Instructor : TBD
MxCC email:
Telephone:
Office:
Office hours:
Course Description:
VET *151
SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY WITH LAB
4 credits
Nursing procedures in small animals and laboratory species are discussed. Topics include physical examinations, common medical nursing techniques and emergency care. Long term nursing care of common animal conditions will be discussed including client education. The course includes vaccination protocols, nutritional support and specialized problems encountered in companion and laboratory animals. Relevant clinical cases will be utilized in lecture discussions.
Prerequisites: VET* 100 and VET* 101, each with a grade of “C” or better.
Course Learning Goals:
Students completing the course will be able to:

Describe the general care protocols for small and laboratory animals including daily health checks, post- operative care assessments, medicated bathing and nail trimming procedures.

Describe the special care procedures for geriatric, pediatric, and recumbent animals.

Describe and demonstrate procedures for assessing body temperature, heart and respiratory rates in small and laboratory animals.

Perform patient triage and understand survival prediction indices.

Describe emergency resuscitation concepts and procedures.

Explain methods of determining the hydration status of patients; calculate fluid requirements for rehydration and replacement therapy in patients.

Differentiate between sensible and insensible losses.

Explain routes of fluid administration therapy and monitoring procedures for fluid therapy patients.

List canine and feline blood types; describe the procedures for cross matching and blood transfusions.

Describe methods of physical therapy practices in small animal practice.

Describe the procedures in respiratory therapies used in small animals.

Describe common diseases of small and laboratory animals.

Describe small animal vaccination protocols.
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
Explain zoonotic diseases of small and laboratory animals including methods of prevention, treatment and control.

Describe common diseases of the eyes, ears, and explain methods of diagnosis and treatment in small and laboratory animals.

Describe common cardiac disorders of small animals and methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Describe common endocrine disorders of small and laboratory animals including methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Describe common urogenital, gastrointestinal disorders of small and laboratory animals and explain methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Describe common orthopedic disorders of small animals.

Understand nutritional objectives and principles in feeding companion and laboratory animals.

Describe the components of a nutritional assessment for small and laboratory animals.

Describe special dietary considerations in feeding adult, pediatric, geriatric, pregnant, lactating, injured, and health compromised small and laboratory animals.

Explain routes and methods of providing nutritional support to hospitalized patients.
Grading Policy:
Course Assessments:
Final Exam 30%
Quizzes 30%
Participation 10%
70 %
Laboratory or Clinical Assessments:
Laboratory 30%
30 %
Letter Grade Equivalents:
A = 93 – 100% B = 83 – 86% C = 73 – 76% D = 63 – 66%
A - = 90 – 92% B - = 80 – 82% C - = 70 – 72% D - = 60 – 62%
B + = 87 – 89% C + = 77 – 79% D + = 67 – 69% F = 0 – 59%
Required Course Material:
MxCC Bookstore: Call 860.346.4490 or visit: http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10
001&langId=-1&storeId=10724&demoKey=d
McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, Eighth Edition
Common Diseases of Companion Animals, Third Edition, Summers
Small Animal Pathology for Veterinary Technicians / Amy Johnson /
ISBN: 978-1-118-43421-5 / Wiley Blackwell
Additional Reference sources (NOT REQUIRED):
1.
The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents / John E. Harkness, Joseph E.
Wagner
2.
Manual of Clinical Procedures in the Dog, Cat, and Rabbit / Steven Crow, Sally
Walshaw
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Course Alignment with MxCC Core Competencies:
How this course addresses MxCC core competencies:
1.
Communication Skills : Students are encouraged to apply verbal communication skills in discussing class work and conceptual exercises with the instructor and fellow students. Written communication skills will be exercised in a variety of ways, such as class homework assignments, laboratory assignments or clinical skills (in appropriate courses), quizzes and examinations. Students must be able to communicate effectively with other technical staff, veterinarians, and clients.
2.
Conceptual/Critical Thinking Skills : Students will be required to assess and reflect on their individual learning styles. The scientific method will be the basis for scientific inquiry throughout the course. Students will acquire, synthesize and logically analyze information, and present their conclusions in written and oral form during classroom and laboratory activities.
3.
Information Literacy : Information literacy skills will be utilized to access and use information contained in the Blackboard Course shell and Publisher website.
4.
Quantitative Reasoning : Throughout the course quantitative reasoning is addressed via classroom discussion regarding various laboratory tests, conventional medical tests, and integrated scientific concepts are applied as they consider differential diagnosis and disease states with expected intervention strategies. Quantitative reasoning will be introduced on an as needed basis to explain scientific data and trends in health care.
5.
Understanding of Diversity : Some important contributions and discoveries from persons of various ethnicity, race, culture, religion and national origin will be discussed.
6.
Values, Ethics and Responsible Citizenship : The course will make special note of ethics and legal responsibilities of scientists, veterinary healthcare providers, politicians and citizens.
7.
Aesthetic Perspective : Students will be able to appreciate the symmetry and beauty of a variety of species of animals and the interrelationship between form and function.
MxCC Policies:
IMPORTANT COLLEGE POLICIES!! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
For information about the college's policies and procedures regarding academic honesty, accessibility/disability services, attendance, audio-recording in the classroom, grade appeals, plagiarism, religious accommodations, weather and emergency closings, and more, please go to the following website: www.mxcc.edu/catalog/syllabus-policies/ or scan the QR code with your smart phone. Also, please become familiar with the policies regarding nondiscrimination, sexual misconduct, and general student conduct at the following website: www.mxcc.edu/nondiscrimination/ .
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NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Middlesex Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information in its programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate in employment on the additional basis of veteran status or criminal record.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries or complaints regarding non-discrimination policies and practices:

