Course Description
This course builds on skills learned in VTEC 1103 (Veterinary Nursing 1) and provides a basic introduction to the fields of veterinary anesthesia, emergency medicine and fluid therapy. Additional topics include intravenous catheter placement, urinary procedures, wound care and bandaging. A one-week practicum is included in this course.
Course Content
Intravenous catheterization:
- types of IV catheters, placement and nursing care
Urinary collection:
- methods of urine collection
- types of urinary catheters
- catheterization of male and female dogs and male cats
- nursing care of indwelling urinary catheters
Intravenous fluid therapy:
- IV fluids including colloids and crystalloids
- fluid therapy calculations
- physiology of fluid compartmentalization
- dehydration and shock (various types)
Emergency Medicine:
- triage and assessment of the emergency patient
- basics of CPR, emergency care and contents of the crash cart
- common toxins, effects and treatment
Wound Management:
- phases and types of healing
- wound contamination and infection
- first aid, assessment and management of wounds
- bandages (including splints) and home care
Anesthesia:
- anesthesia safety
- planes of anesthesia
- anesthetic monitoring and record keeping
- monitoring equipment including pulse oximeter, direct and indirect blood pressure, capnograph, ECG
Radiography suite:
- personal protective equipment and dosimeters
- radiography equipment and dark room
Pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds:
- handling and restraint
- breed and species recognition
Learning Activities
This course includes a one-week practicum at a suitable external veterinary clinic. A suitable veterinary clinic must employ a full-time RVT (registered veterinary techinician). The student is responsible for initiating contact and obtaining permission for practicum at a clinic of their choice.
Instructional activities may include open book online quizzes, in class presentations, pre-lab videos and video evaluations, in-person instructor evaluations, workshop and live animal labs as well as off-campus experiential learning opportunities.
Means of Assessment
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%
Quizzes & term tests 10-30%
Practical Evaluations 15-40%
Final Lecture Exam 10-30%
Final Lab Exam 10-20%
Total 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- calculate and apply intravenous and subcutaneous fluid therapy plans for hospitalized patients;
- place an intravenous catheter in a peripheral vein and discuss nursing care required for them;
- collect urine specimens from dogs and cats using appropriate methods;
- place urinary catheters and discuss the nursing care required for them;
- perform basic assessment of the emergency patient, provision of CPR and treatment of common toxins;
- apply appropriate wound care and perform basic bandaging techniques for dogs and cats;
- discuss the basics of anesthesia including safety, anesthetic monitoring and blood pressure measurement;
- identify differences in handling and restraint of pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds;
- list the health and safety precautions required for working in the radiography suite and describe equipment used to take radiographs.
Textbook Materials
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.