Course content
Patient preparation for sedation and anesthesia:
- preoperative patient assessment including laboratory skills
- drug calculations and preparation
- medication and fluid administration
- placement and nursing care of intravenous catheters
General anesthesia:
- anesthetic equipment
- anesthetic protocols for pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery
- endotracheal tube placement and care
- inhalant anesthesia
- cardiorespiratory monitoring techniques
- anesthetic monitoring equipment:
- pulse oximeters
- blood pressure monitors
- electrocardiogram
- esophageal stethoscope
- regulated warming devices
- capnograph (optional)
- problem solving during anesthesia
- charts and medical records
- anesthetic and controlled drug logs
Radiation safety:
- radiography equipment
- personal protective equipment
- safe work practices
Radiography:
- positioning techniques for common radiographic views
- technique charts
- labelling, processing and storage of radiographs
- radiograph evaluation
- radiography log
- care and maintenance of x-ray equipment
Dental radiography:
- dental anatomy
- radiograph positioning, exposure, evaluation and storage
Dentistry:
- anatomy and physiology of oral structures and dentition
- oral exam and charting
- dental instrument identification, care and sharpening
- dental cleaning and oral hygiene procedures
- local anesthetic procedures
- personal ergonomics
Learning activities
Students will practice and demonstrate clinical competency in the assigned essential skills (e.g. through submission of photos and videos to the instuctor), using dogs and cats in a veterinary hospital setting.
Assessment of record keeping, laboratory and radiography skills, may include submission of copies of patient medical records, logs, laboratory results and radiographs.
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline listing the specific essential skills to be evaluated and the evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. The essential skills will be evaluated through submission of a minimum of 10 assignments.
In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:
- complete a minimum of 120 hours work in an approved veterinary hospital
- demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills. With instructor permission, demonstration of competency of some skills (up to a maximum of 20% of the total number skills evaluated in the course) may be deferred to future clinical placement courses.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate dog and cat essential skills designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, using live animals;
- accurately calculate drug dosages;
- safely prepare and administer injectable medications;
- securely place an intravenous catheter in a peripheral vein;
- perform routine nursing care of an intravenous catheter;
- safely administer intravenous fluids;
- sedate, induce anesthesia in and intubate dogs and/or cats;
- place and use anesthetic monitoring equipment;
- set up and use inhalant anesthetic machines;
- safely monitor animals under sedation and general anesthesia;
- maintain sedation and anesthesia at an appropriate plane for the procedure;
- troubleshoot changes to vital signs in animals under sedation and anesthesia;
- safely operate stationary and mobile (dental) x-ray machines;
- position and take radiographic images of dogs and cats;
- evaluate the diagnostic quality of radiographs;
- label, process and store radiographs;
- perform a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment including dental charting;
- create diagnostic dental radiographs;
- complete medical records pertaining to anesthesia, dentistry and radiography including anesthetic monitoring charts;
- complete radiography, anesthesia and controlled drug logs.
Note: some skills listed may be evaluated in VTEC 3111 Clinical Placement 4
Textbook materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- JM Bassert, AD Beal & OM Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.