AAEC Veterinary Science Tract

• The Veterinary Science Tract was created to offer students an opportunity to learn about careers available as a veterinarian, a certified veterinary technician and other animal and human health fields.

• The 4 courses (2 semesters each) and a brief description of each are as follows…..

• Introduction to Veterinary Science

_ The first few weeks are devoted to learning the educational requirements and challenges to become a veterinarian or a certified veterinary technician and the specialty areas available to each. School costs and salaries are discussed.

_ Students will learn the “language” as they are introduced to the medical terms for each body system. They will also learn “medical math” where they calculate dosages of oral and injectable medications.

• Animal Anatomy & Physiology

_ Students will learn the major bones, muscles, body parts and how they function; then, compare the similarities between animal species.

_ They will build their own “model” of some anatomical systems.

• Animal Diseases

_ Students will learn the major diseases and problems for various species and what vaccines we routinely administer to each.

_ They will learn what diseases affect both humans and animals (Zoonotic) plus substantial time will be spent on biological agents that can be used for Bioterrorism.

• Veterinary Clinical Techniques _ This course is strictly “hands-on” and is

reserved for senior students. They begin with how to take a proper history, physical exam and restraint of several species plus the administration of medications, drawing blood and setting IV catheters.

_ Other skills include application of bandages and casts, anesthesia monitoring, surgical prep, operation of medical equipment.

_ Teamwork and communication skills are heavily stressed.

Intro to Vet Science

• DVM Educational Requirements and Costs

– 1. Pre-vet courses…..4 yrs average

– 2. Apply to one of 28 Accredited Veterinary

– Schools in the US. (and get accepted)

– 3. Veterinary School….4 years

– 4. Pass State and National Exams

– 5. Av. Debt for 2010 graduates = $180,000

• CVT Educational Requirements and costs

_ 2 yr AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technician Program

_ Pass State and National Exams

_ Av. Cost for a CVT program is $28,000

• DVM and CVT Specialties

• _ Advanced training after DVM and CVT

• _ 4-5 yrs for DVMs

• _ 2-5 yrs for CVTs

• Animal Health Related Careers

_ Pharmaceutical reps _ Zoo keepers _ Animal Control Officers _ Police and Military animals _ Homeland Security _ Research Facilities _ Aquarium and Marine animals _ Hosts of others

• Medical Terminology

_ “Learn the Language”

_ Anatomy of a Word

_ Prefixes and Suffixes

_ Words for various body systems

Animal Anatomy & Physiology

• Anatomy = study of structure _ Bones, Muscles, Tissues and Organs _ Build your own “model” of various systems. • Physiology = how the body functions _ Compare various species and why they

function differently.

Animal Diseases

• Major diseases and problems of various species.

_ Core Vaccines

_ Recognize signs of major diseases.

_ Know how the diseases are spread.

• Zoonotic Diseases

_ Affect humans and animals.

• Disease agents used in Bioterrorism.

_ Why they may or may not be effective.

_ How to recognize these agents.

Veterinary Clinical Techniques

• History • Physical exam • Restraint • Administration of medications • Drawing blood • IV catheters • Applying bandages and casts • Performing Lab tests • Taking radiographs • Operating medical & surgical equipment • Office & Personnel Management • Teamwork & Communication • Minimum 200 hours working in the veterinary field