Veterinary Technology
VAST 105 VETERINARY ASSISTING
Spring, 1 credit hour
This course provides students with an understanding of the roles of all members of the veterinary health care team and the knowledge and skills necessary to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the practice of their professions. It instructs students in proper basic care and husbandry of animals as well as the monitoring of general animal health indicators. It emphasizes the proper handling and restraint of animals for examinations and medical procedures. Care of veterinary supplies, equipment and facilities will also be covered, with an emphasis on meticulous disinfection, sterilization and infection control measures. Students are required to participate in kennel duty as part of this course. Three hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: enrollment in the Health Science Career Studies Certificate and successful completion of Medical Terminology of Disease (HLTH 200) or permission of instructor.
VSAD 301 VETERINARY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Spring, 3 credit hours
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with current information in veterinary practice management. Students apply concepts, principles and skills they have learned in previous coursework to situations specific to veterinary practice management. Topics include: veterinary hospital human resource management, management of reception and front desk procedures, telecommunications and information technology management in veterinary practice, veterinary hospital revenue and financial control, management of veterinary medical records, veterinary inventory control, veterinary facilities management, and marketing a veterinary practice. It is strongly recommended that students take ACCT 101, Foundations of Financial Accounting and BSAD 310, Human Resource Management prior to taking this course.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in or completion of a degree in a Veterinary or Business related program and at least 45 credits earned overall, or permission of instructor.
VSAD 302 ANIMAL CARE INSTITUTION MANAGEMENT
Fall, 3 credit hours
This course instructs students in veterinary hospital design; veterinary equipment acquisition, training, maintenance, and replacement; insurance for veterinary facilities; and programs and services administered by veterinary technicians. The course also addresses the management of specific types of animal care facilities and institutions and how this may differ from that of the conventional companion animal practice. Facilities and organizations such as mobile clinics, large animal practices, feline and exotic animal practices, emergency and specialty practices, laboratory animal facilities, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife management, and diagnostic facilities are considered. It is strongly recommended that students complete ACCT 101, Foundations of Financial Accounting and BSAD 310, Human Resource Management prior to taking this course.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of a degree in a Veterinary or Business related program and at least 45 credits earned overall, or permission of instructor.
VSAD 308 Veterinary Service Administration Internship Orientation
Spring, 1 credit hour
This course prepares students for the Internship for Veterinary Services Management, helps each student secure an appropriate internship site, helps students plan appropriate tasks and activities to complete during their internships, and establishes a contract between SUNY Canton, the internship site, and the student.
Prerequisite: Senior status in the Veterinary Services Management program or permission of instructor.
VSAD 402 VETERINARY BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Fall, 3 credit hours
This course introduces skills necessary to become proficient in one of the critical competencies required for Certified Veterinary Practice Manager certification: Finance. Students utilize Quickbooks accow1ting software on a virtual server to perform financial management tasks as they pertain to veterinary medicine and animal industries, and to generate and analyze financial reports. They discuss retirement accounts and investment accounts, and their implementation in a veterinary practice setting. Students discuss outside entities (accountants, financial advisors) with whom they will work to establish financial accounts, report financial data, and make timely and accurate payment of financial obligations. It is strongly recommended that students take ACCT 101, Foundations of Financial Accounting and BSAD 310, Human Resource Management prior to taking this course.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of a degree in a Veterinary or Business related program and at least 45 credits earned overall, or permission of instructor.
VSAD 408 Veterinary Service Administration Internship
Spring, 12 credit hours
This course is intended to be a culminating experience for the student, building upon and reinforcing material of previous course work. Working in conjunction with a field supervisor, the student will perform delegated duties associated with those of a veterinary facility manager or administrator. The internship will be individualized according to the career interests of the student and the needs of the supervising organization. Internship assignments may include information gathering, analysis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and other responsibilities. The student must complete 40 hours of internship experience to receive one credit hour of course work (for a total of 12 credits/480 hours).
Prerequisite/Corequisite: Senior Seminar (HSMB 410), completion of other program requirements, or permission of the Program Director or Dean.
VSCT 100 HUMAN ANIMAL BOND
Fall, 1 credit hour
The Human Companion Animal Bond course is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human-animal relationships. Topics include mechanisms of attachment, social and psychological aspects of human-animal interactions, pet loss and bereavement, physical and mental health benefits of animals, and animal assistance therapy programs. Major focus will be on developing the student's interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding animals in society. Two hours laboratory per week.
