Complex care needs and clinical nutrition
The aim of the course is for the student, by science and best practice, to acquire in-depth theoretical knowledge and some practical knowledge in veterinary nursing for patients with complex care needs and clinical nutrition, with main focus on dogs and cats.
Information from the course leader
The schedule for the course “Complex care needs and clinical nutrition” will be published on Canvas for Do0146 one month prior to the course start. Below is an overview of the course structure and content.
The course Do0146, offered for the first time in Spring Term 2026, will focus on complex care needs and clinical nutrition in gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes mellitus, periodontitis, and overweight in dogs and cats. The group assignment will address safe patient care, risk assessment, and the development of an improvement plan for an identified aspect of complex care needs or clinical nutrition. The course will also address clinical chemistry related to diabetes mellitus, motivational interviewing in nursing, and communication and management of current trends in nursing and feeding practices.
During weeks 16 and 23, there will be mandatory on-campus sessions at Ultuna, SLU. Additional mandatory activities will occur in other weeks as well, but these will be conducted digitally, sometimes in groups and sometimes individually. From week 19 until the end of the course, students will work on the group-based improvement projects. This work will take place in small student groups, primarily in digital formats. Mandatory components will occur within the group work.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
DO0146 Complex care needs and clinical nutrition, 15.0 Credits
Komplexa vårdbehov och klinisk nutritionSubjects
Veterinary NursingEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory components | 7.5 | 0101 |
| Project | 7.5 | 0102 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
180 credits and90 credits veterinary nursing or 90 credits veterinary medicine and
English 6
Objectives
The aim of the course is for the student, by science and best practice, to acquire in-depth theoretical knowledge and some practical knowledge in veterinary nursing for patients with complex care needs and clinical nutrition, with main focus on dogs and cats.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
- propose and motivate appropriate nursing for patients with complex care needs related to medical conditions/nutritional physiology,
- critically evaluate nursing and feeding routines within veterinary health care and propose and motivate changes from patient- to organizational level as a basis for development work,
- describe and conduct well-grounded reasoning regarding the veterinary nurse's role and responsibilities in quality work and research regarding activities within the veterinary health care sector,
- independently perform certain calculations and assessments in clinical nutrition,
- apply effective communication with the aim of promoting animal health and welfare,
- critically review and evaluate current trends within veterinary nursing/feeding.
Content
Subject-related content
The course contains the two parts "veterinary nursing for patients with complex care needs" and "clinical nutrition", partially integrated and separately. Veterinary nursing of patients with complex care needs means that knowledge of medical conditions, nutritional physiology and nutrition are interwoven. In addition, cooperation, communication and the condition of the animal and the ability of the animal owner, individualized nursing and nursing routines for different patient groups are taken into account.
The course includes principles for systematic risk identification, documentation and follow-up in the nursing of patients with complex care needs. The student trains to work independently in areas such as weight problems, stress reduction and implementation of nursing plans. This also includes quality work and research within veterinary health care.
The student trains to independently perform certain calculations and assessments in clinical nutrition, for example energy calculations and assessments of fat and muscle mass. The student practices different aspects of effective communication, with the aim of promoting animal health and welfare. Independently searching for, critically reviewing and evaluating, as well as balanced use of scientific information are important parts of the course and are practiced both orally and in writing. The course includes applying a sustainability perspective and making ethical decisions related to nursing/feeding of patients with complex care needs.
Teaching formats
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used lectures, seminars, exercises and project work
*The course focuses on the following generic competencies
*
Information competence, critical thinking, problem solving, scientific methods, oral and written communication as well as ability to work autonomously.
The following components are compulsory
Project work, some seminars and some exercises.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed written project work, approved oral presentation and opposition. Approved participation in compulsory components.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Clinical Sciences