Course Description
This course is a follow-up to VTEC 1303 and VTEC 1306, introducing more advanced veterinary nursing topics, as well as the prevention and treatment of behavioural problems, in canines and felines. Topics include fluid therapy, the physiology and treatment of shock, common emergency scenarios and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, toxicology, preventative healthcare, pediatric and geriatric nursing and an introduction to working in the radiography suite.
Course Content
Preventative healthcare and husbandry
- kennel management, cleaning and disinfection, biosecurity and isolation practices
- general nursing care of hospital inpatients and outpatient care
- wellness appointments, lifestage nutrition, deworming and vaccine protocols
- nursing care and nutrition of pediatric and geriatric patients
Urgent and emergency nursing care
- fluid therapy
- causes and physiology of shock
- stages and planes of anesthesia
- monitoring cardiorespiratory function and level of consciousness: blood pressure, oxygenation, capnography, ECG
- triage and CPR
- toxicology
- physiology and stages of wound healing
- treatment of simple and complex wounds and abscesses
Prevention and treatment of common canine and feline behaviour problems
- fear, anxiety, stress and aggression in the veterinary hospital setting
- obedience training strategies for puppies and kittens
- inappropriate toileting, separation anxiety, phobias and aggression
Introduction to working in the radiography suite
Learning Activities
Learning activities may include recorded lectures, group work, presentations, case studies, discussion boards, preparation of client education handouts, quizzes, written assignments, client communication simulations and guest speakers. Students will prepare and present case materials based on their small animal hospital clinical experience.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be 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. Evaluation will be based on:
Assignments 20-50% (no assignment worth more than 20%)
Quizzes 10-30% (no quiz worth more than 20%)
Final Exam 20-40%
Total 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- discuss the health and safety precautions required for working in the radiography suite and describe equipment used to take radiographs;
- describe the stages of anesthesia and the key elements of anesthesic monitoring, including blood pressure measurement, pulse oximetry and capnography;
- discuss intravenous and subcutaneous fluid therapy and calculate appropriate fluid volumes for hospitalized patients;
- discuss the assessment of emergency patients, physiology and types of shock, provision of basic CPR and treatment of common toxins;
- describe kennel management procedures, including cleaning, disinfection and isolation;
- discuss the importance of regular wellness appointments, appropriate nutrition and vaccination protocols in preventative health care;
- discuss the special nursing needs, including nutrition of pediatric and senior patients;
- describe the critical elements of successful obedience training;
- identify the stages of fear, anxiety and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats, and discuss the FAS treatment protocols appropriate to each stage;
- discuss techniques used to manage and prevent common behaviour problems in dogs and cats;
- design and produce client educational materials relevant to common training scenarios and problem behaviours in dogs and cats.
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks may include:
- JM Bassert, AD Beal & OM Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier