Veterinary Medicine
Syllabus
Course Essential Questions:
- How does animal form and function impact a veterinarians ability to diagnose and treat their patients?
- What methods and techniques are used to diagnose sick or injured animals?
- What impact does preventative medicine have on the health of animals?
- What does it take to work in the field of veterinary medicine?
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how organs and systems function in healthy animals, and the significance of homeostasis.
- Analyze the animals’ signs and symptoms and diagnose an issue, and recommend a treatment plan.
- Identify the necessary diagnostic techniques needed to diagnose and treat sick or injured animals
- Identify the variety of careers in the field of veterinary medicine, and the education and training required for each path.
- Describe and demonstrate the skills required to diagnose, treat and communicate about sick or injured animals.
- Explain the importance of preventative steps to reduce the likelihood an animal will develop a disease or disorder.
- Be able to answer common questions about animal behavior.
Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology of Animals (weeks 1-6)
Week 1: Welcome to Veterinary Medicine
Weekly Essential Questions
- What are the rules, policies, and expectations of this course?
- How do I want to be treated and how do I want to treat others as I interact with my teachers and classmates?
- What will I be learning in this course?
Weekly Objectives
- Understand the rules and policies of the course, and expectations of you as a contributing member of our learning community
- Begin to build community by sharing important information with your teacher and classmates about yourself and your school, and creating a social contract together for guidelines on interacting throughout the class
- Develop your skills for navigating the course environment and using the various course tools
- Reflect on the decision to take this course.
- Learn about different resources that will be important for this course.
- Research definitions for commonterms signficant to veterinary medicine.
- Identify and research veterinary diagnostic techniques that will be used throughout the course.
Week 2: Cells, homeostasis, Nervous and Endocrine Systems
Weekly Essential Questions
- What is the significance of homeostasis?
- How does a body maintain homeostasis?
- How does a healthy animal's nervous and endocrine system function?
Weekly Objectives:
- Identify organs, tissues and cells of the nervous and endocrine systems.
- Describe the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems.
- Explain the importance of homeostasis, and the role of the nervous and endocrine system in keeping a balance.
- Weigh the pros and cons of using dissection as an education tool.
- Research a topic related to the disruption of homeostasis of the nervous or endocrine system.
- Examine the case study information and use the learning from the week, as well as addiitional research (as needed) to diagnosis the patient.
Week 3: Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
Weekly Essential Questions
- How do a healthy animal's circulatory and respiratory systems function to maintain homeostasis?
- How does the structure of the organs and tissues of the circulatory and respiratory systems impact their functions?
Weekly Objectives
- Identify organs, tissues and cells of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
- Describe the structure and function of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
- Explain the importance of homeostasis, and the role of the circulatory and respiratory systems in keeping a balance.
- Analyze a veterinary dilemma related to heartworm and decide on the best course of action.
- Examine the case study information and use the learning from the week, as well as addiitional research (as needed) to diagnosis the patient
Week 4: Musculoskeletal System
Weekly Essential Questions
- How do a healthy animal's musculoskeletal system function to maintain homeostasis?
- How do skeletal systems of animals compare, and why is it important to understand?
- What is the significance of diagnostic imaging?
Weekly Objectives
- Explain how the structure of muscles and bones impacts function.
- Differentiate how the musculoskeletal systems differ between animals groups.
- Model one type of synovial joint.
- Explain the significance of a tail.
- Decide on the best diagnostic technique, given an injury.
Week 5: Integumentary and Immune Systems
Weekly Essential Questions
- What is the significance of the integumentary system as part of the immune system?
- How does the structure of the integumentary system relate to its function?
- What important cells, tissues, organs and chemical work together to produce an immune response?
- What can we learn from a complete blood count?
Weekly Objectives
- Identify organs, tissues, and cells of the integumentary and immune systems.
- Describe how structure relates to the function of the integumentary and immune systems.
- Explain the importance of a complete blood count in diagnosing immune disorders.
- Identify various skin critters, their origin, diagnosis and treatments.
Week 6: Digestion and Excretory Systems
Weekly Essential Questions
- What is the importance of food choice?
- How does a healthy animal's digestive system function?
- What is the role of the excretory system?
- What is the structure and function of the digestive and excretory systems?
Weekly Objectives
- Describe how food is digestive, including the organs and enzymes involved.
