Course Number and Title:
VET 240 Food Animal & Equine Nursing
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: VET140 and VET200
Course Credits and Hours
3 credit(s)
2 lecture hours/week
2 lab hours/week
Course Description
This course emphasizes medical, anesthetic, and surgical nursing techniques for food animals and equines. Key topics include drug administration, anesthesia and fluid therapy, surgical preparation, patient monitoring, and wound management. Clinical rotations provide hands-on opportunities to practice techniques required in large animal veterinary practice, including diagnostic specimen collection, patient care, and basic radiography.
Additional Materials
Stethoscope, watch with second hand and paddock boots or other protective shoes
Disclaimer
The student must have completed required rabies pre-exposure vaccination series or document proof of protective titer before taking this course. The cost of the series is the responsibility of the student and may not be covered by insurance. Students will be working with live animals. Students are required to travel to the Georgetown and Stanton campuses and off-campus clinical facilities.
Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)
- Use written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic methods to communicate in a professional and effective manner. (CCC4; PGC:4)
- Perform patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species. (CCC 1,2,3,4,6; PGC1,2,3)
- Demonstrate husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques appropriate to various animal species. (CCC 1,2,3,4,6; PGC 1,2,3)
- Produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images safely and effectively. (CCC 1,2,3,4,6; PGC 1,2,3)
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment. (CCC 1,5; PGC 1)
- Perform analysis of laboratory specimens. (CCC 1,2; PGC 1)
See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.
Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
- Use written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic methods to communicate in a professional and effective manner.
- Use appropriate interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate within a team-based healthcare team.
- Recognize the legality of the veterinary-client-patient relationship
- Perform patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species.
- Recognize common domestic animal species and breeds
- Describe and use common animal identification methods.
- Recognize and assess body language and behaviors (including pain assessment scales) for various animal species.
- Demonstrate effective and appropriate humane restraint techniques to include efforts to reduce stress during handling for various animal species.
- Obtain patient data of large animals.
- Collect diagnostic specimens for analysis of large animals.
- Demonstrate husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques appropriate to various animal species.
- Apply equine tail and leg wraps.
- Implement sanitation procedures for animal holding and housing areas.
- Explain permanent identification.
- Explain breeding/reproduction techniques.
- Explain nursing care of newborns.
- Describe life stage energy and nutrient requirements of well animals.
- Explain key nutritional factors in disease conditions, including therapeutic foods.
- Administer parenteral and enteral medications.
- Produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images safely and effectively.
- Demonstrate proper live animal positioning to produce diagnostic radiographic images for large animals.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for a cesarean section.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for orthopedic procedures.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for orchiectomy procedures.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for tail docking.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for laparotomies.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for dystocias.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for dehorning.
- Explain routine surgical procedures and related equipment for prolapsed organs.
- Perform analysis of laboratory specimens.
- Explain parasitologic procedures to identify external parasites.
- Identify common parasitic forms.
- Perform microbiologic procedures/evaluations.
Evaluation Criteria/Policies
The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:
| 90-100 |
= |
A |
| 80-89 |
= |
B |
| 70-79 |
= |
C |
| 0-69 |
= |
F |
Students should refer to the
Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.
Final Course Grade
Calculated using the following weighted average
Evaluation Measure | %of final grade |
Exams (Summative) | 50% |
Quizzes (Formative) | 30% |
Assignments (Formative) | 20% |
Clinical Skills Assessments | PASS/FAIL |
TOTAL | 100% |
Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)
Interpret theoretical veterinary technology knowledge and concepts to provide competent veterinary nursing procedures.
Demonstrate competence in essential veterinary technology skills by performing a full range of veterinary nursing procedures used in small and large animal medicine.
Exhibit professionalism by adhering to the Veterinary Technology Code of Ethics and employer expectations, while maintaining a commitment to ethical vet procedures.
Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability
We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.