Course

Exotic & Lab Animal Clinics

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Animal Health Technology
Course Code
AHTT 2307
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Practicum
Field Experience
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course will give students the necessary clinical skills to be proficient with exotic pets as well as laboratory animals. Students will gain knowledge and experience in exotic pet handling, restraint and treatment. Students will be exposed to laboratory animal guidelines and procedures.

Enrollment is limited to students in the Animal Health Technology Program.
Course Content

The major topics in the course include

Exotic and Laboratory Animal  Species (including rodents, rabbits, reptiles and avian species)

  1. Handling and Restraint
  2. Husbandry
  3. Anatomy & Physiology, with emphasis on the differences from cats/dogs and the significance for clinical procedures, anesthesia, research purposes, etc.
  4. Laboratory Animal Medicine – focus on research applications

CCAC’s National Institutional Animal User Training Programs

Guidelines, Legislations and Regulations

Ethics in Animal Experimentation

The 3 R’s of Humane Animal Experimentation

Occupational Health and Safety

Research Issues\Basic Animal Care\Environmental Enrichment

Basic Diseases and the Animal Facility

Pain, Distress and Endpoints

Analgesia

Anesthesia\Euthanasia of Experimental Animals

5.  Clinical Procedures

6.  Labs and clinical rotations for practical experience on handling, restraint, basic procedures and anesthesia.

Learning Activities

This course involves eight hours per week of classroom instruction or laboratory activity for six weeks.  In addition, students will spend six to eight hours per week for six weeks in Workplace Lab Instruction in large animal veterinary clinics and related facilities to develop workplace practical skills. Finally, a three week practicum will allow students individual internship experience.

Means of Assessment
Practical exams 20-30
Laboratory Assignments & Projects 20-40
Preparation, Participation & Attendance 10
Final Examination   20-40
  100%

Grades: A+ 95-100, A 90-94, A- 85-89, B+ 80-84, B 75-79, B- 70-74, C+ 65-69, C 60-64, C- 55-59, P 50-54, F 0-49.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. safely handle and restrain exotic and lab animal species.
  2. understand husbandry principles to maintain the health and welfare of exotics and lab animal species.
  3. review the basic anatomy and physiology of the above species, with emphasis on the relevant practical aspects.
  4. understand common diagnostics & therapeutic procedures in exotic and alb animal species.
  5. understand the role of the CCAC and regulations surrounding the use of animals in laboratories.
  6. understand common clinical procedures performed on exotic and lab animal species.
Textbook Materials
  • McCurnin, D.M. & Bassert, J.M., Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier, Current ed. (required)
  • Crowe, Steven E. 2009. Manual of Clinical Procedures in the Dog, Cat & Rabbit. Blackwell Publishing. 3rd edition. (required)
  • Sirois, Margi. 2004. Principles and Practice of Veterinary Technology. Mosby Inc. (recommended)
  • Steel toed rubber boots and coveralls or appropriate farm wear will be required for all farm and large animal visits. Clinic shoes and scrubs/lab coat will be required for in clinic instruction.

Requisites

Prerequisites

AHTT 2107

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for AHTT 2307
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025