Lecture: 2 hours/week
and
Lab: 3 hours/week
The laboratory activities in this course take place both on-campus and off-campus and may include work experience, live animals, models and cadavers, pre-lab videos and video assessments, essential skills practice labs and hands-on instructor evaluations. Classroom instructional activities may include on-line open book quizzes, assignments, group work, online webinars and a discussion board.
Handling, restraint and behaviour:
- defining behaviour (normal, abnormal, species differences)
- relationship between patient behaviour and safe handling of each species
- use of restraint devices in hospital and farm settings
- canine and feline basic training (counter-conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement/ punishment)
History, physical exam and record keeping:
- accurate history taking
- medical records with a 'subjective, objective, assessment and plan' format (problem-orientated medical records)
- normal and abnormal vital signs
- Fluorescein dye test, Schirmer tear test and tonometry
- dog and cat breeds
- age equivalencies in dogs and cats
- wellness examination including vaccine protocols
General nursing:
- grooming (bathing, nail trims, ear care, anal gland expression)
- physical and psychological needs including assessing pain and attitude
- monitoring vital signs
- administration of medications: topical, oral, per rectum (enemas), parenteral injections
- care of pediatric and senior patients
- blood collection and sample handling
Kennel management:
- employing appropriate fear-free techniques
- sanitation (cleaning and disinfection)
- isolation procedures
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- describe the physical appearance of healthy dogs and healthy cats;
- recognize signs of illness in dogs and cats;
- safely handle and restrain dogs, cats and other species for physical exams and clinical procedures;
- obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, for animal under examination;
- observe and describe a range of behaviour cues in dogs and cats, including warning signs of aggression;
- obtain and record medical history and physical exam data;
- provide basic grooming care for dogs and cats;
- discuss the special nursing needs of pediatric and senior patients;
- examine, clean and medicate eyes and ears for animals under examination;
- administer various forms of medication to dogs and cats, including oral medication and parenteral injections;
- perform venipuncture, blood collection and sample handling;
- institute kennel management procedures, including cleaning, disinfection and isolation;
- perform wellness examinations including applying proper vaccination protocols;
- employ fear-free strategies to all aspects of animal handling;
- recognize and identify common dog and cat breeds.
Evaluations will be carried out in accordance with the 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 60% is required in both lecture and lab components, in order to obtain a C grade in this course. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Assignments 15-40%
Term Tests 10-20%
Practical Evaluations 15-40%
Final Lecture Exam 10-25%
Final Laboratory Exam 10-25%
Total 100%
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- McCurnin. (Current Edition). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians.JM Bassert, AD Beal and OM Samples: Pub Elsevier.
Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of a C in all courses in order to progress in the program.