Syllabus
Preveterinary Medicine
Week One: Introductions
  • creation of portfolios
  • scavenger hunt (ice-breaking activity)
  • survey
  • different roles of veterinarians
  • So you Want to Be a Vet? discussion

Week Two: The Skeletal System
  • directional terms in anatomy
  • joints, bones, girdles, skeleton
  • hip dysplasia, arthritis, orthopedic surgery, lyme disease

Week Three: The Cardiovascular System
  • arteries, veins, capillaries
  • circulatory routes
  • blood and its components
  • the heart
  • heart disease, heartworm

Week Four: The Respiratory System
  • lungs, surface area, red blood cells
  • dissociation curves, CO2 and O2 loading and unloading
  • feline asthma, upper respiratory problems, kennel cough, pneumonia

Week Five: Digestive System
  • small animal vs. large animal comparison and evolutionary significance
  • parts of the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine)
  • teeth and associated problems
  • accessory organs (liver, pancreas, gall bladder) and secretions
  • liver failure, diarrhea, gastric torsions, parasites

Week Six: Reproductive and Excretory Systems
  • male and female reproductive systems
  • spaying and neutering (procedure and importance)
  • urinary system (kidneys, bladder)
  • tumors, C sections, kidney failure, bladder problems

Week Seven: Integumentary System
  • skin and ears
  • fleas, ticks, dermatitis, yeast infections, tumors, ottis media
  • ear docking and tail cropping

Week Eight: Diagnostic Procedures 1
  • taking a history and good questioning skills
  • physical examination (palpation, temperatures, weigh-in)
  • normal values
  • abnormal physical examinations (tumors, lymph nodes)

Week Nine: Diagnostic Procedures 2
  • bloodwork, fecals, heartworm tests, urinalysis, Xrays
  • normal values
  • ultrasound, MRI, presurgical bloodwork, exploratory surgery

Weeks Ten through Thirteen: Case Studies
  • application of anatomical information and diagnostic procedures to problem-solve with case studies
  • working in groups (4 students per group) working on one case study per week

Week Fourteen: Research Project
  • investigation of disease/disorder/problem that affects large or small animals
  • 5-8 page research paper

Week Fifteen: Next Steps to Becoming a Vet
  • college coursework to prepare for vet school
  • locations, entry requirements, and contacts for vet school
  • summer programs for high school and college students
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