This course includes four hours of classroom instruction per week for 8 weeks; followed by 4 hours of workplace- based lab instruction per week for 4 weeks; then 8 hrs per week of internship experience for the remainder of the course.
Enrollment is limited to students in the Animal Health Technology Program.
1. Large animal handling and restraint
- observation of normal and abnormal behaviour
- safe and thorough physical examination and monitoring of vital signs
- evaluation of overall body condition with regard to disease states
2. Large animal husbandry
- care of the neonate and neonatal diseases
- recognition of good husbandry practices including housing, nutrition and preventative health programs
- practical aspects of hoof care and trimming and grooming techniques
3. Large animal anatomy and physiology
- use of directional, positional and common anatomical terms as they relate to various species
- review of dental anatomy and physiology to enable and practice adequate dental care
- review of major body systems, their major organs, and the general function of each organ in order to recognize significant clinical signs
4. Large animal anaesthesia and surgical assistance
- provision of adequate analgesia/anaesthesia and humane treatment to ensure patient comfort
- recognition of injection sites, administration of injectables, and venipuncture
5. Large animal preventative medicine
- aspects of individual and herd health
- AHT’s role in preventative medicine including blood testing and common laboratory techniques
- creation of vaccination protocols, and administration of vaccines, deworming and other medications
- prevention of respiratory syndromes, lameness, colic, peri-parturient diseases, and other common conditions
6. Practicum’s and field trips
- race track
- equine breeding farms
- artificial insemination facilities
- dairy farms
- goat, pig and poultry farms
- mobile practices and veterinary clinics of equine, dairy and food animals
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. safely handle and restrain both equines, ruminants and other domestic animals.
2. understand husbandry principles to maintain the health and welfare of equines and ruminants and other domestic animals.
3. review the basic anatomy and physiology of the above species, with emphasis on the relevant practical aspects. Be familiar with the theory and practice of large animal and other species’ wound care.
4. administer analgesia and perform anaesthesia effectively on the above species.
5. develop programs to promote preventative medicine in both equines and domestic animals.
Assignments presentations 15-30%.
Midterms/quizzes 20-30%.
Professionalism 10%.
Internship evaluation & competency checklist 10%.
Final exam (written & practical) 15 -25%
100%
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
- McCurnin, Dennis & Bassert, J.M. Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier. Current edition. (required)
- Hanie, A.H., Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier. 1st ed. (required)
- Rockett, J. & Bosted, S. 2007 Veterinary Clinical Procedures. Thomson Delmar. (recommended)
- Equine Research Inc. 2007 Illustrated Horsemen’s Veterinary Encyclopedia. ERI Texas. (recommended)
Successful completion of year 1 of AHT