V T 75A: ANIMAL CARE SKILLS I
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Units: | 2 |
| Hours: | 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter) |
| Prerequisite: | V T 51. |
| Advisory: | Not open to students with credit in APAV 75A. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade Only |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Conscientiously and safely perform assigned routine husbandry duties for veterinary technology teaching animals.
- Work with senior student to make accurate entries into the animals' medical records and demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with other members of the animal care team and faculty.
- Discuss the human-animal bond and describe how it influences human behavior in various settings
- Compare stress free handling of domestic species to dominance theory
- Perform objective measurements in the physical examination of dogs and cats
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. Describe and perform standard operating procedures for animal care, approved by the Foothill College Veterinary Technology Program IACUC.
B. Describe and perform standard operating procedures for veterinary technology laboratory and facilities care.
C. Exhibit professionalism and perform responsibly in providing for the needs of the resident teaching animals by working with senior students.
D. Describe basic principles of dog and cat behavior.
E. Discuss low stress handling techniques for dogs and cats.
F. Apply the principles of Problem Oriented Veterinary Medical Record keeping to writing records and reading case studies at Foothill College.
G. Discuss the role of the technician in humane euthanasia.
Course Content
A. Animal care: standard operating procedures
1. Orientation to lab, animal care facility
2. Routine animal care and husbandry requirements
a. Foothill College IACUC
1) Rules and responsibilities
2) Animal Welfare Act
b. Dogs
c. Cats
d. Ruminants
B. Facility maintenance and care
1. Routine cleaning and sanitation
2. Maintenance of supplies
3. Record keeping
4. USDA regulations
5. Care and safe use of cleaning equipment
C. Daily veterinary care of the teaching animal colony
1. Performance of animal care according to standard practices
2. Medical record keeping
3. Medical communication with peers and supervisors
a. Doctor's orders
b. Giving "report" to supervisors
4. Working as a team to complete tasks
a. Taking personal responsibility for all assigned tasks
b. Scheduling
5. Professionalism
a. Definition
b. Review of the PLEASE CARE model for patient care
c. Working with other veterinary technology students
D. Basic principles of dog and cat behavior
1. Role of veterinary technician in animal behavior
2. Canine behavior and development
a. Canine sensory perception
b. Canine communication
3. Canine social structure
4. Canine behavior at different stages of development
a. Sensitive periods of development
5. Problem prevention
6. Common behavior problems in the dog
7. Feline behavior and development
a. Feline sensory perception
b. Feline communication
8. Feline social structure
9. Feline behavior at different stages of development
a. Sensitive periods of development
10. Problem prevention
11. Common feline behavior problems
E. Low stress handling techniques for dogs and cats
1. Human animal bond
2. Learning and behavior modification
3. Handling techniques in the veterinary clinic
F. Apply the principles of Problem Oriented Veterinary Medical Record keeping to writing records and reading case studies at Foothill College
1. History taking in small animal medicine
2. Priority pyramid
3. Subjective findings
4. Objective findings
5. Technician assessment
6. Veterinary diagnosis
7. Plan
a. Diagnostic
b. Therapeutic
c. Client education
G. Discuss the role of the technician in humane euthanasia
1. Stages of grief
2. Modes of euthanasia
3. Role of veterinary technician
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
B. Housing facilities.
C. Laboratory equipped with examination tables and diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and supplies as needed.
Method(s) of Evaluation
The student will demonstrate proficiency by some or all of the following:
A. Perform assigned routine husbandry duties for veterinary technology teaching animals, evaluated by peer reviews, instructor observation of performance and review of medical record keeping
B. Written assignments and essays
C. Tests
D. Collaborative projects
E. Case studies
Method(s) of Instruction
A. Discussions
B. Field work
C. Demonstrations
D. Collaborative work
E. Canvas is used for homework and communication purposes
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Bassert, Joanna M., Angela Beal, and Oreta Samples. Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Technicians. 9th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., 2018.
Rockett, Lattanzio, and Christensen. The Veterinary Technician's Guide to Writing SOAPS. Rockett House Publishing, 2013.
Although one (or more) of the above texts is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Weekly reading assignments from text, class handouts, and on Canvas
B. Medical record keeping for program teaching animals
C. Projects and assignments pertaining to case studies
D. Midterm and final examinations
E. Animal care is a key part of this course, and students are expected to work independently and cooperatively with other students in providing care for program animals