VTEC 1713 - Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technologists

Course Description

Veterinary Technology students develop a practical understanding of the principles and techniques involving small companion animals; emphasizing technical procedures and nursing care. Students focus on the day-to-day procedures performed by a Registered Veterinary Technologist in a veterinary clinic.

Learning outcomes

1. Collect blood from companion animals utilizing a variety of vessels depending on the species.
2. Identify routes of medications using enteral, parenteral and topical routes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of pedicures, grooming, bathing in companion animals.
4. Discuss requirements during parturition and pediatrics patients and care. Identify and discuss the management and treatment of vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia.
5. Describe the appropriate ways to administer an enema safely and effectively to a companion animal and provide basic nursing care for anal sacs.
6. Utilize and demonstrate bandaging, splinting and casting of limbs for companion animals.
7. Utilize nutritional selection for companion animals using basic principles of nutrition, including calculations for daily rations based on energy requirements.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of physical examinations for domestic species.

Course topics

• Module 1: Physical Examination
• Module 2: Administration of Medications/Fluids, Enteral, and Parenteral
• Module 3: Venipuncture
• Module 4: Nutrition Basics
• Module 5: Feeding Companion Animals
• Module 6: Vomiting/Diarrhea/Anorexia
• Module 7: Prenatal Care, Parturition and Pediatrics
• Module 8: Wounds
• Module 9: Bandaging, Splints, and Casts
• Module 10: Skin Disease Management, Bathing, Grooming, and Pedicures
• Module 11: Anal Sacs and Enemas

Required text and materials

Note: Print versions of the textbooks are strongly recommended for all VTEC courses.

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

• Boyle, J. (2016). Crow and Walshaw’s manual of clinical procedures in dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781118985700 / 9781118985724

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.

The following textbook would have been purchased in VTEC 1101. Students who did not take VTEC 1101 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. 

• Bassert, J. M. (2018). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (10th ed.). Elsevier.
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780323722001

Additional requirements

A video recording device

Optional materials

It is strongly recommended that students have access to one of the following editions (or earlier) of a veterinary dictionary. The recommended veterinary dictionaries are:

• Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (2020). Saunders comprehensive veterinary dictionary (5th ed.). Elselvier.
  ISBN: 9780702074639 (This textbook is also available as an e-text.)
• Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (Eds.). (2016). The Merck veterinary manual (11th ed.). Merck & Co.
  ISBN: 9780911910612 (This textbook is available online at: Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual)

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

The following table illustrates how your final grade will be determined for this course.

Prerequisites

VTEC 1201 with a minimum grade of C and;

VTEC 1693 with a minimum grade of C