You must have been accepted to the online veterinary technology program at NVCC and be program placed in order to take this course. This course surveys the basic techniques in the veterinary hospital laboratory for in-house evaluation of animal health and disease conditions. Emphasis is on automated laboratory equipment, microscopy, and visual-based modern diagnostic procedures.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• List and describes management principles and maintenance of veterinary hospital laboratory
• Describe the basic principles of the immune system
• List and explain common serological principles utilized as diagnostic methods for determination of viral and bacterial antigens
• Explore and interpret results of in-house serological test kits including ELISA
• Conduct research using the Internet for proper specimen collection, handling and shipment to a veterinary reference laboratory
• Perform proper specimen collection, handling, and storage
• Describe principle of enzymology and various clinical chemistry testing equipment
• List the indications for various types of tests used in clinical chemistry profiles and organ function assays
• Perform organ function tests and utilize appropriate terminology to characterize the results
• Describe procedures for performing swab, aspirate, and fluid sampling for bacterial culturing
• Utilize microbiological techniques to isolate and identify normal flora from common pathogens encountered in small and large animal practices
• Describe procedure and proper reporting  for antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• List common fungal  organisms and describe the procedures for proper sample collection and identification
• Define nosocomial infection and explain methods for control in a veterinary hospital
• Explain indications for use of species blood typing and blood cross-matching in association with transfusion medicine
• Describe methods for male breeding soundness in various species and semen analysis

In addition to the required texts, you are also required to have:

• Clean white lab coat; name tag is optional.
• Protective eyewear (chemistry goggles or glasses), when indicated.
• Disposable vinyl or latex gloves - you are required to supply your own. Please ensure the gloves are the proper size and fit to work with properly.
• Box of frosted-end glass slides.
• No open-toed shoes or sandals. Completely closed rubber-soled no-heeled shoe preferred.
• Wear clothing that will cover your legs. If you have long hair, please tie it back or pin it up.

Your course grade will be determined by the following assignments:

There are 2 exams in this course.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail :
Telephone : (703) 450-2619
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person at my campus office in Loudoun. 

Last Updated: July 13, 2012