Revised 3/2018

VET 216 - Animal Pharmacology (2 CR.)

Course Description

Studies drugs and other medical substances of veterinary importance. Includes their characteristics, usage, measurement, dosage, administration, and also pharmacy management. Lecture 2 hours. Total 2 hours per week

General Course Purpose

To acquaint the student with the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmacy management as applied in clinical veterinary practice.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: CHM 101 or equivalent. 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:

  • Identify the major classes of pharmaceuticals and describe their routine uses in veterinary practice
  • Explain therapeutic principles, routes of administration, contraindications and adverse reactions of major classes of drugs
  • Apply weight and measurements of metric and English systems and demonstrate conversion between the systems
  • Perform dosage calculations, prepare labels and dispense medications
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform pharmacy management, including inventory control, ordering of drugs and supplies, and storage and shelving of therapeutic agents
  • Identify all the applicable laws pertaining to controlled substances and the proper procedures for ordering, dispensing, administration, storage and record keeping of scheduled drugs
  • Explain and/or demonstrate administration of medication to clients and communicate to clients the important information concerning medication

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Major types and groups of drugs, their pharmaceutical properties and uses
  • Routes of administration of drugs - the metabolism and excretion from the body
  • Common adverse reactions, side effects and contraindications of various pharmaceuticals
  • Calculating dosages, preparation, labeling and dispensing of medications
  • Management of veterinary hospital pharmacy including ordering of drugs, inventory, storage and shelving procedures
  • Procedures for handling controlled substances
  • Communication with clients concerning administration and properties of pharmaceuticals

Additional Topics

  • The role of the FDA Veterinary Branch
  • The drug approval process