Course description
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.
Course content
Intravenous catheterization:
- types of IV catheters, placement and nursing care
Urinary collection:
- methods of urine collection
- types of urinary catheters
- catheterization of male and female dogs and male cats
- nursing care of indwelling urinary catheters
Intravenous fluid therapy:
- IV fluids including colloids and crystalloids
- fluid therapy calculations
- physiology of fluid compartmentalization
- dehydration and shock (various types)
Emergency Medicine:
- triage and assessment of the emergency patient
- basics of CPR, emergency care and contents of the crash cart
- common toxins, effects and treatment
Wound Management:
- phases and types of healing
- wound contamination and infection
- first aid, assessment and management of wounds
- bandages (including splints) and home care
Anesthesia:
- anesthesia safety
- planes of anesthesia
- anesthetic monitoring and record keeping
- monitoring equipment including pulse oximeter, direct and indirect blood pressure, capnograph, ECG
Radiography suite:
- personal protective equipment and dosimeters
- radiography equipment and dark room
Pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds:
- handling and restraint
- breed and species recognition
Learning activities
This course includes a one-week practicum at a suitable external veterinary clinic. A suitable veterinary clinic must employ a full-time RVT (registered veterinary techinician). The student is responsible for initiating contact and obtaining permission for practicum at a clinic of their choice.
Instructional activities may include open book online quizzes, in class presentations, pre-lab videos and video evaluations, in-person instructor evaluations, workshop and live animal labs as well as off-campus experiential learning opportunities.
Means of assessment
Evaluations will be carried out in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of 60% is required in both lecture and lab components, in order to obtain a C grade in this course. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Assignments 15-40%
Quizzes & term tests 10-30%
Practical Evaluations 15-40%
Final Lecture Exam 10-30%
Final Lab Exam 10-20%
Total 100%
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- calculate and apply intravenous and subcutaneous fluid therapy plans for hospitalized patients;
- place an intravenous catheter in a peripheral vein and discuss nursing care required for them;
- collect urine specimens from dogs and cats using appropriate methods;
- place urinary catheters and discuss the nursing care required for them;
- perform basic assessment of the emergency patient, provision of CPR and treatment of common toxins;
- apply appropriate wound care and perform basic bandaging techniques for dogs and cats;
- discuss the basics of anesthesia including safety, anesthetic monitoring and blood pressure measurement;
- identify differences in handling and restraint of pocket pets, rabbits, reptiles and birds;
- list the health and safety precautions required for working in the radiography suite and describe equipment used to take radiographs.
Textbook materials
Consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- McCurnin. (Current Edition). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. JM Bassert, AD Beal and OM Samples: Pub Elsevier.