Course

Veterinary Nursing 2

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 1203
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Practicum
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Winter

Overview

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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1101 and VTEC 1102 and VTEC 1103 and VTEC 1112 and MATH 1183

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

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 VTEC 1203
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
28
Remaining seats:
2
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2143
Times:
Start Time
13:00
-
End Time
15:50
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2145
Times:
Start Time
13:00
-
End Time
15:50
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A1230
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

VTEC 1203 001 is restricted to FT Veterinary Technology students.