Academic Catalog

V T 55: SMALL ANIMAL NURSING I

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 41.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge and competency in entry level medical and surgical nursing tasks required of the first year Veterinary Technology student.
  • Understand and apply the importance of universal precautions and aseptic technique in a variety of common clinical situations.
  • Recognize and articulate the common hazards encountered in the veterinary workplace to include both personal risk and patient safety concerns.

Description

A foundational course intended to provide support skills and knowledge in the following topics: occupational health and safety, animal handling and restraint, administration of medication, venipuncture, and physical exams. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Discuss the state and federal laws that govern safety in the veterinary workplace and describe the requirements for Cal-OSHA compliance.
  2. Identify health and safety hazards in a veterinary clinic or biomedical institution and describe safe practices and universal precautions.
  3. Describe the classes of sterilants, disinfectants, and antiseptics, and explain their clinical application.
  4. Demonstrate safe and proper low-stress methods of animal handling and restraint.
  5. Demonstrate competence in preparing and administering medication.
  6. Perform basic steps in physical examination of dogs and cats.
  7. Perform venipuncture.

Course Content

  1. Laws governing health and safety in the workplace
    1. Federal laws
    2. State laws, Cal-OSHA
    3. Proper disposal of biohazardous sharps and medical waste
  2. Health and safety hazards in the veterinary workplace
    1. Chemicals
    2. Biohazardous materials
    3. Radiation safety
    4. Waste anesthetic gas and hazards of compressed gases
    5. Electrical equipment
    6. Animal bites
    7. Zoonotic diseases
    8. Ergonomics
    9. Universal precautions
    10. Health hazards
      1. Pregnancy of the student
  3. Classes of sterilants, disinfectants, and antiseptics
    1. Surface application
    2. How and where to use different chemicals
    3. MSDS
  4. Low-stress animal handling and restraint
    1. Proper lifting technique
    2. Canine restraint
    3. Feline restraint
  5. Preparation and administration of medications
    1. Documentation
    2. 5 rights
    3. Capsules, tablets, and liquids
    4. Syringes and needles
    5. Enteral routes of administration
      1. Per os
      2. Per rectum
    6. Parenteral routes of administration
      1. Subcutaneous
      2. Intramuscular
      3. Intravenous
      4. Intradermal
      5. Topical
  6. Physical examination of dogs and cats
    1. History
    2. TPR
    3. Systems approach
    4. Nose to tail approach
    5. Organ system
    6. Record keeping
  7. Venipuncture
    1. Cephalic
    2. Saphenous
    3. Jugular

Lab Content

Students will work with their instructors and classmates to practice and gain proficiency in pertinent essential skills required by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Classroom and laboratory with multimedia presentation and projection capabilities.
2. Laboratory with suitable small animal holding kennels, work tables, supply cabinets, and scrub sink.
3. Live animals, including, at minimum, dogs and cats.
4. Demonstration equipment and supplies, including animal models, stethoscopes, medication administration supplies, and venipuncture supplies.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Assessments
Written homework assignments may be assigned
Practical laboratory examinations

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Demonstration and practice of skills

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Bassert, Joanna M., and Dennis M. McCurnin. Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Technicians, 10th ed.. 2023.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Weekly reading assignments from text, class handouts, web resources, and outside sources, ranging from 50-100 pages per week.
  2. Written assignments, short answer essay questions.

Discipline(s)

Registered Veterinary Technician