Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1

This course is designed to provide a foundation for veterinary medical language and basic anatomy and physiology. Positional, directional and planes of body and body cavity terminology are also discussed. From the cellular to the tissue level to the gross anatomical level, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems of both small (canine, feline), avian and large (bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine) animals are covered.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary background to perform basic veterinary clinical or laboratory procedures. The methodology for care and maintenance of veterinary laboratory equipment is covered, in addition to the materials and methods used to perform common diagnostic tests, sample preparation and submission, and accurate record keeping. Diagnostic testing for, and identification of common small and
large animal parasites are practiced. Students will also be introduced to basic clinical pathology including hematology and complete blood counts.

Veterinary Nursing 1

This course introduces safe animal handling and components of the physical exam. Students will learn how to obtain the basic medical history and vital signs of a patient and how to record these data in veterinary medical records. Aspects of breed recognition, animal behaviour, safe restraint, nursing care and husbandry of healthy, sick and hospitalized patients are covered. Basic technical skills including grooming, medication administration, injections and blood collection are included.

Veterinary Administrative Procedures

This course is designed to introduce the student to the administrative duties and procedures required in a veterinary setting. Topics covered will include: reception and public relations skills, appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, interpersonal skills, time and stress management, inventory control, filing and records management procedures, and veterinary medical ethics. The computer applications will provide a practical, working knowledge of word processing and veterinary software. Health and safety, including WHMIS certification and job search skills will be covered.

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 2

This course includes the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular, hematologic, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, reproductive and sensory systems of both small (canine, feline), avian and large (bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine) animals. This course includes further development of veterinary terminology skills and completes the detailed review of small and large animal anatomical and physiological systems.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2

This course will further develop 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.

Veterinary Nursing 2

This course builds on skills learned in VTEC 1103 (Veterinary Nursing 1) and provides a basic introduction to the fields of veterinary anesthesia, emergency medicine and fluid therapy. Additional topics include intravenous catheter placement, urinary procedures, wound care and bandaging. A one-week practicum is included in this course.

Veterinary Pharmacology

This course provides a foundation in the basic principles of pharmacology. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and general pharmacological principles and definitions, as well as a review of drugs that affect various body systems are included. Practical applications of pharmacology concepts for a variety of species are addressed.

Veterinary Diseases

This course introduces students to the cause of veterinary 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.

VTEC Practicum 1

In this course, students take part in a two-week practicum placement in a small animal hospital. Students practice and are evaluated on veterinary technology skills, such as dog and cat restraint, medication administration, venipuncture, intravenous catheter placement, urine collection and bandaging.

Anatomy & Physiology Basics

This course provides a foundation for basic anatomy, physiology and animal nutrition, starting with the positional and directional planes of the body and veterinary medical terminology. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of biochemistry and cell biology and how these processes are involved in animal nutrition. The anatomy, physiology and diseases of the skeletal and muscular systems of both small (canine, feline) and large (ruminant, equine, porcine) animals are covered.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1 Theory

This course provides the foundation needed to perform basic veterinary clinical or laboratory procedures. Topics covered include methodology for care and maintenance of veterinary laboratory equipment, materials and methods used to perform common diagnostic tests, sample preparation and submission, accurate record keeping, clinical pathology and clinical hematology. Diagnostic testing for, and identification of, common small and large animal parasites are practiced.

Veterinary Nursing Skills

The course is an introduction to practical veterinary nursing skills. Topics include: safe canine and feline handling and restraint, medical history, physical examination and medical records. Veterinary nursing skills introduced in the course include grooming, medication administration, injection techniques, blood collection, intravenous and urinary catheter placement, bandaging and the indications, and nursing skills.

Pharmacology Basics

This course provides a foundation in basic principles of pharmacology and pharmacy practice for veterinary technologists. Topics covered in this course include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dispensing regulations, nutraceuticals, analgesic drugs, and antimicrobial drugs.

