Vet Science and Small Animal Care

Course Description

This course will develop students’ understanding of veterinary science and the small and companion animal industry.  Topics of study will include: animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, animal reproduction, diseases, parasitology, poisoning and toxicology, animal ethics and welfare issues, animal health, small, large, and exotic animal medicine, veterinary medicine, veterinary office practices, and animal services to humans. Career exploration will focus on veterinarian, veterinary lab technicians, office lab assistant, small animal production, research lab assistant, and animal nutrition lab technician. Students will also become involved with the National FFA Organization and SAE.  This is a full year course.

Prerequisites: Biology and Animal Science
This course is for juniors and seniors

Texts for this class:

Introduction to Veterinary Science; 3rd Edition,  Lawhead and Baker, Cengage Learning; and Small Animal Care & Management; 4th Edition, Warren, Cengage Learning

Instructional Philosophy:

Agricultural Education enables students to learn facts, analyze problems, and have an opportunity to gain self-confidence.  This confidence is a gradually developing process.  Each student is given the opportunity to achieve individual accomplishments while working in small groups and on individual projects.  The self-confidence that students acquire helps them in all phases of their lives.  With confidence in themselves, they are able to make wiser decisions that have been reasoned out.

The relevant skills taught in Agricultural Education are of vital importance to students of both sexes and of all academic and economic levels.  Every student is involved in some phase of agriculture, regardless of his or her paid occupation.  Students are given the opportunity to acquire facts and develop competencies and apply these facts through their own Supervised Agricultural Experience and to develop themselves into competent community leaders through their involvement in the National FFA Organization.

Course Goals:

Veterinary Science

Part I: COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
1. Basic Cell Biology.
2. Tissue Types and Functions.
3. The Musculoskeletal System.
4. The Circulatory System.
5. The Respiratory System.
6. The Renal System.
7. The Digestive System.
8. The Reproductive System.
9. The Nervous System.
10. The Endocrine System.
11. The Immune System.
Part II: NUTRITION.
12. Basic Nutrients.
13. Species Comparison.
Part III: DISEASES.
14. Principles of Infectious Disease.
15. Disease Prevention.
16. Classification of Diseases.
17. Zoonoses.
18. Diagnosis of Disease.
Part IV: SURGERY.
19. Principles of Surgery.
Part V: PROFESSIONALISM AND CAREERS.
20. Safety.
21. Careers and Decision Making in Veterinary Science.

Small Animal Care and Management

1. Introduction to Small Animal Care.
2. Safety.
3. Small Animals and Pets.
4. Animal Rights and Animal Welfare.
5. Careers in Small Animal Care.
6. Nutrition and Digestive Systems.
7. Dogs.
8. Cats.
9. Rabbits.
10. Hamsters.
11. Gerbils.
12. Rats.
13. Mice.
14. Guinea Pigs.
15. Chinchillas.
16. Ferrets.
17. Hedgehogs.
18. Sugar Gliders.
19. Amphibians.
20. Reptiles.
21. Birds.
22. Fish.

Course Assessment

This course will follow the district wide grading scale which is mandated by the West Central School Board:

92-100% A

83-91%   B

74-82%  C

65-73%  D

Below 64%  F

The total points for the grading period will be used to determine the letter grade received by the student.  Students will have the opportunity to earn Bonus Points through involvement in FFA activities. Bonus points are added to their daily classroom grade.

Missing and Late work policy:

All work for a Unit is due when the student takes the test for that unit. Any assignments that have not been turned in prior to the test will be scored 0.