Veterinary Nursing 1
Curriculum guideline
Lecture: 2 hours/week
and
Lab: 3 hours/week
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.
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
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.
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%
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.
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.
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