- Differentiate between the digestive systems of different kinds of animals.
- Analyze food nutritional labels and make an informed decision about the best food choice options.
- Explain the role enzymes have in the processes of digestion and excretion.
Unit 2: Small Animal Medicine (weeks 7-9)
Week 7: Dogs
Weekly Essential Questions
- How do dog breeds compare?
- What physical and behavioral characteristics make dogs unique from other animals?
- What dog breeds are prone to medical conditions?
- Why do dogs exhibit certain behaviors
Weekly Objectives
- Compare different dog breeds.
- Identify medical issues certain breeds are prone to have
- Explain unique dog behaviors
- Discuss ear structure and function and the significance of otitis externa
- Choose a topic for the Pack Project.
Week 8: Cats
Weekly Essential Questions
- How do cat breeds compare?
- What physical and behavioral characteristics make cat unique from other animals?
- What is the impact of behavioral problems in cats?
- Why do cats exhibit certain behaviors?
Weekly Objectives
- Compare different cat breeds.
- Identify medical issues certain breeds are prone to have
- Explain unique cat behaviors
- Discuss cat behavioral problems and solutions.
- Meet teammates for the Pack Project and decide on roles.
Week 9: Other Small Pets
Weekly Essential Questions
- How do small animal care needs compare to each other?
- What is the importance of safe handling techniques and some examples?
Weekly Objectives
- Describe the safe handling techniques of different small animals.
- Research three small animals and be able to explain their physical and behavioral characteristics.
- List the routine care needs and medical considerations of three different small animal pets.
- Be a contributing member of the Pack Project.
Unit 3: Large Animal Practices (Weeks 10 -11)
Week 10: Horses
Weekly Essential Questions
- What special veterinary considerations are necessary for horses?
- How does the structure of the hoof impact its fucntion?
- What is the significance of lameness?
Weekly Objectives
- Discuss the ethics of horse racing.
- Compare the characteristics of different breeds of horses.
- Identify the normal physiological values of horses.
- Relate the horse hoof structure to its function.
- Determine a treatment plan for a horse with navicular disease
Week 11: Farm Animals
Weekly Essential Questions
- What are the unique needs of farm animals?
- What is the significance of nutrition as it relates to the health of farm animals?
- What are the common diseases and disorders of farm animals?
Weekly Objectives
- Explain how veterinary care on a farm differs compared to other animals.
- Identify and diagnose a case of mastitis.
- Compare unique behaviors of farm animals
- Research and identify common diseases and disorders of farm animals.
Unit 4: Wild Animals (Weeks 12 - 13)
Week 12: Wildlife Care
Weekly Essential Questions
- What role do veterinarians play in the care or treatment of wildlife?
- How can a veterinary clinic be prepared to provide education or care for wildlife?
Weekly Objectives
- Explain what to do if a sick or injured animal is found.
- Compare different species, their habitats and behaviors, and how to safely help them.
- List basic supplies a veterinary clinic should have on hand for wildlife.
- Discuss the significance of a wildlife rehabilitator.
- Summarize at least one zoonotic disease and its significance.
Week 13: Zoo Animal Care
Weekly Essential Questions
- What does a zoo veterinarian do?
- What is the importance of habitat and enrichment for zoo animals?
- What preventative measures are taken within zoos?
Weekly Objectives
- Compare the role of different zoo staff members and how their duties intersect
- Explain the importance of enrichment opportunities for animals
- Describe a day in the life of a zoo veterinarian.
- Compare the care needs of different zoo animals.
- Prepare for the final exam.
Unit 5: Education and Careers (Weeks 14-15)
Week 14: Education & Careers in Veterinary Medicine
Weekly Essential Questions
- What important skills and training are required for a career in veterinary medicine?
- How do the requirements for veterinary schools compare?
Weekly Objectives
- Discuss the different careers that animals may have.
- Compare the requirements to get into the different veterinary schools.
- Analyze the different career paths one might take to have a career working with animals.
- Reflect on your own skills and qualities to determine your strengths and areas in need of improvement for a career in veterinary medicine.
- Study for the final exam.
Week 15: Review and Wrap Up
Weekly Essential Questions
- What are your goals for the future?
- What have you learned throughout this course?
Weekly Objectives
- Take a final exam to demonstrate content knowledge.
- Discuss your plans for your future.
- Take two surveys to provide feedback to VHS Learning.