Companion Animal and Equine Breeding

A.Y. 2024/2025
7
Max ECTS
80
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/18 AGR/19
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on companion animals and equine management, nutrition and applied veterinary clinical nutrition in order to ensure animal welfare and health. Provide the basics of animal nutrition by addressing aspects related to metabolism and the use of nutrients, chemical characteristics of feedstuffs.
Expected learning outcomes
1) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student must demonstrate that he/she is able to apply the knowledge acquired through the formulation of rations both for pets in the different physiological phases and during the most frequent diseases. The students must be able to recognize and evaluate the feed commonly used in diets formulation.
2) Autonomy o judgment: The student must be able to deal critically and proactively with the study of the subject, analyzing the material provided by the teacher, the recommended texts and the official web sites. The practical-practical lessons will contribute specifically to develop in the student critical and judgmental skills on breeding problems, on the relationships between different aspects of animal management, on the diets formulated in relation to the different physiological phases.
3) Communication skills: During the frontal and practical lessons, the student must be able to present the acquired knowledge, using appropriate terminology, updated and in harmony with the other disciplines.
4)Communication: During the frontal and practical lessons, the student must be able to present the acquired knowledge, using appropriate terminology, updated and in harmony with the other disciplines.
5) Life long learning skills: At the end of the course, which integrates theoretical and practical training, students will acquire skills to tackle critically and autonomously the management of pets, even in rapidly changing contexts other than those presented during the course
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
Only students having already passed the compulsory preparatory exams of Physiology and Ethology of Domestic Animals and Physiology and Endocrinology of Domestic Animals are admitted to the written test.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is a written test about the topics included in the teaching programs of all modules. It lasts 90 minutes and it takes place online via Moodle platform.
The written test includes three sections (one section/module); each section includes 11 questions divided in 10 multiple-choice questions and 1 open question; the multiple-choice questions (5 answers) consider one correct answer. The exam is passed if all the sections are passed (at least 18 points). If one module (only one) is not passed, the student can seat for it during the following exam session.
Evaluation criteria:
- each correct answer for the multiple choice questions corresponds to 2.5 points
- as regards the evaluation of open answers, the following elements of judgment are adopted:
· 5 points: excellent and in-depth knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and perfect use of the terminology. Excellent order and synthesis.
· 3-4,5 points: good knowledge of the topics. Clarity of presentation and correct use of the terminology. Good order and synthesis.
· 2-2,5 points: superficial knowledge of the topics. Partial clarity and sometimes imprecise use of the terminology. Acceptable order and synthesis.
· 0-1,5 points: the answer is severely lacking or missing entirely. Completely insufficient knowledge of the topics. Disordered exposition, devoid of scientific logic and expressed with an incorrect terminology. Inadequate order and synthesis.
The final mark (expressed in thirtieths) corresponds to the weighed average of the three section marks and it is published on ONLINE SIFA service of the University. Candidates who obtain at least 18 points pass the exam.
Exams are in number of 8 in the Academic year and they are held in the months of: January, February, April, June, July, September, October and December according to the frequency established by the teaching college. There are no additional calls for out-of-course. To take the exam it is necessary that the student must register through the ONLINE SIFA.
Companion animal husbandry (dog, cat and horse)
Course syllabus
The course consists of 16 h of practical training in small groups
Training
Management of the dog (2 hours in the classroom, 2 hours on farm)
Management of the cat (2 hours in the classroom, 2 hours on farm)
Management of the horse (4 hours in the classroom, 4 hours on farm)
Teaching methods
Team work in the classroom
Teamwork on farm
The practical lessons will take place partly in the classroom, partly in dog/cat shelters and horse farms. The students, divided into groups, will carry out evaluations of the management of the animals of the farm visited. The work will be carried out by the students individually or in groups under the direct guidance of the teacher.
Teaching Resources
- European guidelines "Guide to good animal welfare practice for the keeping, care, training and use of horses"
- Handouts, lecture notes and copies of relevant articles are published on-line in ARIEL
Companion animal nutrition and dietetics
Course syllabus
The course consists of 24 h of lectures and 16 h of practical training
Lectures
· Basic principles of nutrition and feeding of companion animals. Nutritional differences between dog and cat (1 hour)
· Canine energy (estimation of Resting Energy Requirement and Daily Energy Requirement) and nutrient requirements in maintenance and in other life stages (reproduction, growing, senior) (4 hour)
· Nutritional management in the prevention of orthopedic diseases (1 hour)
· Feeding working dos (1 hour)
· Energy and nutrient requirements of cat in maintenance, reproduction, growing, senior (3 hours)
· Feed manufacturing and Petfood Technology: characteristics (dry, cold pressed, wet, liquid), processing, new tendencies in production (BARF; vegetarian, vegan diets), communication (2 hours)
· Applied veterinary clinical nutrition: dietary management in case of most common diseases (obesity, diabetes, cardiac, gastrointestinal, kidney and urinary diseases, neoplasia, enteral and parenteral nutrition) (4 hours)
· Feed and feeding horse nutrition (2 hours)
· Life cycle nutrition considerations: feeding the adult, the mare, the foal, the stallion and the senior, feeding for performance (2 hours)
· Ration formulation and evaluation (NRC, INRA) (2 hours)
· Dietary intervention in case of the most common horse diseases (ulcers and colic, laminitis, metabolic and growth disorders) (2 hours)

