Under supervision, the students work together as part of the veterinary medical care team for animal patients. Assignments include patient presentation, laboratory evaluation, radiology, anesthesia, pre- and post- operative care, surgical procedures, dental procedures, and surgical assisting. Special techniques will be presented.

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

• Perform a complete physical examination of a patient
• Provide safe and effective restraint of the patient
• Obtain diagnostic samples for laboratory testing
• Perform laboratory testing on obtained samples
• Perform appropriate vaccinations
• Perform prescribed injections
• Complete written medical and dental records using the SOAP format
• Place peripheral intravenous catheter
• Administer prescribed medications and anesthetic agents
• Calculate and administer fluid therapy
• Provide customized set up of anesthetic equipment
• Perform intubation with endotracheal tube
• Monitor anesthesia through stages of induction, maintenance, and recovery
• Record vital signs and events of the anesthetic procedure
• Clean and maintain anesthetic and monitoring equipment
• Maintain log of Sodasorb usage
• Evaluate patient for pain and distress
• Address patient needs in consultation with veterinarian
• Remove intravenous catheter as directed
• Accurately record required information in the controlled drug logs and medical record
• Assist in filling prescriptions
• Assist in the completion of treatment sheets 2
• Follow assigned treatment orders
• Provide circulating assistance in the dental or surgical operatory
• Provide surgical assistance in the surgical operatory
• Use cap, mask, gowns, and gloves correctly
• Use personal protective equipment for dental procedures
• Perform dental prophylaxis using power equipment and hand instruments
• Assist in other dental procedures as needed
• Perform radiography as requested by veterinarian
• Follow safety protocols for radiographic procedures
• Provide care and maintenance of dental instruments
• Provide care of surgical instruments
• Prepare and sterilize surgical and dental instrument packs
• Clean and sanitize the dental and surgical operatory
• Demonstrate skin suturing techniques
• Generate, measure, and evaluate electrocardiograms
• Perform ocular diagnostic techniques
• Practice use of jugular through the needle catheters
• Describe safety precautions for and proper use of electrosurgery and laser equipment
• Research and present findings on an advanced clinical technique
• Describe physical therapy modalities
• Apply concepts of critical care
• Attend animal field trips