Course description
This course further develops veterinary clinical and laboratory skills. Topics include transfusion medicine, serum chemistry testing, urinalysis, immunology and serology. Cytological techniques and microbiology are reviewed for all domestic veterinary species, with an emphasis on pathogens relevant to companion (small) animals.
Course content
Transfusion medicine
- canine and feline blood types
- blood typing techniques
- cross matching of blood for transfusion
Components of the urinalysis
- sample collection techniques
- gross evaluation, urine specific gravity, biochemical analysis, sediment preparation and analysis
Immunological and serological testing
- ELISA, serum agglutination and precipitation tests
- serum protein electrophoresis
- antibody titers
- in-clinic test kits for heartworm and FeLV/FIV
Whole blood and serum chemistry
- sample collection and handling
- record keeping and lab requisition forms
- testing procedures
- quality control
- manual testing
Endocrine and major organ function testing
- thyroid gland function
- adrenocortical gland function
- glucose homeostasis
- hepatic function
- renal function
Cytology and histopathology
- tissue sampling, collection and preservation techniques
- preparation and staining
- gross and microscopic tissue and fluid analysis
Microbiology
- pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal) growth patterns, morphology, testing techniques and control methods
- sample collection, including use of culture media
- gross colony and microscopic organism evaluation including staining techniques
- biochemical analysis
- laboratory safety and quality control
- basics of antimicrobial sensitivity testing
Learning activities
This course may include lectures, assignments, labs, demonstrations, in-person practical skills evaluations, case studies, group work, classroom presentations, flipped classroom, simulations and/or online quizzes.
Means of assessment
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:
- 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 labs
- achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in each of the lecture and lab components of the course
Evaluation will be based on:
Lab evaluations: 10-30% (no single evaluation worth more than 10%)
Assignments: 10-30%
Quizzes: 10-30% (no single quiz worth more than 10%)
Term tests(s): 10-20%
Final examination(s): 30-40%
Total: 100%
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- describe veterinary blood types;
- perform blood typing and cross matching;
- handle and prepare a urine sample for analysis;
- perform a complete urinalysis;
- perform serum chemistry profiles and recognize abnormalities;
- describe common serological and immunological veterinary testing procedures;
- collect, handle and prepare tissue and fluid samples for analysis;
- apply staining techniques and use microbiological culture media;
- describe tests to identify microscopic organisms;
- describe methods of antimicrobial sensitivity testing.
Textbook materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- Sirois, M. (Current Edition). Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.