Course Description
This course introduces students to the cause of diseases and provides an overview of the transmission, clinical signs, treatment and prevention of common diseases in both small and large animals. Specific modes of disease transmission and prevention (including both large and small animal vaccine schedules) are detailed. Enrollment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.
Course Content
The major topics in this course include the following:
- Causes of disease
- pathogens: parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa
- factors predisposing to disease
- oncology: tumor formation and classification
- degenerative, developmental, autoimmune, metabolic, idiopathic, iatrogenic, traumatic, toxic and immune-mediated diseases
- Vaccine programs for small and large animals
- discussion of core vaccines
- recommended vaccine protocols
- common small and large animal infectious diseases prevented through vaccination
- Common diseases and disorders of the following small and large animal body systems
- gastrointestinal
- endocrine
- cardiopulmonary
- nervous
- musculoskeletal
- urogenital
- integumentary
- sensory
Methods Of Instruction
This course involves four hours of classroom instruction per week.
Means of Assessment
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 order to pass this course. Evaluation will be based on quizzes and assignments, at least one midterm and a final written examination.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Describe common causes of disease.
- Describe common infectious diseases prevented through vaccination.
- Identify types of vaccines, and describe basic small and large animal vaccine protocols and schedules.
- Describe the process of tumor formation and classification, resistance to tumors, and autoimmunity.
- Describe common diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal and endocrine systems, the cardio-pulmonary systems, the neuro-musculo-skeletal systems, the urogenital systems and the skin and sensory systems.
- List federally reportable diseases and methods of control.
Textbook Materials
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.