AGV 146 - Large Animal Care
Course Department: Science
Last Date of Approval: 05/2025
3 Credits
Total Lecture Hours: 30
Total Lab Hours: 30
Total Clinical Hours: 0
Course Description:
This course provides a comprehensive overview of husbandry, handling, clinical procedures, surgical assistance, and disease recognition in common large animal species including horses, cattle, small ruminants, camelids, and swine. Emphasis is placed on clinical relevance, technician responsibilities, and species-specific handling and care.
Mode(s) of Instruction: Traditional/Face-to-Face
Credit for Prior Learning: There are no Credit for Prior Learning opportunities for this course.
Course Fees: None
Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Safely handle, restrain, and examine various livestock species using species-appropriate techniques.
- Perform routine nursing procedures including sample collection, medication administration, and wound care.
- Understand species-specific surgical procedures and technician roles in pre-, intra-, and post-operative care.
- Recognize common diseases, preventive care, and herd health principles in large animal practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of hospital management, documentation, and diagnostic procedures in a large animal setting.
Unit Objectives:
Unit 1: The Livestock Industry
Objective 1: Describe the role of livestock in agriculture and public health.
Objective 2: Explain ethical considerations and the human-animal bond in food animal medicine.
Objective 3: Apply safe livestock handling and restraint practices.
Objective 4: Understand reproductive cycles and practices in herd species.
Objective 5: Demonstrate knowledge of species-specific nutrition and feeding systems.
Unit 2: Large Animal Hospital Management
Objective 1: Perform daily cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of hospital areas
Objective 2: Complete medical records accurately for various large animal species
Objective 3: Conduct large animal physical examinations and identify normal vs. abnormal parameters.
Objective 4: Understand large animal diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound
Unit 3: Horses in Veterinary Practice
Objective 1: Describe basic equine husbandry including housing, hoof care, and vaccinations.
Objective 2: Demonstrate equine restraint, TPR collection, blood draws, injections, and bandaging techniques.
Objective 3: Understand common equine surgical procedures and maintain aseptic technique.
Objective 4: Identify clinical signs, treatment, and prevention of common equine diseases
Unit 4: Cattle in Veterinary Medicine
Objective 1: Discuss bovine management systems and biosecurity in dairy/beef operations.
Objective 2: Perform physical exams and common procedures (blood draw, oral meds, injections).
Objective 3: Understand technician support surgical interventions (displaced abomasum, cesarean, dehorning) in field and clinical settings.
Objective 4: Recognize and apply knowledge of zoonotic and economic diseases in cattle (e.g., mastitis, BVD, Johne’s).
Unit 5: Sheep and Goats in Veterinary Medicine
Objective 1: Compare husbandry needs and behaviors of ovine vs. caprine species.
Objective 2: Restrain and perform clinical techniques including hoof trimming, injections, and blood draws.
Objective 3: Understand common procedures like disbudding, castration, and dystocia management.
Objective 4: Identify signs, prevention, and treatment of common diseases and parasites.
Unit 6: Swine in Veterinary Practice
Objective 1: Describe commercial vs. small-scale swine husbandry systems and biosecurity.
Objective 2: Understand restraint, medication administration, and sample collection in pigs.
Objective 3: Understand common swine procedures such as ear notching, castration, and lameness exams.
Objective 4: Identify clinical signs and control strategies for common diseases.
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