Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technologists
Program Overview
Program Overview
The university program provided is the Veterinary Technology Diploma Open Learning Program, with a specific focus on the course VTEC 1713: Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technologists.
Course Description
This course is available in Canada only for students enrolled in the Veterinary Technology Diploma Open Learning Program. It provides a practical understanding of the principles and techniques involving small companion animals, emphasizing technical procedures and nursing care.
Delivery Methods
The course is delivered online, paced, and consists of 13 weeks.
Credits and Prerequisites
The course is worth 3.0 credits and has prerequisites of VTEC 1201 with a minimum grade of C and VTEC 1693 with a minimum grade of C.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Collect blood from companion animals utilizing a variety of vessels depending on the species.
- Identify routes of medications using enteral, parenteral, and topical routes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of pedicures, grooming, bathing in companion animals.
- Discuss requirements during parturition and pediatrics patients and care.
- Describe the appropriate ways to administer an enema safely and effectively to a companion animal and provide basic nursing care for anal sacs.
- Utilize and demonstrate bandaging, splinting, and casting of limbs for companion animals.
- Utilize nutritional selection for companion animals using basic principles of nutrition, including calculations for daily rations based on energy requirements.
- Demonstrate knowledge of physical examinations for domestic species.
Course Topics
The course covers the following topics:
- Module 1: Physical Examination
- Module 2: Administration of Medications/Fluids, Enteral, and Parenteral
- Module 3: Venipuncture
- Module 4: Nutrition Basics
- Module 5: Feeding Companion Animals
- Module 6: Vomiting/Diarrhea/Anorexia
- Module 7: Prenatal Care, Parturition, and Pediatrics
- Module 8: Wounds
- Module 9: Bandaging, Splints, and Casts
- Module 10: Skin Disease Management, Bathing, Grooming, and Pedicures
- Module 11: Anal Sacs and Enemas
Required Text and Materials
Students are required to purchase the following textbooks:
- Boyle, J. (2016). Crow and Walshaw's manual of clinical procedures in dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
- Bassert, J. M. (2018). McCurnin's clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (10th ed.). Elsevier.
Additional Requirements
A video recording device is required for the course.
Optional Materials
It is strongly recommended that students have access to one of the following editions (or earlier) of a veterinary dictionary:
- Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (2020). Saunders comprehensive veterinary dictionary (5th ed.). Elselvier.
- Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (Eds.). (2016). The Merck veterinary manual (11th ed.). Merck & Co.
Assessments
To successfully complete the course, students must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam. The final grade will be determined based on the following assessments:
- Quiz 1: Physical Examination
- Assignment 1: Physical Examinations
- Quiz 2: Enteral, Parental, and Topical Medications
- Assignment 2: Enteral and Topical Medications
- Assignment 3: Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections
- Assignment 4: IV Blood Collection
- Quiz 3: Nutrition
- Assignment 5: BCS Calculation and Diet Research
- Quiz 4: Nutrition Review
- Assignment 6: Nutritional Consults
- Assignment 7: Prenatal Care, Parturition, and Pediatrics
- Quiz 5: Bandaging, Splints, and Casts
- Assignment 8: Bandages and Splinting
- Quiz 6: Anal Sacs, Enemas, and Bathing
- Assignment 9: Bathing, Expressing Anal Glands, and Nail Trimming
- Final Exam (mandatory)
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students, and contact information will be provided at the start of the course.