12/27/2024 5:36:51 AM	VETT 120 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  VETT 120	Title:  SML ANIML VET ASSIST/NUR
Full Title:  Small Animal Veterinary Assistance and Nursing
Last Reviewed:11/9/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  ANHLT 120

Catalog Description:

Lecture and demonstration of small animal veterinary assistance and nursing procedures. Topics covered will include emergency veterinary care, intravenous catheter placement and maintenance, animal handling and restraint for veterinary procedures, preventive health care, nutrition, considerations for diseases and animal nursing, medication and fluid administration, euthanasia, and record keeping all in the context of a small animal veterinary clinic.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course completion of VETT 50

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 OR EMLS 100 (formerly ESL 100) or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Lecture and demonstration of small animal veterinary assistance and nursing procedures. Topics covered will include emergency veterinary care, intravenous catheter placement and maintenance, animal handling and restraint for veterinary procedures, preventive health care, nutrition, considerations for diseases and animal nursing, medication and fluid administration, euthanasia, and record keeping all in the context of a small animal veterinary clinic.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course completion of VETT 50
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 OR EMLS 100 (formerly ESL 100) or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe and demonstrate the proper handling and techniques for routine veterinary exams, emergency triage and common diagnostic procedures.

2. Describe and discuss routine preventative care including vaccinations, nutritionals support, and age-related medical needs.

3. Discuss and demonstrate the preparation and protocols for common hospitalized patient support procedures including recumbency care, intravenous catheterization, general emergency care, and euthanasia.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.   Employ proper techniques for restraint of small animals.

2.   Perform and describe the process of a basic physical exam including vital sign monitoring.

3.   Describe and evaluate proper technique for inserting IV catheters.

4.   Discuss proper preventative medicine protocols including vaccination.

5.   Describe proper procedures and advantages for common routes of medication administration

      including oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and topical medication administration.

6.   Discuss basic nutritional needs of domestic companion animals including during differing

      life stages, medical conditions, and for weight loss.

7.   Recognize and prepare for common life-threatening small animal medical emergencies.

8.   Apply proper medical records protocol in a clinical setting.

9.   Describe considerations when developing a fluid therapy plan and discuss the attributes of

      fluid products.

10. Demonstrate hydration assessment of canine and feline patients.

11. Discuss euthanasia including appropriate indications for euthanasia, assisting the veterinarian

      in the process.

12. Describe the normal grieving process, and assist clients with grieving.

13. Discuss and prepare for the needs of hospitalized and recumbent patients.

Topics and Scope

I. Medical Record Keeping

    A. Signalment and Medical History

    B. Subjective-Objective Assessment Plan (SOAP) format

    C. Laws and recording protocols

II. Patient Restraint

    A. Canine techniques

    B. Feline techniques

    C. Behavioral assessment and handling safety

    D. Muzzles and restraint equipment

    E. Restraint/directional terminology

III. Physical Examination

    A. Body systems-based examination

    B. Vital sign assessment including Auscultation

    C. Hydration assessment

    D. Handling to assist with examination or sample collection

IV. Preventative Medicine

    A. Preventable diseases

    B. Vaccination protocols

    C. Vaccination handling and administration

    D. Client education

V. Medication Administration

    A. Medication preparation

    B. Forms of medication

    C. Drug dosage calculations

    D. Subcutaneous administration

    E. Intramuscular administration

    F. Intravenous administration

VI. Fluid Therapy

    A. Patient fluid balance

    B. Routes of administration

    C. Fluid calculations

    D. Administration sets and pumps

    E. Patient hydration monitoring

VII. Intravenous catheters

    A. Relevant vascular anatomy

    B. Catheter insertion and securing technique

    C. Catheter monitoring and maintenance

VIII. Emergency Care

    A. Emergency Recognition

    B. Triage exam and prioritization

    C. Common emergency interventions

    D. First aid

    E. CardioPulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation

IX. Special Needs Patients

    A. Recumbency care

    B. Neonatal care

    C. Geriatric care

X. Nutrition

    A. Labels and manufacturer regulations

    B. Nutrients and common ingredients

    C. Nutritional needs based on life stage

    D. Nutritional needs based on disease status

XI. Euthanasia

    A. Quality of life assessment

    B. Recommended procedures and assisting the veterinarian

    C. Grief process and assisting the client

Assignments:

1. Reading in texts and handouts (20-40 pages/week)

2. Completing and evaluation of mock medical records and protocols.

3. Two calculation worksheets

4. Creation and evaluation of client education materials and hospital protocols

5. Observations in clinical settings

6. Participation: patient handling and restraint, physical examinations, vaccinations and

    medication administration, client communication and patient discussion

7. Midterm(s) (up to 2) and final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Medical protocols, client education handouts, clinical observation summaries, medical record completion
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 20%
Calculation worksheets, evaluating medical records and client handouts, critiquing medical protocols
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 50 - 60%
Midterm(s) and Final Exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Clinical observations, participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. 9th ed. Bassert, Joanna. Saunders. 2017

Print PDF