VSCT 101 FUNDAMENTAL VETERINARY NURSING SKILLS I
Fall, 2 credit hours
This course introduces students to the Veterinary Technology profession and fundamental animal care nursing skills. Students learn how to properly restrain cats and dogs, administer parenteral injections on models, take a patient history, complete medical records, conduct a physical examination, and perform clinical procedures related to primary patient care. Students also learn to identify cat and dog breeds and surgical instruments. Competencies related to basic nursing care are conducted at the end of the course. Course is limited to freshman students in the Veterinary Science Technology curriculum. One hour lecture, two hours laboratory per week. This course is a prerequisite to all other required VSCT courses.
Prerequisites/corequisites: College Biology I (BIOL 150), College Chemistry I (CHEM 150), Introduction to Animal Agriculture (VSCT 103), or permission of instructor.
VSCT 102 COMPANION ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Spring, 2 credit hours
This course is designed to help veterinary technicians gain insight and understanding into normal animal behavior. Emphasis is on analyzing problem behavior, preventative counseling, taking a behavioral history and client education of common canine and feline behavioral problems. In addition, avian and equine behavioral issues will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: VSCT 203, VSCT 204
VSCT 103 INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
Fall, 2 credit hours
An introductory course designed to familiarize the student with the use of animals to produce food, fiber, or profit. Beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, and other animals will be discussed. The intent of this course is to provide the student with insight as to the functions and needs of the animal owner/producer. Common production schemes, terminology, and animal breeds will be addressed.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in Veterinary Technology (2278) or Veterinary Science Technology (521)
VSCT 104 VETERINARY OFFICE PRACTICES
Spring, 1 credit hour
This course introduces basic veterinary office practices that would be expected of a graduate veterinary technician. The course covers business and professional skills such as: record keeping, scheduling appointments, professionalism and client communication. This course also provides hands-on experience with current veterinary practice software. Two hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: VSCT 101 Fundamental Veterinary Nursing Skills I and restricted to Veterinary Technology (2278) or Veterinary Science Technology (521)
VSCT 112 VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY I
Spring, 3 credit hours
An introduction to Veterinary Clinical Pathology as it relates to normal and abnormal physiology of animal species. Emphasis will be placed on techniques and sample handling rather than diagnosis. This course includes instruction in general laboratory equipment and the proper preparation of biological samples. Students will learn basic diagnostic techniques that include complete blood count, urinalysis, and examination of feces for internal parasites. Enrollment limited to Veterinary Science Technology students. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: VSCT 101 or permission of instructor.
VSCT 114 ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Spring, 3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamental understanding of animal structure and function. Emphasis placed on the practical aspects of anatomy and physiology of different species. Discussion will include tissues, organs, and body systems which make up the living mammalian organism. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite:Veterinary Nursing Skills I (VSCT 101) and College Biology I (BIOL 105) or permission of instructor.
VSCT 115 FUNDAMENTAL VETERINARY NURSING SKILLS II
Spring, 2 credit hours
This course is a continuation of material covered in Fundamental Veterinary Nursing Skills I. Students continue with identification of dog breeds and surgical instrumentation. Students identify, handle, and discuss husbandry of birds, small mammals, and reptile species. Instrumentation and restraint techniques for horses and livestock are also covered. Students perform nursing procedures including wound care and bandaging, diagnostic procedures for the eye, and subcutaneous and intramuscular injection techniques, among others, and discuss the examination and care of pediatric and geriatric patients. Students perform surgical preparation and assisting techniques, CPR, and endotracheal intubation on models and prepare surgical instruments and supplies for use. Animal welfare and the pet overpopulation crisis are also covered and client education is further developed. This course has 50 minutes of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: VSCT 101 - Fundamental Veterinary Nursing Skills I or permission of instructor
VSCT 201 VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PRECEPTORSHIP I
Spring, 1 credit hour
The preceptorship is designed to involve the students in the daily activities that are encountered in a veterinary practice, animal research facility or other allied animal health facility. The clinical site is selected by the student, however, they must be under the direct supervision of either a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician. A minimum of 120 hrs of participation in a position relating to veterinary technology in a faculty approved facility is required. The preceptorship is performed during the summer.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: VSCT 101, VSCT 103,VSCT 104,VSCT 112, VSCT 114, VSCT 115
VSCT 202 VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY II
Fall, 3 credit hours
A course of continued study (VSCT 112) in veterinary clinical pathology dealing with diagnostic laboratory procedures and their correlation with pathological conditions. This course includes discussion of normal hematology of the common domestic mammals and birds. Hematopoiesis, classification of anemias and abnormal leukograms are also covered. Students will also be instructed in the identification, life cycles and controls of animal parasitisms as well as the method and interpretation of a complete urinalysis. Laboratory practice in Hematology, Chemistry, Parasitology and Urinalysis of all the major domestic species of animals is included.
