Lecture: 2 hours/week
Lab: 3 hours/week
Practicum: 1 week (40 hours)
This course includes a 1 week practicum. 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. Off-campus duties for large animal practical skills are also required.
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Intravenous catheterization
- types of IV catheters, placement and nursing care
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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
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Intravenous fluid therapy
- IV fluids including colloids and crystalloids
- fluid therapy calculations
- physiology of fluid compartmentalization
- dehydration and shock (various types)
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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
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Wound Management
- phases and types of healing
- wound contamination and infection
- first aid, assessment and management of wounds
- bandages, including splints, and home care
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Anesthesia
- anesthesia safety
- planes of anesthesia
- anesthetic monitoring and record keeping
- monitoring equipment including pulse oximeter, direct and indirect blood pressure, capnograph, ECG
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Radiography suite orientation
- personal protective equipment and dosimeters
- radiography equipment and dark room
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Pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds
- handling and restraint
- breed and species recognition
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
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Discuss intravenous and subcutaneous fluid therapy and calculate appropriate fluid volumes for hospitalized patients.
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Place an intravenous catheter in a peripheral vein and discuss nursing care of intravenous catheters.
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Collect urine specimens from dogs and cats using appropriate methods.
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Place urinary catheters and discuss the nursing care required for them.
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Discuss assessment of the emergency patient, provision of CPR and treatment of common toxins.
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Discuss wound care and perform basic bandaging techniques for dogs and cats.
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Discuss the basics of anesthesia including safety, anesthetic monitoring and blood pressure measurement.
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Identify differences in handling and restraint of pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds.
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Discuss the health and safety precautions required for working in the radiography suite and describe equipment used to take radiographs.
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:
Assignments 15-40%
Quizzes & Term tests 10-30%
Practical Evaluations 15-40%
Final Lecture Exam 10-30%
Final Lab Exam 10-20%
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.