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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify common bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal diseases that affect small companion
animals.
2. Discuss common diagnostic tests and how they are used to detect infectious disease.
3. Explain routes of disease transmission and means to prevent spread of disease.
4. Identify common types of pathogenic organisms and explain the differences between these
organisms.
5. Define control methods of common bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal diseases.
6. Identify potential zoonotic disease situations and means to prevent the spread of disease
between animals and people.
7. Evaluate different disinfectants and sanitation procedures for effectiveness.
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I. Zoonotic Diseases
A. Common causative agents
B. Clinical Signs
C. Transmission
D. Prevention and disinfection
II. Common Diseases by Organ System
A. Alimentary
1. Including pancreatitis and hepatic lipidosis
2. Causes and differentiation of emesis, regurgitation, retching and dysphagia
B. Aural: Including fungal, bacterial and mite otitis
C. Cardiovascular: Including mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy
D. Integumentary: Including alopecia, allergic dermatitis, ringworm, and dermal neoplasias
E. Endocrine: Including thyroid disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Cushings and Addisons
F. Hematopoietic: Including Lymphoma and anemias
G. Musculoskeletal: Including cruciate disease and lactating patellas
H. Nervous: Including seizures and intervertebral disk disease
I. Reproductive
J. Respiratory
K. Urinary: Including Chronic Renal Failure and Cystitis
III. Veterinary Bacteriology
A. Common disease causing bacteria: Including Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease
B. Microbiology and diagnostics
C. Clinical Signs
D. Treatment and Prevention
IV. Veterinary Virology
A. Common disease causing viruses
1. Parvovirus, Distemper, Parainfluenza, Canine Influenza
2. Calicivirus, Rhinotracheitis, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus,
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
B. Microbiology and diagnostics
C. Clinical Signs
D. Treatment and Prevention
V. Veterinary Parasitology
A. Common Endoparasites: Including heart worm disease, protozoal disease and enteric
helminths
B. Common Ectoparasites: Including fleas, ticks and mites
C. Clinical signs
D. Diagnosis
E. Treatment and control
VI. Other Veterinary Pathogens
A. Common fungal disease
B. Common prion disease
VII. Veterinary Toxicology
A. Common toxins
B. Decontamination protocols
C. Clinical Signs and Treatment
VIII. Vaccination
A. Basic Immune System Function
B. Vaccine technologies
C. Vaccine administration
D. Typical vaccine protocols
IX. Sanitation Evaluation
A. Chemical options
B. Appropriate choice
C. Disposal of materials
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1. Reading in texts and handouts (approx 30 pages per week)
2. Reading, summarizing, and answering questions regarding case studies or veterinary research
papers
3. In-class activities including mock disease outbreaks, disease characteristic recognition, and
mock patient assessment
4. Presentations on specific veterinary diseases
5. Term project regarding zoonotic disease
6. Quizzes (up to every week), midterm(s) (1 or 2), final examination
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McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. 9th ed. Bassert, Joanna and Beal, Angela and Samples, Oreta. Saunders. 2017
Common Diseases of Companion Animals. 4th ed. Summers, Alleice. Mosby. 2019
Merck Veterinary Manual. 11th ed. Aiello, Susan and Moses, Michael. Merck. 2016