Program Overview

Program Overview

The university program provided is the Veterinary Technology Intensive Care course, VTEC 2223. This course is available in Canada only for students enrolled in the Veterinary Technology Diploma Open Learning program.

Course Description

In this course, students examine in-depth methods for the anesthetic preparation, monitoring, and recovery of small animals. Emphasis is on the application of procedures and veterinary medicines employed during emergencies, triage, and critical care.

Delivery Methods

The course is delivered online, paced, and consists of 13 weeks.

Credits and Prerequisites

• The course is worth 3.0 credits.
• Prerequisites include VTEC 2113 with a minimum grade of C and VTEC 2213 with a minimum grade of C.
• Exclusions include VTEC 2220.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Assess how to approach particular emergencies in veterinary medicine
• Proficiently implement and practice acquired skills related to veterinary anesthesia, including the monitoring and recovery of small animals
• Demonstrate various emergency and critical care applications of veterinary medicine in a clinical setting
• Recognize small animal medical emergencies and be an integral member of the veterinary hospital response team

Course Topics

The course covers the following modules:

• Module 1: Triage and Emergency Preparedness
• Module 2: IV Access, Fluid Therapy, and Pain Management
• Module 3: Respiratory System, Oxygen, and Blood Gases
• Module 4: Circulatory System, Shock, Sepsis, and CPR
• Module 5: Nutrition and Critical Care Nursing
• Module 6: Specific Cardiovascular Emergencies
• Module 7: Respiratory Emergencies
• Module 8: Gastrointestinal, Metabolic, and Endocrine Emergencies
• Module 9: Urogenital and Toxicological Emergencies
• Module 10: Neurological, Ocular, and Oncological Emergencies
• Module 11: End of Life - Euthanasia

Required Text and Materials

• The required textbook is "Veterinary technician's manual for small animal emergency and critical care" (2nd ed.) by C. L. Norkus (Ed.), published by Wiley.
• Students are also recommended to use the Merck Veterinary Manual for looking up unfamiliar terms.

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 assessments include:

• Assignment 1: Monitoring Equipment (5%)
• Quiz 1: Modules 1 & 2 (2%)
• Assignment 2: Code Blue! Mock CPR Video (15%)
• Quiz 2: Modules 3 & 4 (2%)
• Assignment 3: Critical Care Treatment Cases (10%)
• Assignment 4: Questions for Review (2.5%)
• Assignment 5: Crossmatch Procedure/Hematologic and Coagulation Tests (5%)
• Quiz 3: Modules 5 7 (6%)
• Assignment 6: Toxin Report (5%)
• Quiz 4: Modules 8 & 9 (3%)
• Quiz 5: Modules 9 & 10 (2%)
• Assignment 7: Questions for Review (2.5%)
• Mandatory Final Exam (40%)

Estimated Costs

The estimated costs for the course include tuition and course fees, required material fees, and shipping and handling fees. The exact costs depend on the delivery method, residency status, and shipping location. Students can calculate their estimated costs using the provided form.