Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed to introduce the student to the wide range of infectious and non-infectious diseases and disorders of dogs and cats. The student will develop knowledge of the scientific name; the common name(s); the species affected; the age, sex, and breed predisposition; the etiology/pathogenesis; the clinical signs; the diagnostic tests and the basis for the diagnosis; the treatment; the prognosis, and the prevention for each disease presented.  

This is a three-credit-hour course that meets for three-lecture hours per week.  

It is designed for second year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology. Credits in this course are not transferable to a four-year school towards a baccalaureate degree.  

There is no specific text required for this course, although The Merck Veterinary Manual is recommended as a reference book. 

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This course is designed to be a lecture-only course. Lecture topics concerning dogs and cats will be covered in a systematic order based on body organ systems. Topics covered will be infectious diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, metabolic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and Integumentary systems of the dog and cat. An overview of avian diseases, theriogenology, and oncology will be included. Diseases and disease processes will be covered in order based on species and organ systems.

The student shall have successfully completed all of the course work in the first year veterinary technology curriculum. The following courses are specific prerequisites: Veterinary Pharmacology (VT 205), Comparative Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (VT 105, lO6), Specimen Collection Laboratory (VT 110), Hematology and Urinalysis (VT 111), Clinical Laboratory Procedures (VT 112), and Veterinary Microbiology (VT 113).  

Grades will be based on the student’s understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic examinations, a comprehensive final exam, and by attendance. To receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 80 percent of each of the lecture classes.  

Upon successful completion of the course, the short term outcome will be that the student will have satisfactorily accomplished the goals and objectives of this course content and outcome guide and confirmed as provided in the assessment above. The long-term outcome desired is for the student to gain sufficient knowledge of small animal diseases to successfully pass the National Veterinary Technician Board Examination and effectively utilize the knowledge gained in their Cooperative Education Experience and as a practicing veterinary technician upon graduation. The course content guides are developed by college-wide subject area faculty and approved by management.

1.0 SMALL ANIMAL DISEASES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the following diseases, disease processes, and disorders that occur in small animals.

2.0  THERIOGENOLOGY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of parturition and dystocia.

3.0  AVIAN DISEASES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge about diseases, the disease processes, and disorders which occur in caged birds.

4.0  ONCOLOGY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the most common neoplastic diseases.