Veterinary Technology

This course provides students with the required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. Topics may include but are not limited to medical care and basic clinical procedures in various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be able to understand the responsibilities of a veterinary technician and begin the development of fundamental skills. 

Credit Hours: 2 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course introduces students to the profession of veterinary technology/veterinary nursing. The course didactic material and required clinical skills are designed to introduce the student to veterinary hospital fundamentals. Topics may include but are not limited to professionalism, communication, general veterinary practice and procedures, The Alabama Veterinary Practice Act, ethics, jurisprudence medical terminology identification of animals; basic animal behavior; handling and restraint; care and nutrition. The course introduces students to the areas of small animal parasitology, diagnostic and surgical procedures, equine and farm animal nursing, sanitation and biosecurity, and client relations. Upon course completion, students should have a general understanding of the profession of veterinary technology/veterinary nursing and be able to demonstrate sound decision making, professionalism, and effectively assist veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with basic veterinary procedures in a clinical setting such as, collect samples, administer medications, perform fecal analysis, know different breeds of animals, and understand parasite life cycles, understand and adhere to OSHA regulations and safety procedures. 

Credit Hours: 5 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed specifically for students in the two-year veterinary technology program and covers the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology of animals. Topics include all body systems and laboratory dissection. Upon course completion, the student should be able to identify major tissues and organs, understand the physiology of organs and organ systems, and understand the physiological basis for the development of clinical laboratory testing. 

Credit Hours: 5 

Lecture: 4 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0

This course provides students with the required clinical skills to be completed in an approved clinical site in the areas of surgery and clinical medicine of various animal species. Required skills may include but are not limited to surgical and nursing care, and clinical medicine. Upon course completion, those skills learned from the previous semester should be reinforced and the student should have learned some new technical procedures. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed to teach the basic principles in emergency treatment of various animal species and incorporates actual management in a clinical environment. Topics may include but are not limited to emergency information, equipment and drugs, initial examination, evaluation and treatment, shock, cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies, fluid therapy, blood collection and transfusion, emergency treatment of specific conditions, poisonings, and large animal emergencies. Upon course completion, the student should be able to demonstrate sound decision making, triage, and administer first aid to animals needing immediate attention. 

Credit Hours: 5 

Lecture: 4 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course introduces students to common laboratory techniques and diagnostic methods. Students will begin developing laboratory skills with an emphasis in the areas of urology and hematology. Topics of study may include but are not limited to the basic laboratory, hematology, bone marrow and blood cytology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, function tests of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and thyroid, diagnostic cytology, and postmortem examinations. Required clinical skills will be completed in approved clinical sites. The study of medical vocabulary is continued. Upon course completion, the student should be able to understand the physiological basis used for diagnostic testing and perform the laboratory procedures outlined in the course material. 

Credit Hours: 4 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0  

Clinical/Practicum: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the importance and transmissibility of common animal diseases and with immunological principles involved in prophylaxis, treatment, and recovery. Topics of study may include but are not limited to: the aspects of the immune response that affect immunization and diagnosis; and familiarizing the student with the common infectious diseases and immunization schedules of domestic animals. Upon course completion, the student should be able to communicate with clients regarding preventable diseases and zoonotic implications and should also be able to assist with formulation of immunization schedules for various species of animals. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course provides students with the required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. Topics may include but are not limited to the surgical and nursing care, dentistry, and clinical medicine in various animal species. Upon course completion, those skills learned from the previous semester should be reinforced and the student should have learned new technical procedures. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed to give the student exposure to veterinary drugs and teach the importance of dosage calculations, proper administration, and the recognition of intended and adverse events and reactions in various animal species. Topics may include but are not limited to the introduction and principles of pharmacology; antimicrobials; disinfectants; drugs affecting the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems; anti-inflammatories; antiparasitics; euthanasia solutions; and pharmacy and inventory control. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly calculate drug dosages; fill, label, and dispense medications; recognize the various classifications of drugs; and have knowledge regarding the dangers and toxicosis of various medications. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course is designed to provide students with practical knowledge of common pathogens in various animal species. Students will learn how to select and collect samples and data for laboratory processing or submission to another laboratory. Topics may include but are not limited to the identification of causative agents of diseases; classification and nomenclature of bacteria; morphology and physiology of bacteria; bacteria and disease; laboratory procedures in bacteriology; gram positive and gram-negative bacteria; spiral and curved bacteria; actinomycetes organisms; fungi; virology; review of common parasites of various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly collect and handle bacteriological specimens, identify organisms by various staining procedures, and have a basic knowledge of parasite life cycles, as well as methods of identification of the commonly encountered parasites. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course provides students with the required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. Topics may include but are not limited to previous clinical course materials and introduction to more advanced skills in various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be proficient in those skills reinforced from previous semesters and new skills introduced. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed to review critical topics covered during the two years of the veterinary technology curriculum along with review questions and tests associated with these topics to prepare students for professional licensing exams and employment. Topics may include but are not limited to review in anatomy and physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology, surgical nursing, dentistry, laboratory procedures, animal care and nursing, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, emergency medicine and critical care, pain management/analgesia, and communication and veterinary professional support services. Students will also receive instruction on post-graduation skills necessary in the areas of personal and professional development for employment and career satisfaction. Upon course completion, the student should be prepared for the Veterinary Technician National Exam, securing gainful employment as a veterinary technician, and contributing to the elevation and advancement of the veterinary profession. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course provides an overview of the basic veterinary care of non-traditional household pets, avian and exotic animals, and the use of animals in laboratory settings for the purpose of research, teaching and/or demonstration. Course objectives include emphasis on the principles of responsible ownership and animal care and use for scientific purposes to include regulatory and welfare processes such as selection and procurement of animals; animal facilities and environment; safety and health considerations; legal regulations and guidelines; husbandry; basic veterinary care; handling and restraint; laboratory and diagnostic procedures; humane endpoints; and euthanasia. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

The veterinary technology preceptorship consists of one academic semester of work experience in an approved clinical site. A student evaluation report from the clinical supervisor will be necessary for the course completion and for meeting requirements for graduation. The clinical practice will include clinical instruction in all areas of veterinary practice as deemed necessary by the clinical supervisor and program requirements. Upon course completion, the student should be able to apply all procedures learned in the veterinary technology program to the practice environment. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 0 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 3 (5 contact hours:1 credit hour)  

This course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and practice skill set to safely and appropriately utilize anesthetic and analgesic agents in veterinary medicine. Course objectives may include but are not limited to anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in relation to anesthesia and the alleviation of pain; medical dosing calculations and administration of various anesthetic-related drugs; development and implementation of anesthetic, therapeutic and analgesic protocols to optimize patient care; the effects of agents in various animal species; the use of and maintenance of anesthetic equipment and supplies; patient and environmental safety; recordkeeping; and patient evaluation, assessment, monitoring, and management. 

Upon course completion, students should be able to safely and effectively anesthetize and provide pain management to various species of animals and demonstrate sound decision-making abilities in response to changes in equipment or patient status. 

Credit Hours: 2 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course provides introductory instruction to the use of various diagnostic imaging modalities in veterinary medicine. Topics may include but are not limited to safety and quality in producing diagnostic images; appropriate use and maintenance of imaging equipment; decision-making abilities and exercising of professional judgment; utilization of anatomy and physiology of various animal species as it relates diagnostically; techniques and positioning; and recordkeeping. 

Upon course completion, the student should be able to apply the care and knowledge necessary to position patients, produce good quality diagnostic images, and follow appropriate safety measures. 

Credit Hours: 2 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour)