Revised 3/2018

VET 121 - Clinical Practices I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Presents advanced clinical techniques commonly performed in veterinary practice. Part I of II. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To introduce the student to many of the aspects of veterinary surgical and medical nursing, and animal diagnostics.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Enrollment is limited to those students program-placed in the veterinary technology curriculum or those students with special approval from the program head.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

  • Utilize aseptic techniques in the operating room as a circulating assistant
  • Utilize aseptic techniques in the operating room as a surgical assistant
  • Prepare and position patients for surgical procedures
  • Identify surgical instruments
  • Describe the procedures for cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments
  • Prepare sterile surgical packs
  • Prepare and use caps, masks, gowns, gloves, and drapes
  • Maintain and use surgical suite equipment
  • Identify common suture materials, types, and usage
  • Remove sutures and drains
  • Explain common surgical procedures in small and large animals
  • Perform venipuncture
  • Perform intravenous injection techniques
  • Place an intravenous catheter
  • Explain intravenous catheter care
  • Administer fluid therapy
  • Describe patient triage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques
  • Identify urgent care monitoring equipment
  • Calculate parenteral fluid requirements and needs
  • Describe and evaluate the stages of wound healing
  • Apply bandages
  • Perform an animal physical assessment
  • Evaluate patient needs for nursing care
  • Design a nursing care plan for a clinical scenario
  • Describe techniques of urine collection
  • Identify common urinary catheters
  • Explain care of indwelling urinary catheters
  • Perform basic fecal flotation techniques
  • Identify common intestinal parasites on fecal flotation

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Aseptic techniques
  • Preparation of surgical sites
  • Care of surgical instruments
  • Preparation of sterile surgical packs
  • Preparation and use of gowns, masks, gloves, and drapes
  • Steam, gas and cold sterilization of instruments and supplies
  • Instrument identification and use
  • Operation and maintenance of autoclaves
  • Operating room sanitation and care
  • Common suture materials, types, identification, and usage
  • Patient positioning and patient preparation for surgical procedures
  • Lighting of the operating room and surgical site
  • Maintenance and use of operating room equipment
  • Theory of surgical assistance
  • Common surgical procedures in large and small animals
  • Injection techniques
  • IV catheter placement, IV care and fluid therapy
  • Wound care and bandaging techniques
  • Care of the recumbent patient
  • Concepts of physical therapy
  • Veterinary Technician practice model
  • Patient assessment techniques
  • Veterinary nursing care plans of hospitalized patients
  • Techniques of urine collection
  • Urinary catheterization techniques
  • Care of indwelling urinary catheters
  • Basic fecal flotation technique and common intestinal parasite identification