Veterinary Assistant Series

Study online with Instructor moderated discussion boards. Taught by a practicing veterinarian and college instructor, courses in the series will give you all the information you need to prepare for work as a veterinary assistant including the specific veterinary duties you are likely to face every day.

Learn the ins and outs of common procedures as you gain a better understanding of the reasoning behind decisions and recommendations made by veterinarians as well as the essentials facts of sound dog breeding so that you can knowledgeably converse with clients. You'll also learn the practical skills you need to be a valuable veterinary assistant or educated pet owner through videos that demonstrate many procedures and techniques, as well as state-of-the-art interactive graphics. 

Series bundles are not eligible for partial drops or refunds. Transfers to other open sessions of the same course are available. 

Syllabus

1. Become a Veterinary Assistant
   1. History of Veterinary Practice and Dog and Cat Reproduction
   2. Vaccinology for Dogs and Cats
   3. Parasites Infesting Pets and People
   4. How to Pick the Best Food for Your Pet; Prescription Diets
   5. Euthanasia: The Procedure, How to Help Clients, and Assisting Children With Pet Loss
   6. Workplace Safety and Veterinary Hospital Economics
   7. Pet First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
   8. External Parasites of Pets, Including the Flea
   9. Confidentiality and Grievances, Client Communications, and Client Education
   10. Medical Records and Prescriptions
   11. Alternative Therapies in Veterinary Medicine
   12. Behavior Counseling for Puppies and Kittens and Putting It All Together in a Health Plan
2. Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction
   1. Prebreeding Assessment and Management
   2. Female Reproductive Anatomy and Disorders
   3. Male Reproductive Anatomy and Disorders
   4. The Reproductive Cycle and When to Breed
   5. Natural Breeding and Artificial Insemination
   6. Reasons for Female Infertility: Uterine and Ovarian Disorders
   7. Reasons for Female Infertility: Effects of Abnormal Estrous Cycles
   8. Reasons for Male Infertility
   9. Pregnancy Diagnosis and Care of the Pregnant Bitch
   10. Whelping: Normal and Assisted (Including Cesarean)
   11. Postpartum Disease
   12. Neonatal Care: Birth to Six Months
3. Become a Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills
   1. Basic Dog Restraints
   2. Basic Restraint Techniques
   3. Exams, Pilling, and Nails
   4. Blood Collection
   5. Blood Tests
   6. Urine Tests
   7. Surgeries
   8. Hygiene 101
   9. Gender, Age, and Dosage Calculations
   10. Exam Room Skills (TPR)
   11. Radiology and Medical Terminology
   12. Injections, Vaccines, and Worms
4. Veterinary Medical Terminology
   1. Ready, Set, Go
   2. Where, Why, and What?
   3. Musculoskeletal System
   4. Head to Toe and What's in a Name?
   5. Digestive System
   6. Urinary and Cardiovascular Systems
   7. Respiratory System
   8. Integumentary and Endocrine Systems
   9. Reproductive Systems
   10. Nervous System and Seeing and Hearing
   11. Hematologic, Lymphatic, Immunologic, and Oncological Terminology
   12. Physical Exams, Drugs, and Dissection

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course besides an interest in responsible breeding practices that promote the health of breeding dogs and their puppies.

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.