Academic Catalog

V T 66: EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2023
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: V T 54B.
Advisory: One of the following: ENGL 1A or 1AH or ESLL 26 or equivalent.
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 a basic knowledge and understanding of the husbandry, medical care, routine clinical procedures of rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, small rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles.
  • Correctly identify the identifying characteristics and breeds of rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, small rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles.

Description

Basic understanding of the care, husbandry, clinical procedures, and medical concerns of rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, small rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles. Emphasis on clinically relevant materials and activities. 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:
A. Understand and explain the husbandry needs of the exotic species.
B. Understand and demonstrate the proper handling and restraint techniques for these species.
C. Understand the basic medical concerns (diseases and disorders) of the exotic species.
D. Understand and demonstrate the proper grooming, sample collection techniques and nursing care for the exotic species.
E. Understand behavior for these exotic species.

Course Content

A. Understand and explain the husbandry needs of the exotic species.
1. Psittacines and passerines
2. Reptiles
3. Chelonians
4. Mammals
B. Understand and demonstrate the proper handling and restraint techniques for these species.
1. Psittacines and passerines
2. Reptiles
3. Chelonians
4. Mammals
C. Understand the basic medical concerns (diseases and disorders) of the exotic species.
1. Psittacines and passerines
2. Reptiles
3. Chelonians
4. Mammals
D. Understand and demonstrate the proper grooming, sample collection techniques and nursing care for the exotic species.
1. Psittacines and passerines
2. Reptiles
3. Chelonians
4. Mammals
E. Understand behavior for these exotic species.
1. Psittacines and passerines
2. Reptiles
3. Chelonians
4. Mammals

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. Lecture room and laboratory with high-quality overhead projector, instructor's computer with internet access, video microscope, visualizer, microscopes, cytologic microscope slides, anatomy and physiology models, appropriate medical equipment (needles, syringes, blood collection tubes, swabs, radiographic equipment), nail trimmers, dremmel, quick stop, various size towels.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Methods of evaluation may include but are not limited to:
A. Written midterm exam
B. Written final exam
C. Practical exams
D. Written term paper on proper husbandry, cage set up and temperature for assigned animals
E. Written short answer essay questions

Method(s) of Instruction

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

A. Lecture
B. Discussion
C. Demonstration
D. Guest speakers
E. Interaction with live animals

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Ballard, Bonnie, and Ryan Cheek. Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician. Iowa: Blackwell Publishers, 2010.
Although this textbook is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains seminal in this area of study.
 

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

A. Weekly reading assignments in the text and supplemental materials/articles.
B. Research into proper husbandry for each species group covered.
C. Research into proper nutritional needs for various species.
D. Preparation of a client education document for select species.
 

Discipline(s)

Registered Veterinary Technician