VSCT 203 SMALL ANIMAL MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES
Fall, 3 credit hours
This course is designed to introduce the students to many of the common procedures performed by licensed veterinary technicians in a small animal clinical situation. The students will be instructed on many of the common canine and feline diseases and will become familiar with the signs, therapeutic treatments and methods of prevention. Small animal zoonotic diseases will be di$cussed to familiarize the students to the topics that veterinary staff are frequently called upon to answer. The students will perform venipuncture and intravenous catheter placements. Other procedures such as cystocentesis, stomach tube placement, blood transfusions, EKG use and splint application will be demonstrated. Students will anesthetize the animals used in the laboratories so that the skill for that week can be performed. Students will assist with the neutering of the animals after the lab skills for that week are completed and will be allowed to assist with the anesthetic monitoring and the recovery of the animals.
Prerequisites: VSCT 112, VSCT 114, VSCT 115
VSCT 204 LARGE ANIMAL MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES
Fall, 3 credit hours
A course designed to prepare the Veterinary Science student for a role in a large animal veterinary practice. Emphasis will be on restraint and handling, physical exam, and therapeutic methods of the food, fiber, and equine patient. Students will also have an understanding of specialized diagnostics, anesthetic principles, and surgeries associated with these animals. This course also includes discussion on regulatory medicine and its importance to agriculture and public health.
Prerequisites: VSCT 112, VSCT 114, VSCT 115
VSCT 205 RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
Fall, 2 credit hours
This course is designed as an introduction to radiology and other types of imaging in a veterinary facility. Students will be required to position patients, calculate exposure values, exposed radiographic film and process films manually, automatically and digitally. Students will examine radiographs taken by their lab groups and critique them for their diagnostic quality. Students will be instructed on radiation hazards and how to avoid them. The use of ultrasound will be demonstrated and alternative technologies for imagining such as fluoroscopy, CT, MRI and nuclear scintigraphy will be discussed.
Prerequisites: VSCT 112, VSCT 114, VSCT 115
VSCT 206 ANESTHETIC PRINCIPLES
Fall, 3 credit hours
This course is an introduction to anesthetic principles as they relate to animal medical and surgical care. The student will be presented with information on basic preanesthetic agents, anesthetic agents, and anesthetic monitoring devices. Special anesthetic techniques used on dogs, cats, horses, ruminants and swine will be covered as well rodents and other more exotic species. Students will be presented with the potential human and animal hazards associated with anesthetic drugs. CPR and the recognition and treatment of emergency situations will be addressed. Pain control and analgesics commonly used in multi-modal pain treatment will be covered.
Prerequisites: VSCT114, VSCT 115
VSCT 207 HEALTH AND DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS
Spring, 2 credit hours
This course is designed to acquaint students with the most common infectious and non-infectious diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine. The causative agent of these diseases will be identified and emphasis will be placed on the care of the animal and the prevention of the disease. Basic discussion of immunology and vaccination theory is also included as well as proper husbandry of these animals and how this relates to the wellbeing of these animals. Diseases of public health importance and zoonotic potential arc also included.
Prerequisite: VSCT 204 and VSCT 214
VSCT 209 VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PRECEPTORSHIP II
Fall, 1 credit hour
The preceptorship is designed to involve the students in the daily activities that are encountered in a veterinary practice, animal research facility or other allied animal health facility. The clinical site is selected by the student, however, they must be under the direct supervision of either a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician. A minimum of 120 hrs of participation in a position relating to veterinary technology in a faculty approved facility is required. Emphasis in this course is on the integration of skills learned in the veterinary technology clinical coursework during the previous semesters. These tasks may include history taking and physical exam, surgical nursing, laboratory procedures, radiology as well as therapeutics and animal care. The preceptorship is performed during the winterterm.
