The student will be introduced to the role and function of animal health assistants and veterinary technicians and selected aspects of the veterinary profession. The course includes basic animal care, handling, sanitation and disease principles. The fundamentals of medical terminology are covered with emphasis on prefixes, suffixes and root words and the meaning of the most commonly used words in medical areas as they apply to the technician in daily practice. This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of nutrition. Emphasis is on name, location, and function of structures.
Species discussed include canine, feline, porcine, bovine, and equine.
Laboratory experiences provide opportunity to locate and study structures on a comparative basis. The course provides rational scientific explanations of the current principles underlying veterinary clinical use of medications. Emphasis is on the study of drug actions in the body, routes of administration, measurement, proper handling, dispensing, and storing. This course introduces handling, restraint, sexing and uses of common laboratory animal species. Methods of husbandry and management to control or prevent common disease species in each of the species is considered.