Lab: 20 hours/semester
Laboratory skills are taught, practiced and evaluated in-person. Sample collection procedures may include use of canine and feline models (including cadavers) and live animals.
General laboratory skills:
- laboratory equipment maintenance, calibration and use
- laboratory logs and forms
Parasitology:
- sample collection and preparation
- parasite identification
- diagnostic tests such as fecal flotation, sedimentation and direct smear
Hematology:
- sample collection and preparation
- packed cell volume and total protein
- manual complete blood count with differential
- red and white blood cell morphology
- platelet and reticulocyte counts
- calculation of hematologic indices
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- use common laboratory equipment, including a compound microscope, refractometer and centrifuge;
- maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment;
- collect and prepare samples for laboratory analysis;
- identify the common veterinary parasites of domestic animals;
- perform fecal tests for parasite identification such as fecal flotation, sedimentation, direct smears and Baermann test;
- perform microscopy to identify external parasites such as lice and mites;
- identify the different components of blood;
- perform common veterinary hematology diagnostic tests such as manual complete blood counts, packed cell volume, analysis of red and white blood cell morphology, platelet estimates and reticulocyte counts;
- perform an animal dissection and collect appropriate samples for laboratory analysis;
- complete laboratory logs and forms.
Assessment will be in accordance with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline listing the specific essential skills to be evaluated and the evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:
- demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills.
- attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled hours in Lab.
Evaluation will be based on:
Practical evaluations: 50-75% (no single evaluation worth more than 20%)
Attendance and participation: 25-50%
TOTAL 100%
Consult the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- Sirois, Margi. (Current Edition). Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.
Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of (C) in all courses in order to progress in the program.