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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

VTEC 2143: Large Animal Care

In this course, students will further explore large animal medicine theory after they have attended and successfully completed VTEC 2345: Large Animal Care Lab. Students will develop a practical knowledge of large animal nutrition, breeding, herd management, and animal health. Emphasis is placed on global perceptions of animal consumption, prey animal care, ethics, and welfare.

Learning outcomes

  • Utilize safe handling of domestic large animals for veterinary procedures.
  • Demonstrate common large animal nursing procedures and recognize species differences.
  • Demonstrate husbandry techniques including the preparation of large animal feed items.
  • Monitor and measure large animal nutrition for effectiveness by utilizing tools such as body condition scoring.
  • Discuss issues pertaining to the welfare of all domestic large animals.
  • Demonstrate husbandry techniques including the preparation of large animal feed items.

Course topics

  • Module 1: Large Animal Restraint
  • Module 2: Nutrition and Feeding of Large Animals
  • Module 3: Genetics
  • Module 4: Bovine
  • Module 5: Equine
  • Module 6: Ovine
  • Module 7: Caprine and Camelids
  • Module 8: Porcine
  • Module 9: Poultry

Required text and materials

Students  require the following e-textbook, which can be purchased directly from the link at: https://tru-store.vitalsource.com/products/large-animal-medicine-and-nursing-for-veterinary-jennifer-serling-v9781774942109

  1. Serling, J. (2022). Large Animal Medicine and Nursing for Veterinary Technicians. (2nd ed.). Bluedoor. 
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781774942109 / 9781643863634

This textbook can be purchased in print format from Amazon.

Additional requirements

  • Computer with Internet access
  • Video recording device

Optional materials

  1. Merck. (2009). The Merck veterinary manual (9th ed.). Merck Publishing.
    Type. Textbook. ISBN: 978-0911910506

This text is also available online (a free version) at Merck Veterinary Manual. This text has many good sections on large animal management.

  1. Hanie, E. A. (2006). Large animal clinical procedures for veterinary technicians. Elsevier Mosby.
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 0-323-02855-1

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.

Quiz 1: Restraint 5%
Quiz 2: Nutrition 5%
Assignment 1: Bovine 12.5%
Assignment 2: Equine 12.5%
Quiz 3: Ovine, Caprine, and Camelids 5%
Quiz 4: Porcine 5%
Quiz 5: Poultry 5%
Assignment 3: Equine Fear Free Certification Program 10%
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.

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