VTEC 1713: Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technologists
AVAILABLE IN CANADA ONLY FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA OPEN LEARNING PROGRAM
Veterinary Technology students develop a practical understanding of the principles and techniques involving small companion animals; emphasizing technical procedures and nursing care. Students focus on the day-to-day procedures performed by a Registered Veterinary Technologist in a veterinary clinic.
Learning outcomes
- Collect blood from companion animals utilizing a variety of vessels depending on the species.
- Identify routes of medications using enteral, parenteral and topical routes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of pedicures, grooming, bathing in companion animals.
- Discuss requirements during parturition and pediatrics patients and care. Identify and discuss the management and treatment of vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia.
- Describe the appropriate ways to administer an enema safely and effectively to a companion animal and provide basic nursing care for anal sacs.
- Utilize and demonstrate bandaging, splinting and casting of limbs for companion animals.
- Utilize nutritional selection for companion animals using basic principles of nutrition, including calculations for daily rations based on energy requirements.
- Demonstrate knowledge of physical examinations for domestic species.
Course topics
Module 1: Physical Examination
Module 2: Administration of Medications/Fluids, Enteral, and Parenteral
Module 3: Venipuncture
Module 4: Nutrition Basics
Module 5: Feeding Companion Animals
Module 6: Vomiting/Diarrhea/Anorexia
Module 7: Prenatal Care, Parturition and Pediatrics
Module 8: Wounds
Module 9: Bandaging, Splints, and Casts
Module 10: Skin Disease Management, Bathing, Grooming, and Pedicures
Module 11: Anal Sacs and Enemas
Required text and materials
The following materials are required for this course:
- Boyle, J. (2016). Crow and Walshaw’s manual of clinical procedures in dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Type: Textbook: ISBN: 978-1-118-98570-0
The following textbook would have been purchased in VTEC 1101. Students who did not take VTEC 1101 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. To do so, please contact Enrolment Services at student@tru.ca or 1.800.663.9711 (toll-free in Canada), 250.852.7000 (Kamloops, BC), and 1.250.852.7000 (International).
- Bassert, J. M. (2018). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (10th ed.). Elsevier.
Type: Textbook: ISBN: 9780323722001
Additional requirements
A video recording device
Optional materials
It is strongly recommended that students have access to one of the following editions (or earlier) of a veterinary dictionary. The recommended veterinary dictionaries are:
- Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (2020). Saunders comprehensive veterinary dictionary (5th ed.). Elselvier.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7020-7463-9 (This textbook is also available as an e-text.)
- Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (Eds.). (2016). The Merck veterinary manual (11th ed.). Merck & Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0911910612 (This textbook is available online at: Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual)
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
The following table illustrates how your final grade will be determined for this course.
| Quiz 1: Physical Examination | 2% |
| Assignment 1: Physical Examinations | 5% |
| Quiz 2: Enteral, Parental, and Topical Medications | 2% |
| Assignment 2: Enteral and Topical Medications | 2% |
| Assignment 3: Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections – Part 1 | 2% |
| Assignment 3: Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections – Part 2 and 3 | 8% |
| Assignment 4: IV Blood Collection – Part 1 | 2.5% |
| Assignment 4: IV Blood Collection – Part 2 and 3 | 7.5% |
| Quiz 3: Nutrition | 2% |
| Assignment 5: BCS Calculation and Diet Research | 3% |
| Quiz 4: Nutrition Review | 2% |
| Assignment 6: Nutritional Consults | 5% |
| Assignment 7: Prenatal Care, Parturition, and Pediatrics | 3% |
| Quiz 5: Bandaging, Splints, and Casts | 2% |
| Assignment 8: Bandages and Splinting | 5% |
| Quiz 6: Anal Sacs, Enemas, and Bathing | 2% |
| Assignment 9: Bathing, Expressing Anal Glands, and Nail Trimming | 5% |
| Final Exam (mandatory) | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