Primary Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Adrienne Maslin
Dean of Students/Title IX and Section 504/ADA Coordinator amaslin@mxcc.edu; 860-343-5759; Founders Hall Room 123|

Secondary Title IX Coordinator
Ms. Queen Fordham
Coordinator of the Meriden Center Welcome Desk qfordham@mxcc.edu; 203-608-3011
IMPORTANT Additional COURSE POLICIES!! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Participation Policy:
In laboratory of clinical courses students who miss lab obviously cannot participate in that lab and cannot submit the associated laboratory assignment(s) for grading. They will receive a grade of 0 for all missed work
.
Make-up Policy: You are expected to take all exams on time. Make-up exams, quizzes, and assessment of laboratory skills are only available with approval of the Instructor. If you will miss any of the above contact the instructor before the evaluation or as soon as possible after the evaluation to see if a make-up can be arranged. Missed exams may result in a 0 grade.
Use of Electronic Devices :
It is expected that all electronic devices be turned off during class. Use of any electronic device during lecture, laboratory, or clinical assessments will result in a grade of “0” for the assessment for the first offense. Additional use of electronic devices during
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assessments will be considered cheating and will follow the Plagiarism and Academic
Honesty policy
Plagiarism & Academic Honesty: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of “F” for the course and immediate referral to the Academic
Dean for further disciplinary action.
Proposed Exam Dates: (Subject to change with notification)
Fill-in appropriate dates
Course Outline:
VET 151 Course
Outline.docx
Laboratory Animal Practicum:
Students will attend training sessions for laboratory animal knowledge and hands-on skills at Yale
Animal Resource Center. Sessions will be scheduled as field trips and cover the topics below:
YARC Program -
FINAL.xlsx
All students will attend a 2 hour lecture presentation in the Pieper Memorial Education Center on
[insert date]. Students will be divided into groups to attend 3 afternoon sessions at YARC.
WHAT IF THE COLLEGE IS CLOSED ON AN EXAM DAY?
[Fill in date] is reserved as an “exam make-up day” in case the college must close on a day when Final Exams are scheduled. This cannot be anticipated in advance! Students and Faculty: Please know that your exam COULD change to this date when planning your personal schedule (work, child care, etc.).
Course Schedule:
Date: Topic: Reading Assignment:
Introduction and get acquainted None
Preventative Health Care Programs McCurnin Ch. 8 pp. 258-274
For Small Animals
Lab animal medicine lecture (and review of Reference material:
YARC topics); Common Clinical diseases of lab animals
Harkness, Wagner: The Biology and
Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents;
Johnson, Small Animal Pathology
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Quiz #1 on Preventative Health Care programs and Lab Animal
Small Animal Medical Nursing
Small Animal Medical Nursing McCurnin Ch. 6 pp. 178-188
Ch. 7 pp. 223-230
Ch. 19 pp. 672-717
Ch. 21 pp. 787-796
Quiz #2 on Medical Nursing
Small Animal Surgical Nursing
Small Animal Surgical Nursing
McCurnin Ch. 30 pp. 1129-1185
Ch. 31 pp. 1186-1211
Ch. 32 pp. 1212-1258
McCurnin Ch. 30 pp. 1129-1185
Quiz #3 on Surgical Nursing
Small Animal Emergency Nursing
Ch. 31 pp. 1186-1211
Ch. 32 pp. 1212-1258
McCurnin Ch. 24 pp. 881-904
Ch. 25 pp. 905-944
Ch. 26 pp. 971-993
Small Animal Emergency Nursing
Chapters 13, 14, 15 (pages 179-218)
McCurnin Ch. 6 pp. 178-188
Ch. 7 pp. 223-230
Ch. 19 pp. 672-717
Ch. 21 pp. 787-796
Quiz # 4 on Emergency Nursing
McCurnin Ch. 24 pp. 881-904
Ch. 25 pp. 905-944
Ch. 26 pp. 971-993
McCurnin Ch. 18 pp. 583-619
Ch. 14 pp. 438-481
Ch. 15 pp. 482-515
Ch. 16 pp. 516-560
Ch. 13 pp. 423-436
Ch. 14 pp. 438-481
Ch. 15 pp. 482-515
Quiz #5 on Diagnostic Techniques and Nursing
Animal Behavior
Ch. 16 pp. 516-560
McCurnin Ch. 5 pp. 133-164
Ch. 9 pp. 291-336
Small Animal Nutrition
Nursing Concepts in Alternative Medicine McCurnin Ch. 23 pp. 845-878
Including Physical Therapy
Quiz #6 on Behavior, Nutrition and Alternative
Medicine
Last day of class; Review
Final Exam (Written and Practical)
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