Veterinary Nursing 1
Overview
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 settings
History, physical exam and record keeping
- accurate history taking
- medical records with a 'subjective, objective, assessment and plan' format (problem-orientated medical records)
- normal and abnormal vital signs
- Fluorescein dye test, Schirmer tear test and tonometry
- dog and cat breeds
- age equivalencies in dogs and cats
- routine healthcare for dogs and cats: vaccine protocols, parasite control protocols, lifestage nutrition
General nursing
- grooming (bathing, nail trims, ear care, anal gland expression)
- physical and psychological needs including assessing pain and attitude
- monitoring vital signs
- administration of medications: topical, oral, per rectum (enemas), parenteral injections
- care of pediatric and senior patients
- blood collection and sample handling
Kennel management
- employing appropriate fear-free techniques
- 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. Classroom instructional activities may include on-line open book quizzes, assignments, group work, online webinars and a discussion board.
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.
In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:
- achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in both lecture and lab components of the course
- demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills
- attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled lab hours
Evaluation will be based on:
Lab evaluations: 15-40% (no single evaluation worth more than 10%)
Assignments: 10-30%
Quizzes: 10-20% (no single quiz worth more than 10%)
Term tests(s): 10-20%
Final examination(s): 30-40%
Total: 100%
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- safely and competently perform dog and cat essential skills designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association;
- describe the physical appearance of healthy dogs and healthy cats;
- recognize and identify common dog and cat breeds;
- recognize signs of illness in dogs and cats;
- safely handle and restrain dogs, cats and other species for physical examination and clinical procedures;
- obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, for animals under examination;
- observe and describe a range of behaviour cues in dogs and cats, including warning signs of aggression;
- obtain and record medical 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 for animals under examination;
- administer various forms of medication to dogs and cats, including oral medication and parenteral injections;
- perform venipuncture, blood collection and sample handling;
- institute kennel management procedures, including cleaning, disinfection and isolation;
- perform wellness examinations including applying proper vaccination protocols;
- employ fear-free strategies to all aspects of animal handling.
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- JM Bassert, AD Beal and OM Samples. (Current Edition). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Pub Elsevier.
Requisites
Prerequisites
Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of a C in all courses in order to progress in the program.
Corequisites
None
Equivalencies
None
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 to Other Institutions
Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.
| Institution | Transfer details for VTEC 1103 | |
|---|---|---|
| There are no applicable transfer credits for this course. | ||