Large Animal Clinics Theory

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
VTEC 2407
Descriptive
Large Animal Clinics Theory
Department
Veterinary Technology
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
2.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 2 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

Learning activities may include online video lectures, written assignments, discussion board, classroom activities such as case studies, student presentations and group work.

Course description
This course covers the restraint, physical examination, husbandry, medical and surgical procedures and general healthcare of horses, ruminants and other farm animal species.
Course content

Breed recognition:

  • horses
  • ruminants

Restraint:

  • movement of herds and flocks
  • methods of restraint
  • ropes and knots
  • restraint devices and methods

Physical examination:

  • vital signs
  • cardiorespiratory and abdominal auscultation
  • dental assessment 
  • lameness assessment 

Procedures:

  • grooming techniques including hoof care
  • bandaging 
  • permanent identification 
  • oral and injectable medication administration
  • venipuncture
  • record keeping

Anesthesic techniques:

  • sedation and general anesthesia
  • analgesia
  • local and regional blocks

Herd health:

  • housing
  • biosecurity
  • vaccination and deworming protocols 
  • prevention strategies for common conditions

Nutrition:

  • equine nutrition
  • nutritional requirements for dairy and beef cattle, with emphasis on feeding for different types of production
  • feeding recommendations for pigs, poultry, sheep and goats
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • recognize common breeds of horses and ruminants;
  • describe the safe handling, restraint and physical examination of horses and ruminants;
  • discuss husbandry principles required to optimise the health and welfare of horses and ruminants;
  • describe permanent identification methods used in horses and ruminants;
  • complete medical records following examination of horses and/or ruminants;
  • describe common methods of medication administration and venipuncture in horses and ruminants;
  • discuss wound care and bandaging techniques used in horses;
  • discuss appropriate analgesia and common anesthetic techniques used in horses and ruminants;
  • discuss programs to promote health in horses and food animals;
  • discuss the nutritional needs of horses and feeding methods used in equine nutrition;
  • assess forages and grains for type and quality;
  • discuss and compare the basic nutritional needs and feeding methods of dairy and beef cattle;
  • discuss the nutritional needs of, and feeding methods for, pigs, poultry, sheep and goats.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.

Evaluation will be based on:

Assignments: 20-50% (no assignment worth more than 25%)

Quizzes: 0-20% (no quiz worth more than 10%)

Term test(s): 10-20%

Final exam: 30-40%

Total: 100%

Textbook materials

Consult the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Required textbooks and materials may include:

  • JM Bassert, AD Beal, OM Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.
Prerequisites

VTEC 1313 and VTEC 2411 and VTEC 2405

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies