Course

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 1102
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall

Overview

Course description
This course is designed to provide students with the necessary background to perform basic veterinary clinical or laboratory procedures. The methodology for care and maintenance of veterinary laboratory equipment is covered, in addition to the materials and methods used to perform common diagnostic tests, sample preparation and submission, and accurate record keeping. Diagnostic testing for, and identification of common small and
large animal parasites are practiced. Students will also be introduced to basic clinical pathology including hematology and complete blood counts.
Course content

 

  1. Introduction to Laboratory Equipment:
    - function, care and maintenance of compound microscope, refractometer and centrifuge
    - calibration of instruments
  2. Sample Handling
    - sample collection, preparation and analysis
    - accurate record keeping and completion of laboratory requisition form
  3. Parasitology:
    - life cycles of internal and external parasites common in veterinary medicine and their zoonotic potential
    - diagnostic techniques, gross and microscopic identification
  4. Clinical Pathology Part I (Hematology):
    - function and formation of blood cells
    - diseases and abnormalities of blood
    - hemostasis
  5. The Complete Blood Count:
    - manual techniques using a hemacytometer
    - packed cell volumes and serum protein measurement
    - preparation of blood films, including staining and evaluation
    - red blood cell indices calculations, and performance of a differential white blood cell count
Learning activities

This course may involve lectures, hands-on laboratory tasks, demonstrations, case studies, group work, classroom presentations, flipped classroom, simulations and/or online quizzes.

 

Means of assessment

Evaluations will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of “C” or 60% is required, in both lecture and lab components, in order to progress in the Veterinary Technology program. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Quizzes                                        15-45% (no single quiz worth more than 15%)   

Assignments                                 25-50%

Lab Midterm                                 10-20%

Final Exams                                  15-40%

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Set up and safely maintain a veterinary practice laboratory.
  2. Use common laboratory equipment, including the compound microscope, refractometer and centrifuge, and equipment and instrumentation used in parasitology and hematology.
  3. Calibrate and maintain a compound microscope.
  4. Implement quality control methods.
  5. Identify the major parasites of small and large animals.
  6. Describe the life cycles, zoonotic potential and control methods for these parasites.
  7. Perform diagnostic tests routinely used in veterinary parasitology.
  8. Demonstrate techniques used to collect laboratory samples.
  9. Describe the function, formation and abnormalities of components of blood.
  10. Perform routine testing used in hematology, such as Complete Blood Count.
  11. Prepare samples for submission and complete laboratory submission forms.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

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 VTEC 1102
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025