Course

Laboratory Procedures 2 Theory

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 1312
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Clinical
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course further develops veterinary clinical and laboratory skills covered in VTEC 1302 and VTEC 1307 and introduces additional topics. Topics include transfusion medicine, serum chemistry testing, urinalysis, immunology and serology. Cytological and microbiology techniques are reviewed for domestic veterinary species, with an emphasis on pathogens relevant to companion (small) animals. Students must be working in a veterinary clinic or hospital whilst taking this course.
Course content

Transfusion medicine:

  • canine and feline blood-types
  • blood typing procedures
  • cross-matching of blood for transfusion

Urinalysis:

  • sample collection techniques 
  • gross evaluation of urine
  • urine specific gravity
  • biochemical analysis
  • sediment preparation and analysis

Immunological and serological testing:

  • ELISA, serum agglutination and precipitation tests
  • serum protein electrophoresis
  • antibody titres
  • in-clinic test kits for heartworm and feline immunodeficiency and leukemia viruses

Whole blood and serum chemistry:

  • sample collection and handling
  • record keeping and lab requisition forms
  • testing procedures
  • quality control

Endocrine and major organ function testing:

  • thyroid gland function
  • adrenocortical gland function
  • glucose homeostasis
  • hepatic & renal function

Cytology and histopathology:

  • tissue sampling, collection and preservation techniques
  • preparation and staining
  • gross and microscopic tissue and fluid analysis

Microbiology:

  • pathogen 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

Learning activities may include recorded lectures, group work, presentations, case studies, discussion boards, preparation of client handouts, quizzes, written assignments, client communication simulations and guest speakers.  Students will prepare and present case materials based on their small animal hospital clinical experience. Students will practice and be evaluated on laboratory skills during their clinical placement.

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.

Evaluation will be based on:

Lab evaluations: 10-30% (no single evaluation worth more than 10%)

Assignments: 10-40% (no single assignment worth more than 20%)

Quizzes: 10-20% 

Term test(s): 10-20%

Final examination: 30-40%

Total: 100%

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • perform routine laboratory analyser maintenance and quality control techniques;
  • prepare, label, package and store specimens for laboratory analysis;
  • describe veterinary blood types, cross-matching and blood-typing procedures;
  • describe safe handling and preparation of a urine sample, including the steps to a complete urinalysis;
  • discuss the components of a serum chemistry profile and recognize abnormalities;
  • perform a serum chemistry profile using a desk-top chemistry analyser;
  • use a glucometer to obtain blood glucose measurements;
  • describe common serological and immunological veterinary testing procedures;
  • use common ELISA test kits such as feline immunodeficiency and leukemia viruses, heartworm, canine pancreatic lipase and/or giardia SNAP tests;
  • explain proper collection, handling and preparation of blood, tissue and fluid samples for cytological analysis;
  • describe the application of staining techniques, microbiological culture media use and additional testing steps for microscopic organism identification.
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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1307

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

(VTEC 1312 and VTEC 1314) = VTEC 1202

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.

(Current)

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 1312
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

VTEC 1312 001 is restricted to the Part-time VTEC cohort only.