Nutrition for Prevention and Longevity

n the document of the Day one competences "(DOCs), drawn up by the European Coordinating Committee on Veterinary Training, there is a list of knowledge and skills that the new graduate must possess. The electronic logbook lists the practical skills that the student must acquire to satisfy what is reported in the DOCs document. The hospital rotation is aimed at making the student acquire the skills and competences shown in the electronic logbook which from time to time it will be appropriate to apply on patients and case studies assigned.

Modern nutrition science and the European Union have been oriented towards a radical transformation of the concept of nutrition: foods, in addition to their nutritional and sensorial properties, also an important role on maintaining health, on psycho wellness -physical and on the prevention of some diseases. In fact, increasing evidence has been obtained on the priority role of diet and specific foods, so-called "functional foods", in improving animal welfare and preventing many morbid conditions. To ensure that pets led long and healthy lives proper nutrition and lifestyle play a pivotal role. The proportion of senior dogs and cats in the total population is increasing. There is a need to take their specific dietary requirements into account and to develop specific diets for senior having typical diseases associated with old age. Balanced, complete, lifestage appropriate diets for dogs and cats; Functional nutrition; Bioactive ingredients; Relationship between nutritional status and risk of pathology. Strategies for reducing the lifespan gap (lifespan) and healthy life span (healthspan); Prevention of chronic diseases.

The course will focus on canine and feline inherited diseases with particular attention to molecular genetic diagnostic procedures used in international laboratories. The prevention and eradication of hereditary pathologies through breeding plans management will be studied. The aim of the genetic course section is to supply an effective tool in genetic study for dogs and cats. The main genetic principles will be taught in the course to be applied in dog and cat breeding programs and selection choices.

The first part of the course will consider the two horse feeding systems suggested by INRA and NRC. The second part of the course will focus on the main horse nutrition-related pathologies.
The course will also consider the foal, the gestating mare, the adult and the old horse nutrition, together with the diet quality and the mean retention time with special regard to the increase of the health status of the animal and the prevention of nutritional-related pathologies in the last part of the horse life.

The general aim of this course is to contribute to the formulation of nutritionally balanced diets for different stages of the life of dog and cat, while complying with relevant EU legislation on dog and cat nutrition. To achieve this objective, up-to-date scientific knowledge on cat and dog nutrition, minimum and maximum nutrient levels, guidance for the assessment of the nutritional value of pet foods, practical nutrient recommendations for management of nutrition will be discussed. Nutrient requirements, vary considerably even between animals kept under the same conditions, will be evaluated in relation to the age, breed, body size, body condition, insulation characteristics of skin and hair coat, temperament, health status or activity and environmental factors. Particular attention will be posed on the education on understanding pet food labels and on the guidelines for homemade diets to promote animal care.