Prerequisite/Corequisites: VSCT 202, VSCT 203, VSCT 204, VSCT 205, VSCT 206, VSCT 207
VSCT 210 VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course consists of the study of pathogenic organisms encountered in animals and the diseases that they cause. Basic concepts of cytology and the interpretation of cytological slides are also covered. The laboratory focuses on the management of a veterinary microbiology lab as well as the isolation and identification of veterinary pathogens. Enrollment is limited to students in the veterinary technology programs (521 & 2278)
Prerequisites: BIOL 209, VSCT 112, VSCT 202, VSCT 203 VSCT 207
VSCT 211 ANIMAL HOSPITAL PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course is considered the capstone course for the Veterinary Science Technology curriculum and is only open to students who have successfully completed all of the core VSCT courses from the first three semesters of the Veterinary Science Technology (curriculum code 521) Checksheet. This class creates an environment similar to that of a working veterinary practice and allows students to practice and further enhance the skills necessary for a licensed veterinary technician. During each class meeting, students are required to write graded assignments. They will also complete longer reflective papers as part of the semester assignment. Students are also required to research a case study and prepare a written reference paper and deliver an oral presentation using presentation software. Students enrolling in this class are expected to perform required kennel duty.
Prerequisites: VSCT 201, VSCT202, VSCT203, VSCT204, VSCT205, VSCT206, VSCT 207, VSCT 209
VSCT 212 RESEARCH ANIMAL TECHNIQUES
Spring, 1 credit hour
This course is a foundation course in developing skills necessary for employment in an animal research facility. Husbandry and clinical techniques specific to laboratory animals will be discussed. Emphasis will be on providing quality animal care, monitoring the health and well-being of laboratory animals, and understanding ethical issues surrounding animal research. Enrollment limited to Veterinary Science Technology students. Two hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: Fundamental Veterinary Nursing Skills I (VSCT 101) or permission of instructor.
VSCT 213 PRACTICAL NUTRITION
Spring, 2 credit hours
This course will cover the feeding of small animals in health and disease during the various stages of the life cycle. The major dietary nutrients will be discussed at length. Nutrient deficiencies and excesses will be discussed and human and animal case examples used. Dietary management of specific diseases that affect small animals (and to a lesser extent large animals) will be a primary focus. Homemade, raw and commercial diets will be discussed. Interpreting pet food labels and calculating the amount of food to feed an animal will be covered.
Prerequisite: VSCT 114, VSCT 115
VSCT 214 VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY
Fall, 2 credit hours
The course is designed for Veterinary Science Technology students as an introduction to pharmacology. The various classes of drugs used in veterinary medicine will be discussed in regard to use, side effects, contraindications, method of administration, etc. Drug math will be emphasized, including CRI and other calculations related to drug use. Upon completion of this course, a student should have familiarity with many of the commonly used drugs in a veterinary hospital.
Prerequisites: VSCT 114 and VSCT 115
VSCT 303 ADVANCED VETERINARY NURSING
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course aids students who have already completed fundamental courses in veterinary technology in developing their knowledge and skills. Emphasis on specific concepts of patient assessment, critical care nursing, advanced fluid therapy, transfusion medicine, respiratory therapy and mechanical ventilation, rehabilitation, advanced imaging, clinical nutrition, and emergency medicine. Use of advanced electronic equipment in veterinary practice is discussed.
Prerequisite: VSCT 202, VSCT 203, VSCT 205, VSCT 206, and at least 45 credits earned, or permission of instructor.
VSCT 305 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR IN VETERINARY PRACTICE
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course examines the normal and abnormal behavior of domestic animals, with emphasis on analyzing companion animal behavior disorders, taking a behavioral history, examining treatment methods and providing client education and preventative counseling. Common pharmaceutical therapies used in behavioral modification will be discussed. Domestic ruminant, bird and captive animals' behavioral issues will also be discussed. Students will be expected to analyze case studies and discuss possible modification tactics.
Prerequisite: VSCT 203 Small Animal Medicine and Therapeutic Techniques, VSCT 204 Large Animal Medicine and Therapeutic Techniques.
VSCT 401 ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES IN VETERINARY MEDICINE
Fall, 3 credit hours
This course allows the student to explore legal and ethical issues as they pertain to veterinary medicine and animal industries. Students are required to thoroughly research topics and present their own thoughts and conclusions. Student research, debate, case studies, and other modalities are used. It is strongly recommended that students take ACCT 101, Foundations of Financial Accounting and BSAD 310, Human Resource Management prior to taking this course.
Prerequisite: VSCT 202, VSCT 203, VSCT 204 and at least 45 credits earned overall, or permission of instructor