Veterinary Technology Course Descriptions
VT 100
Introduction to Veterinary Technology
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Enrollment Limitation: Students must complete the pre-enrollment process.
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This is an orientation course which reviews the history, training and career opportunities pertaining to Registered Veterinary Technicians. Animal behavior, handling, training and restraint will be thoroughly presented and discussed in the lecture periods. Laboratories will provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with domestic, farm, laboratory and non-domestic animal species (when they are available). Students will be introduced to the medical terminology common to the animal health care field. Enrollment in this course limited to students admitted through the pre-enrollment process.
VT 110
Veterinary Office Practice
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CISC 302.
Enrollment Limitation: Student must complete pre-enrollment process.
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
A practice-oriented course that includes hospital and clinic management procedures, business and professional aspects of practice, ethical and legal considerations for the Registered Veterinary Technician and his/her employer. Students will be introduced to OSHA requirements and regulations as they pertain to veterinary hospitals. Assignments in medical terminology will be given. Enrollment in this course limited to students admitted through the pre-enrollment process.
VT 111
Anatomy-Physiology of Animals
4 Units
Prerequisite: BIOL 310 or 400, AND CHEM 305 or 307 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in VT 100 (may be taken previously)
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 72 hours LAB
This course is a study of the basic anatomy and physiology of common domestic animals, specifically dogs, cats, horses, swine and ruminants. The information will be organized according to body systems. Within each system, the variation between species will be explored. Whenever possible, topics will be related to pertinent veterinary situations. (Note: Laboratory periods will include dissection of cadavers) Students will also be required to spend 2-6hrs /week during assigned times in the care of the colony animals. Time may include weekends and holidays as well as semester break.
VT 113
Clinical Laboratory Techniques for Veterinary Technicians
4 Units
Prerequisite: VT 111 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 72 hours LAB
This course will cover the basic clinical laboratory skills needed by Registered Veterinary Technicians. Topics covered will include will be parasitology, cytology, urinalysis, microbiology, and hematology. Both normal and abnormal values for various species of animals will be covered. Students will gain additional hands-on experience as they learn to restrain animals for specimen collection procedures. Office procedures as they pertain to clinical laboratory work will be included: filing, recordkeeping, telephone reports, etc. Students will be required to spend 2-6hrs /week during assigned times in the care of the colony animals. Time may include weekends and holidays as well as semester break.
VT 120
Pharmacology and Anesthesiology for the Veterinary Technician
4 Units
Prerequisite: VT 111 and 113 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 72 hours LAB
This course will lay the foundation for the students' understanding of pharmacological agents. Drugs will be discussed according to classification, action, method of administration and dispensing (including procedures for scheduled drugs). Injectable and inhalation anesthetic agents will be discussed and demonstrated during surgical laboratory exercises. Students will have an opportunity to work with two types of inhalation anesthetic agents. All students will rotate through various surgical positions where they will enhance their knowledge of equipment and job tasks required of the surgical assistant and anesthesia monitor. Students will learn intravenous catheterization and fluid therapy. Students will be required to spend 2-6hrs /week during assigned times in the care of the colony animals. Time may include weekends and holidays as well as semester break. Students will also be assigned a dog and cat which will require an additional 140 min/wk for obedience training, socialization and grooming.
VT 122
Animal Disease: Pathology
3 Units
Prerequisite: VT 111 and 113 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite: BIOL 440 (may be taken previously)
Hours: 54 hours LEC
A course of study designed to acquaint the Veterinary Technician trainee with the many varied disease entities seen in the animal health field. While most of the diseases discussed will be those of the common small animals, some problems of exotic and laboratory animal species will also be investigated. There will be exposure to such areas of study as etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology and control of disease. Necropsy demonstrations will be provided as visual aids to the textbook study.
VT 123
Large Animal Disease: Pathology
3 Units
Prerequisite: VT 111 and 113 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite: BIOL 440 (may be taken previously)
Hours: 54 hours LEC
A course of study designed to acquaint the Veterinary Technician trainee with the many varied large animal disease entities seen in the animal health field. While most of the diseases discussed will be those of the common large domestic animals, some emerging and foreign animal diseases will be investigated with an emphasis on public health concerns. There will be exposure to such areas of study as etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology and control of disease. Course will cover mechanisms of protecting the nation's food supply through herd health disease prevention and control programs for zoonotic diseases.
VT 126
Dentistry for the Veterinary Technician
1.5 Units
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: VT 120.
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This course will prepare the student for all aspects of veterinary diagnostics and prophylaxis in dogs and cats appropriate to the veterinary technician. It will include instruction in dental charting, radiography, prophylaxis and extractions. Students will perform dental radiography and prophylaxis on anesthetized animals.
VT 130
Advanced Veterinary Technology
4 Units
Prerequisite: VT 120 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 72 hours LAB
This course includes instruction in advanced veterinary technology practices which includes, but is not limited to abnormal hematology, cytology, an introduction to bone marrow aspiration and evaluation, veterinary nutrition, emergency patient care, and advanced life support. There will be an emphasis placed upon advanced nursing techniques for companion animals, laboratory animals and non domestic species. Students will be required to spend two to six hours per week during assigned times in the care of the colony animals. Time may include weekends and holidays as well as semester break. Students will also be assigned a dog and cat which will require an additional 140 minutes per week for obedience training, socialization and grooming.
VT 131
Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging
3 Units
Prerequisite: VT 120 and 122 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course is designed to meet the needs of the Registered Veterinary Technician who will be working for veterinarians in private practice, animal research laboratories, private and state industrial or educational institutions. The course covers safety procedures, rules, regulations, x-ray production and theory as well as specific techniques associated with the use of x-ray equipment. It includes positioning techniques for various animal species as well as radiograph developing techniques and basic x-ray theory. Alternate imaging modalities are introduced and their use in veterinary medicine described. Emphasis is placed on the theory of diagnostic ultrasound and its use in veterinary medicine. A local field trip to a facility that offers the opportunity to perform large animal radiographic techniques may be required.
VT 134
Large Animal Nursing
1.5 Units
Prerequisite: VT 111 and 113 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
A course in restraint, behavior, anesthesia and nursing care of ruminant and equine animals, including hands-on experience with these species. Some routine medically-oriented management procedures, such as ruminant dehorning, will also be covered. In addition to lecture presentations, students will train at off-campus sites in procedures such as venipuncture, tail and leg wrapping, administration of injectable and oral medication and intravenous catheterization. The student will also receive instruction in the use of restraint equipment and techniques in the use of equipment for obstetrical examination, and in the administration of anesthesia.
VT 152
Introduction to Laboratory Animals and Caged Birds
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: VT 100 (may be taken previously)
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This course is designed to expand upon the brief introduction the veterinary technology student has had to caged birds and laboratory animals. The student will have more hands-on exposure to laboratory animals and caged birds (e.g. specimen collection, anesthesia, etc.) thereby increasing their understanding of laboratory animal care maintenance requirements. Greater emphasis will be placed on obtaining handling skills. This course will provide information and handling skills which will help the student prepare for AALAS certification.
VT 295
Independent Studies in Veterinary Technology
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
VT 298
Work Experience in Veterinary Technology
1-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III (b)
Hours: 300 hours LAB
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within their current job. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completion of required forms, which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the course of the semester, the student is required to fulfill an 18 hour orientation and 75 hours of related paid work experience, or 60 hours of unpaid work experience for one unit. An additional 75 or 60 hours of related work experience is required for each additional unit. The course may be taken again when there is new or expanded learning on the job for a maximum of 16 units.
VT 299
Experimental Offering in Veterinary Technology
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB