Veterinary Nursing 1
Overview
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Handling, restraint and behaviour:
- defining behaviour (normal, abnormal, species differences)
- relationship between patient behaviour and safe handling of each species
- use of restraint devices in hospital and farm settings
- canine and feline basic training (counter-conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement/ punishment)
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History, physical exam and record keeping:
- accurate history taking
- medical records including problem oriented medical record and subjective, objective, assessment and plan formats
- normal and abnormal vital signs
- Fluorescein dye test, Schirmer tear test and tonometry
- dog and cat breeds
- age equivalencies in dogs and cats
- wellness examination including vaccine protocols
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General nursing:
- grooming (bathing, nails, ear care, anal glands)
- physical and psychological needs including assessing pain and attitude
- monitoring vital signs and elimination
- administration of medications: topical, oral, per rectum (enemas), parenteral injections
- care of pediatric and geriatric patients
- blood collection and sample handling
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Kennel management:
- Fear-Free strategies to decrease stress and increase safety and well-being of patients
- sanitation – cleaning and disinfection
- isolation procedures
The laboratory activities in this course take place both on-campus and off-campus and may include work experience, live animals, models and cadavers, pre-lab videos and video assessments, essential skills practice labs and hands-on instructor evaluations. Off-campus duties for large animal practical skills are also required. Classroom instructional activities may include on-line open book quizzes, assignments, group work, online webinars and a discussion board.
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%
Term Tests 10-20%
Practical Evaluations 15-40%
Final Lecture Exam 10-25%
Final Laboratory Exam 10-25%
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- Describe the physical appearance of the healthy dog and cat and recognize signs of illness in each.
- Safely handle and restrain dogs, cats and other species for physical exams and clinical procedures.
- Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, for each species.
- Observe and describe normal behaviour signs including warning signs of aggression in dogs and cats.
- Obtain and record history and physical exam data.
- Provide basic grooming care for dogs and cats.
- Discuss the special nursing needs of pediatric and senior patients.
- Examine, clean and medicate eyes and ears.
- Administer many forms of medication to dogs and cats, including per os/oral administration and parenteral injections.
- Perform venipuncture, blood collection and sample handling.
- Institute kennel management procedures, including cleaning and disinfection and isolation.
- Perform wellness examinations including vaccines.
- Recognize common dog and cat breeds.
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.
Requisites
Prerequisites
No prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
No corequisite courses.
Equivalencies
No equivalent courses.
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
Institution | Transfer Details for VTEC 1103 | |
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There are no applicable transfer credits for this course. |