10/31/2024 7:20:22 AM	VETT 128 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  VETT 128	Title:  EXOTIC ANIMAL MEDICINE
Full Title:  Exotic Animal Medicine
Last Reviewed:4/27/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	2.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	2.00	Lab Scheduled	0		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	2.00			Contact Total	35.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 105.00

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 128

Catalog Description:

This class will provide an overview of veterinary medical care for non-standard species with a focus on the veterinary technician's role.  Students will learn about the husbandry, handling, sample collection, treatment, and most common conditions of each species group. Species covered will include those most commonly presented to veterinary hospitals for care in our area (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc.), as well as select free ranging and captive wildlife species.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course completion or current enrollment in VETT 50

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

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This class will provide an overview of veterinary medical care for non-standard species with a focus on the veterinary technician's role.  Students will learn about the husbandry, handling, sample collection, treatment, and most common conditions of each species group. Species covered will include those most commonly presented to veterinary hospitals for care in our area (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc.), as well as select free ranging and captive wildlife species.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course completion or current enrollment in 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: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

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

1. Describe handling, sample collection, treatment and most common medical conditions of typical exotic companion animal species. 

2. Evaluate the husbandry and patient history of companion exotic animal species. 

 

 

Objectives:

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

1. Identify common exotic animals including species and gender identification.

2. Evaluate the husbandry and patient history of exotic companion exotic animal patients.

3. Identify and prepare the materials needed for medical evaluation and treatment of companion exotic animal

    species. 

4. Describe the techniques for safe patient restraint, sample collection including venipuncture, common

    diagnostics performed, and medication administration of common exotic animal species.  

5. Discuss the medical care of wildlife including both free ranging (rehabilitation center) and captive (zoo)

    settings.

Topics and Scope

For each of the following species the course content will include identification, husbandry, patient handling, physical examination, sample collection, treatment including medication administration, common medical conditions, and zoonotic concerns. 

 

I. Companion Exotic Animal Species

    A. Mammalian species

          1. Rabbits

          2. Guinea pigs

          3. Mice and rats

          4. Ferrets

          5. Other species

    B. Avian species

          1. Psitticines (parrots) 

          2. Pet poultry

          3. Other species

    C. Reptiles

          1. Lizards including bearded dragons

          2. Snakes

          3. Chelonians (turtles and tortoises)

          4. Other species

II. Wildlife Species

    A. Captive wildlife including large felids

    B. Common native mammals including raccoons and opossums

    C. Common native avian species including raptors

    D. Additional species at the discretion of the instructor

Assignments:

1. Reading from text, instructor handouts or assigned online resources (15-30 per class session)

2. Creation of care sheets or other client handouts relating to exotic animal patient care (3-6)

3. Participation in live animal or mock activities regarding patient evaluation and treatment

4. Quizzes (2-6) and exam (1)

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 - 30%
Creation of care sheets or other client handouts
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 40%
Participation in live animal or mock activities
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 40 - 60%
Quizzes and exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician. 3rd ed. Ballard, Bonnie and Cheek, Ryan. 2016

Laboratory Animal and Exotic Pet Medicine Principles and Procedures. 2nd ed. Sirois, Margi. 2015 (classic)

Current Therapy in Exotic Pet Practice. Mitchell, Mark and Tully, Thomas. 2016

Instructor prepared materials

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