Course Description
The course is an introduction to practical veterinary nursing skills. Topics include: safe canine and feline handling and restraint, medical history, physical examination and medical records. Veterinary nursing skills introduced in the course include grooming, medication administration, injection techniques, blood collection, intravenous and urinary catheter placement, bandaging and the indications, and nursing skills.
Course Content
Handling, restraint and behaviour:
- behaviour (normal, abnormal, species differences)
- relationship between patient behaviour and safe handling of each species
- canine and feline restraint devices
- fear free strategies to decrease stress and improve the safety and welfare of patients and staff
- basic training concepts: counter-conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement/ punishment
History, physical exam and record keeping:
- accurate history taking
- medical records including the subjective, objective, assessment and plan (SOAP) format
- normal and abnormal vital signs
- physical examination of dogs and cats
- Fluorescein dye test, Schirmer tear test and tonometry
- dog and cat breeds
General nursing:
- grooming (bathing, nail trimming, ear care, anal gland expression)
- physical and psychological needs
- pain assessment
- administration of medications: topical, oral, per rectum (enemas), parenteral injections
- blood collection and sample handling
- intravenous and urinary catheters
- bandaging
Learning Activities
Instructional activities may include recorded lectures, online quizzes, presentations, case studies, discussion board, group work, written and video assignments, client communication simulations and guest speakers. In-person laboratory activities may involve the use of models and cadavers, as well as live animals.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be 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. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Assignments 30-50%
Quizzes & Term tests 10-30%
Final Exam 20-40%
Total 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Observe and interpret normal behaviour signs in dogs and cats, including warning signs of fear and aggression;
- Describe the physical appearance of healthy dogs and cats and recognize signs of illness;
- Safely handle and restrain dogs and cats for physical examinations and clinical procedures using fear free approaches to minimise patient stress;
- Obtain vital signs in dogs and cats, including temperature, pulse and respiration;
- Obtain and record history and physical exam data such as the fluorescein dye test, Schirmer tear test and tonometry;
- Provide basic grooming care to dogs and cats including nail trims, bathing, ear cleaning and anal gland expression;
- Describe different methods of medication administration and the risks and benefits of each method;
- List the steps required to safely perform venipuncture and to prepare blood samples for laboratory testing;
- Discuss methods of intravenous catheter and urinary catheter placement and nursing care;
- Discuss the use of bandages in dogs and cats for wound management and describe the potential complications;
- Recognize common dog and cat breeds.
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.