ATE 3617 - Companion Animal Diseases

School of Veterinary Technology

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Summer 2021 (590)

Requisites

Pre- or Co-requisite ATE 3615 with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course is designed to provide the student with essential knowledge of the common diseases affecting companion animals. Students will learn the basics of recognizing diseases. Clinical signs, diagnostic tests and appropriate client education will be highlighted. The course will emphasize dogs and cats, but will also include other companion species including birds, ferrets and rodents.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of abnormal clinical findings that can be identified while performing a physical exam and recording a medical history by:
    1. analyzing the normal values of clinical signs typically identified in a physical exam and medical history.
    2. evaluating clinical values and identifying those values which are abnormal.
    3. recognizing the relationship between the abnormal values and the affected body system.
  2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of different diseases by body systems by:
    1. specifying the common diseases that occur for each body system.
    2. evaluating clinical cases and differentiating which body system is affected.
    3. assessing the interrelationships of multiple body systems affected by a single disease.
  3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the common laboratory tests available to aid in diagnosis of diseases by:
    1. identifying the routine diagnostic tests available at most veterinary hospitals.
    2. identifying specialized diagnostic procedures available at referral veterinary hospitals.
    3. choosing appropriate diagnostic tests and procedures to be performed for specific diseases.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of providing clear communication to a client regarding the nature and treatment of the patient’s disease by:
    1. assessing the key information that clients need regarding the disease of their pet.
    2. using language that clients can comprehend to educate clients about disease conditions of their pets.
    3. formulating answers to questions about common diseases that may be proposed by clients.
    4. constructing discharge instructions for common diseases that explain the disease, its treatment, and the care required after leaving the hospital.
    5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the most common diseases affecting companion species other than dogs and cats by:
    6. defining the 5 most common diseases affecting ferrets, rodents, rabbits and birds.
    7. defining the 5 most common diseases of a companion species other than those already listed.
    8. recognizing the signs of these common diseases.
    9. evaluating clinical cases and developing a differential diagnostic list for the patient conditions presented in case studies.
    10. writing a report that contains the clinical signs, diagnostic tests, treatment and aftercare of a disease affecting a companion species other than a dog or cat.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

(per RF instructions chg from 20081). (submitted as 33XX; SCNS approved as 3617). Flexible Access 20081(0400). C&I Approval: 01/22/2008, BOT Approval: 02/19/2008, Effective Term: Fall 2008 (400).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2021 (590)

Related Programs

  1. Veterinary Technology (VETTC-BAS) (640) (Active)