Systems 1

This course is an introduction to the neurologic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems in domestic animals. For each system, topics include anatomy, physiology, common diseases, and treatments available for each disease. In addition, the life cycle and diseases associated with common parasites of domestic animals are reviewed, and the drugs used for prevention and treatment of those parasites are discussed.

Veterinary Nursing Skills Lab

This is a condensed lab-only course intended for students registered in the part-time VTEC program. Students will practice essential veterinary nursing skills, such as medication administration, venipuncture, intravenous and urinary catheter placement, and bandaging.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1 Lab

This is a condensed lab-only course intended for students registered in the part-time VTEC program. Students perform veterinary laboratory skills such as use and care of microscopes, parasite identification, diagnostic tests for parasites including fecal analysis, hematology, collection of samples for laboratory analysis and laboratory record keeping.

Clinical Placement 1

This is a work experience and essential skills evaluation course. Students are required to work in an approved veterinary hospital for the duration of the semester.

Laboratory Procedures 2 Theory

This course further develops veterinary clinical and laboratory skills introduced in VTEC 1302 and VTEC 1307 and introduces additional topics. Topics include transfusion medicine, serum chemistry testing, urinalysis, immunology and serology. Cytological techniques and microbiology are reviewed for domestic veterinary species, with an emphasis on pathogens relevant to companion (small) animals.

Veterinary Nursing & Behaviour

This course is a follow-up to VTEC 1303 and VTEC 1306, introducing more advanced veterinary nursing topics, as well as the prevention and treatment of behavioural problems, in canines and felines. Topics include fluid therapy, the physiology and treatment of shock, common emergency scenarios and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, toxicology, preventative healthcare, pediatric and geriatric nursing and an introduction to working in the radiography suite.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2 Lab

This is a lab-based course where students practice and are evaluated on veterinary laboratory skills, such as cross-matching blood, urinalysis and microbiology.

Systems 2

This course is an introduction to the immune, urinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, integumentary and sensory systems in domestic animals. The anatomy, physiology and common diseases of each system are discussed, as well as the pharmacological, nutritional and/or surgical interventions available for each disease.

Veterinary Dentistry

This course will review the basics of companion animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention and detection of periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental cleaning and oral hygiene, dental charting, dental radiography, client education and home care.

Enrolment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.

Large Animal Clinics

This course covers aspects of large animal veterinary technology. Topics include the restraint, physical examination, husbandry, medical and surgical procedures and general healthcare of equines, ruminants and other farm animal species.

Veterinary Anesthesia

This course combines theoretical and practical aspects of veterinary anesthesia for both small and large animals. Topics include the calculation of drug doses, pre-anesthetic patient preparation, administration of local anesthetics, sedatives, induction drugs and inhalant anesthetics, monitoring patients under general anesthesia, detection and management of anesthetic complications, as well as post-operative patient care and pain prevention. Inhalant anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment will also be covered.

Veterinary Radiography

This course covers all aspects of veterinary radiography. Topics include the theoretical aspects of radiography, radiation safety, patient handling techniques, correct positioning for radiography and evaluation of radiographs.

Animal Behaviour and Welfare

This course covers practical and theoretical study of relevant normal and problem behaviours of companion animals. Client communication and education are emphasized. Discussions of ethical and welfare issues in both small and large animals and in the safe handling of aggressive and injured animals are also addressed.

Animal Nutrition

This course will examine the dietary requirements of companion and food animals and how nutrition affects animal health. Students will also be provided with the knowledge required to counsel small animal clients on life stage, preventative and therapeutic nutrition as well as available supplements and nutraceuticals.

Enrolment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.

Veterinary Elective Procedures (Dentistry & Surgical Assistance)

This course will review the basics of companion animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention and detection of periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental cleaning and oral hygiene, dental charting, dental radiography, client education, and home care.
This course will also prepare students for live animal surgical assistance labs in the following semester. Topics covered will include aseptic preparation of packs and equipment, preparation of the patient for surgery, surgical scrub, gowning and gloving, and assisting the surgeon in the surgical suite.