Practical training
· Nutritional assessment and calculation of basal energy requirement and daily energy and nutrients requirements in dog and cat (2 hours)
· Evaluation of commercial pet food (2 hours)
· Commercial, homemade diets, mixed diet: daily formulation (2 hours)
· Feed evaluation (1 hours)
· Commercial and home-prepared diets for dogs and cats (2 hours)
· Horse nutritional assessment and estimation of energy requirements (2 hours)
· Horse feed and feeding: formulation (5 hours)
Teaching methods
The lessons are held in the classroom with the aid of slide presentation. Students are invited to actively participate in the lessons, based on the knowledge acquired in the preparatory subjects
The practical training takes place in the classroom, computer room. and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The students, divided into groups, evaluate the commercial diet adequacy and formulate homemade diet and commercial diet feeding plan for dogs and cats in the different physiological phases under the supervision of the teacher. They also develop diets for horses. During the exercises, students are required to develop diets independently.
At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the students assess the nutritional condition of dogs, cats and horses.


Laboratories take place in Feed Laboratory or classroom: a number of feed materials, forages and feed compound are available to be evaluated and recognized.
Teaching Resources
Nutrizione e Alimentazione del Cane del Gatto. Biagi G, Chifalo B, Cutrignelli M, De Angelis A, Fusi E, Mainieri G, Prola L, Ricci R, Sandri M. 2022 - Edagricole Bologna
Linee Guida Nutrizionali Fediaf Per Alimenti Completi e Complementari Per Cani e Gatti - Fediaf dicembre 2021
Manuale di Buone Pratiche per la Produzione di Pet Food Sicuro - Fediaf Febbraio 2018
Frape D. 2010 - Equine Nutrition and Feeding - Wiley-Blackwell, 4th Edition.
Handouts, lecture notes and copies of relevant articles will be published on-line in ARIEL
Principles of animal nutrition
Course syllabus
The course consists of 8 h of lectures and 16 h training.
Lectures
- Energy nutrition 1. Carbohydrates: Classification, Function, Analysis, Sources (2 hours)
- Energy nutrition 2. Lipid: Classification, Function, Analysis, Sources (1 hour)
- Protein nutrition. Sources, Analysis, Protein quality, Supplementary effects (2 hours)
- Additives in Animal Nutrition according to European Legislation (2 hours)
- Energy utilization. Partitioning, Energy value of different feed, Methods of evaluation (1 hour)
Training
- Feed evaluation and recognition.
- Methods of feed analysis
- Balancing rations. Calculating a balanced ration - general
Teaching methods
The lessons are held in the classroom with the aid of slides. Students are invited to actively participate in the lessons, based on the knowledge acquired in the preparatory subjects.
Laboratories take place in Feed Laboratory or classroom: a number of feed materials, forages and feed compound are available to be evaluated and recognized.
Teaching Resources
SUGGESTED TEXTBOOKS
McDonald P., Edwards R.A., Greenhalgh J.F.D., Morgan C.A., Sinclair L.A., Wilkinson R.G. 2011 - Animal Nutrition - Benjamin Cummings, 7th Edition.
Handouts, lecture notes and copies of relevant articles will be published on-line in ARIEL
Companion animal husbandry (dog, cat and horse)
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 1
Practicals: 16 hours
Shifts:
1 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Minero Michela
2 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Minero Michela
3 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Dalla Costa Emanuela
4 truno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Dalla Costa Emanuela
Turno unico per tutti gli stuenti
Professor: Minero Michela
Companion animal nutrition and dietetics
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Shifts:
1 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Bontempo Valentino
2 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Bontempo Valentino
3 turno per un gruppo di studenti
Professor: Bontempo Valentino
Turno
Professor: Fusi Eleonora
Turno unico per tutti gli studenti
Professor: Bontempo Valentino
Principles of animal nutrition
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 2
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Shifts:
Professor: Pinotti Luciano
Turno
Professor: Bontempo Valentino
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 9-13
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
Reception:
Friday, 9am - 10 am
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, via dell'Università 6, Lodi