no correct detail regarding the topics related to hospice and geriatric care
• Written: Provides disconnected thoughts, a severe lack of detail, and numerous grammatical and spelling errors
Submitting Your Project
Your project must be submitted as a Word document (.docx, .doc)*. Your project will be individually graded by your instructor, and therefore it may take up to five to seven days to grade.
Be sure that each of your files contains the following information:
1 Your name
2 Your student ID number
3 The exam number (353089)
4 Your email address
To submit your graded project, follow these steps:
1 Log in to your student portal.
2 Click on Take Exam next to the lesson you’re working on.
3 Find the exam number for your project at the top of the Project Upload page.
4 Follow the instructions provided to complete your exam.
Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit to the school!