Veterinary Nursing 3

In this course students will learn and practice advanced veterinary nursing skills. Skills acquired in Veterinary Nursing 1 and 2 will be reviewed and further developed. Advanced drug dosing, fluid administration, constant rate infusion (CRI) and transfusion calculations will be practiced. Students will gain experience in client and workplace communication. Emergency and critical care nursing will be emphasized along with the medical record keeping needed for these disciplines. Ward and hospital management will be discussed from a veterinary technologist's perspective. Palliative care, oncology and toxicology will be reviewed.

Veterinary Surgical Assistance

This course will cover practical application of surgical nursing including scrubbing into, and assisting during a live animal surgery. In addition, students will become familiar with common veterinary surgery types, suturing and suture removal as well as principles of wound healing and wound management. In addition, students will continue to develop their skills in live small animal veterinary anesthesia, and more complex anesthesia scenarios are introduced in a simulation format to help students develop their problem solving skills in a standardized format.

Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction

This course will introduce genetics and the basics of genetic disease. Strategies to decrease the frequency of genetic disease will be discussed. Normal and abnormal reproductive anatomy and physiology of the common domestic species will be reviewed. Discussion will include the reproductive cycle of each species and signs and symptoms associated with normal parturition and dystocia. The veterinary team's role in assisting with the reproductive process will be emphasized. Enrollment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.

Lab Animal and Exotics

This course will introduce avian, exotic pet and laboratory animal clinical skills. Students will gain knowledge and experience in handling, restraint and treatment and will be exposed to laboratory animal guidelines and procedures.

Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

The student will receive further practice in radiography with emphasis on problem solving. Contrast media in radiography and advanced diagnostic imaging including ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy and infrared thermography are discussed. Equine radiography is discussed and practiced. Patient preparation for both basic and advanced techniques is included.

Veterinary Nutrition

This course covers the dietary requirements of companion animals and how nutrition affects animal health. Topics covered in this course include preventative and therapeutic nutrition, weight loss, supplements and nutraceuticals, and counselling small animal owning clients on life stage and prescription veterinary diets.

Veterinary Technology Practicum 3

In this course students will take part in a 4-week practicum placement in a small animal hospital.

Veterinary Nursing 3

In this course, students will learn and practice advanced veterinary nursing skills. Skills acquired in Veterinary Nursing 1 (VTEC 1103) and 2 (VTEC 1203) will be reviewed and further developed. Advanced drug dosing, fluid administration, constant rate infusion (CRI) and transfusion calculations will be practiced. Students will gain experience in client and workplace communication. Emergency and critical care nursing will be emphasized, along with the medical record keeping needed for these disciplines. Ward and hospital management will be discussed from a veterinary technologist's perspective.

Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction

This course will introduce genetics and the basics of genetic disease. Breeding strategies to decrease the frequency of genetic disease will be discussed. Normal and abnormal reproductive anatomy and physiology of the common domestic species will be reviewed. Discussion will include the reproductive cycle of each species and signs and symptoms associated with normal parturition and dystocia. The veterinary team's role in assisting with the reproductive process will be emphasized.

Clinical Placement 3

This is a work experience and essential skills evaluation course. Students are required to work in an approved veterinary hospital for the duration of the semester.

Veterinary Anesthesia Lab

In this lab-based course, students practice skills related to canine and feline veterinary anesthesia. Practical anesthesia skills covered include calculation of drug doses, pre-anesthetic preparation, administration of injectable and inhalant drugs, anesthetic equipment, patient monitoring, detection and management of anesthetic complications, post-anesthetic care and pain prevention.

Veterinary Anesthesia Theory

This course provides the theoretical foundation for the application of veterinary anesthesia to domestic animals, with a focus on dogs and cats. Topics include the calculation of drug doses, pre-anesthetic patient preparation, administration of local anesthetics, sedatives, induction drugs and inhalant anesthetics, anesthetic and monitoring equipment, monitoring patients under general anesthesia, detection and management of anesthetic complications, and post-anesthetic care and pain prevention.

Clinical Placement 2

This is a work experience and essential skills evaluation course. Students are required to work in an approved veterinary hospital for the duration of the semester.