ACVN Veterinary Nutrition study plan

Define and differentiate the components of a nutritional assessment (history, physical exam, body condition score, muscle condition score, lab data) and state what each contributes

Calculate resting energy requirement and maintenance energy requirement for at least 5 species/size/age scenarios and compare the results

List essential nutrients by species (dogs, cats, and one exotic species) and identify which are conditionally essential in disease

Explain how life stage (growth, adult, senior, gestation/lactation) alters nutrient requirements in dogs and cats

Interpret a complete pet food label (guaranteed analysis, AAFCO statement, ingredient split) and convert guaranteed analysis to dry matter basis

Compare energy density and nutrient adequacy of a home-cooked ration against a commercial diet using a nutrient profile reference

Identify indications, contraindications, and routes for enteral feeding (nasoesophageal, esophageal, gastric, jejunal)

Calculate the volume and rate of a tube-fed liquid diet to meet a target caloric goal

Select an appropriate feeding tube type for 4 clinical vignettes and justify the choice

Design a refeeding plan for a patient at risk of refeeding syndrome, including electrolyte monitoring

Outline the components of parenteral nutrition (amino acids, lipids, dextrose) and calculate a partial vs total PN plan for one patient

List complications of enteral and parenteral nutrition and the monitoring parameters used to detect them

Map dietary strategies (highly digestible, low-fat, high-fiber, hydrolyzed, novel protein, low-residue) to specific GI conditions

Explain the rationale for hydrolyzed and novel-protein diets in adverse food reactions and distinguish them from each other

Design a fiber-modified plan for a patient with large bowel diarrhea versus one with small bowel diarrhea

Describe nutritional management priorities for pancreatitis, including fat restriction rationale and when to reintroduce food

Explain the role of weight management and protein/fiber modification in feline diabetes mellitus

Describe dietary management of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and hyperadrenocorticism in the relevant species

Outline nutritional strategies for urolithiasis prevention by stone type (struvite, calcium oxalate, urate)

Differentiate the nutritional approach to obesity-related metabolic disease from primary endocrine disease

Compare protein, phosphorus, and potassium modification strategies across IRIS stages of chronic kidney disease

Explain the rationale for sodium restriction and taurine/carnitine considerations in cardiac disease

Describe protein, copper, and carbohydrate considerations in hepatic disease and portosystemic shunts

Identify when a renal, cardiac, or hepatic diet is contraindicated or must be modified for comorbidities

Perform body condition scoring and muscle condition scoring and translate them into a target weight and caloric plan

Calculate a safe weight-loss rate and design a weight-loss feeding plan including treat allowance and exercise

Summarize the AAFCO substantiation pathways and the meaning of a 'complete and balanced' claim

Identify common pet food toxicants and hazards (e.g., mycotoxins, melamine, vitamin D excess, xylitol, onion/garlic) and their clinical signs

Integrate all domains by working through 20 mixed-topic case vignettes under timed conditions

Review and correct every missed item by tracing it to the underlying nutrient principle

Re-derive from memory the key formulas (RER, MER, dry matter conversion, weight-loss calories, PN calculations)

Self-assess weak domains and build a targeted final-review list