Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Veterinary Assistant II

 Title Abbreviation:   VETERINARY ASSISTANT II

 Department:    VETA

 Course #:    122

 Credits:    10

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    12

 CIP:    510808

 EPC:    115

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

Overview of veterinary-related medical terminology as it relates to the anatomical topography and function of the basic cell structure of animals, including an overview of skeletal anatomy and physiology. Introduction to all the major animal body systems including the integument and muscular systems, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, the hemolymphatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, reproductive, urinary and nervous systems. Includes an introduction to pharmacology, anesthesiology, surgical patient management, including pre-operative techniques, aseptic technique, resuscitation, and physical examination including veterinary clinical procedures related to parasitology, hematology, urinalysis, and diagnostic imaging. Introduction to the handling and care of horses and applying principles learned about equine health care. Students will complete a 7-hour HIV-AIDS certification.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: VETA 121 with a "C" or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 66

Lab: 88

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Understand and define terms of anatomical topography and nursing records/medical history/charting terminology and pharmaceuticals/medications terminology and solve problems using the metric system conversion and medical math review.
  2. Understand emergency and surgical terms and procedures, medical procedures terminology and patient description terms; and understand and define terms of cellular biology, and describe and identify body organization, and skeletal anatomy and physiology.
  3. Describe the structure and function of each major body system, i.e. integumentary and muscular systems, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hemolymphatic system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, urinary system, and nervous system.
  4. Dissect a fetal pig.
  5. Learn and use the techniques for giving a basic physical exam and prepare a medical record.
  6. Understand AIDS prevention theory and receive certification for same, and locate and understand local, state & federal safety and environmental regulations.
  7. Describe clinical procedures commonly used in veterinary hospitals, and safely handle, process, and store veterinary samples, including blood, urine and feces using OSHA approved standards.
  8. Identify laboratory equipment and supplies used to process feces, blood, urine, and radiographs and define parasitology and explain its importance in veterinary diagnostics:
    • Define terminology related to veterinary parasitology and describe the two basic lifecycles of parasites; and
    • Classify parasites and identify common internal and external parasites and use a microscope to identify intestinal parasite ova; and
    • Describe zoonotic veterinary parasites, and de-worming schedules for dogs, cats and horses, and identify common veterinary anthelmintics.
  9. Discuss the history of animal training, Interpret normal canine, feline, equine, and avian behavior, and recognize signs of stress, fear, and pain in animals.
  10. Describe the importance of environmental enrichment for companion, farm, laboratory and zoo animal, and compare and contrast training methods for selected species.
  11. Define operant conditioning and apply its principles to animal training, and describe the stages of development for dogs, cats, and horses.
  12. Select and use training equipment and supplies, describe appropriate correction methods for selected species and socialization methods for young animals.
  13. Describe and demonstrate crate-training methods for dogs; describe elimination-training methods for dogs and cats; and describe common behavioral problems in selected species, and identify careers in the animal behavior field.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Terms of anatomical topography and nursing records/medical history/charting terminology and pharmaceuticals/medications terminology and problems using the metric system conversion and medical math review.
  2. Emergency and surgical terms and procedures, medical procedures terminology and patient description terms; terms of cellular biology, and body organization, skeletal anatomy and physiology.
  3. Structure and function of each major body system, i.e. integumentary and muscular systems, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hemolymphatic system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, urinary system, and nervous system.
  4. AIDS prevention theory and receive certification for same, and locate and understand local, state & federal safety and environmental regulations.
  5. Clinical procedures commonly used in veterinary hospitals, and safely handle, process, and store veterinary samples, including blood, urine and feces using OSHA approved standards.
  6. Laboratory equipment and supplies used to process feces, blood, urine, and radiographs and define parasitology and explain its importance in veterinary diagnostics:
    • Terminology related to veterinary parasitology and describe the two basic lifecycles of parasites.
    • Parasites and common internal and external parasites and intestinal parasite ova.
    • Zoonotic veterinary parasites, and de-worming schedules for dogs, cats and horses, and common veterinary anthelmintics.
  7. History of animal training, normal canine, feline, equine, and avian behavior, and signs of stress, fear, and pain in animals.
  8. Environmental enrichment for companion, farm, laboratory and zoo animal, and compare and contrast training methods for selected species.
  9. Operant conditioning and apply its principles to animal training, and describe the stages of development for dogs, cats, and horses.
  10. Training equipment and supplies, describe appropriate correction methods for selected species and socialization methods for young animals.
  11. Crate-training methods for dogs; elimination-training methods for dogs and cats; common behavioral problems in selected species, and careers in the animal behavior field.