The newly revised and updated Fourth Edition of Assessing Essential Skills of Veterinary Technology Students provides a comprehensive review of the required American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA®) essential skills for completion of a veterinary technology degree. Each essential skill includes assessment criteria as well as decision-making instructions necessary to demonstrate proficiency both academically and professionally.

The text is organized based on the categories provided by the AVMA CVTEA, making it easy for an instructor and students to locate the assessment criteria for a particular essential skill relative to their course.

Several guidelines from veterinary organizations regarding standard of care in veterinary medicine have been updated since the publication of the previous edition, including 2018 A AHA Infection Control, Prevention and Biosecurity Guidelines, 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stages Guidelines, 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stages Guidelines, 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines, 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines, and others.

Written by highly qualified authors, Assessing Essential Skills of Veterinary Technology Students includes assessment criteria that addresses the knowledge, decision-making capabilities, and hands-on skills for the following:

The Fourth Edition of Assessing Essential Skills of Veterinary Technology Students is an essential study resource for all undergraduate students enrolled in an AVMA CVTEA accredited veterinary technology program and an excellent teaching resource for instructors of veterinary technology courses.

List of Contributors ix

Preface xi

About the Companion Website xiii

1 Veterinary Management 1
Jacquelyn Hickey, BS, LVT

1.1 Procedures and Policies 1

1.2 Communication Skills 4

1.3 Ethics and Jurisprudence 5

References 6

2 Pharmacology 7
Lisa E. Schenkel, DVM, CCRT, CVMA

2.1 Pharmacologic Fundamentals of Drug Administration 7

2.2 Pharmacy Essentials of Drug Dispensing 10

References 12

3 Medical Nursing 13
Lisa E. Schenkel, DVM, CCRT, CVMA, Sandra Lynn Bertholf, MS, LVT, and Howard Gittelman, MS, DVM

3.1 Assessment of the Veterinary Patient 13

3.2 Nursing Care of the Veterinary Patient 21

3.2.1 Husbandry of Common Domestic Species 21

3.2.2 Nutrition of Common Domestic Species 23

3.2.3 Therapeutics for Common Domestic Species 24

3.3 Dental Procedures in Small Animals 34

References 36

4 Anesthesia 39
Lisa E. Schenkel, DVM, CCRT, CVMA, Sandra Lynn Bertholf, MS, LVT, and Amanda Colón, DVM

4.1 Perioperative Management of the Veterinary Patient 39

4.2 Management and Use of Anesthetic Equipment 48

References 54

5 Surgical Nursing and Assisting 57
Sandra Lynn Bertholf, MS, LVT and Lisa E. Schenkel, DVM, CCRT, CVMA

5.1 Fundamentals of Common Surgical Procedures 57

5.2 Experience with Common Surgical Procedures 60

5.3 Management of the Veterinary Surgical Patient 60

5.4 Management of Surgical Equipment and Facilities 68

References 72

6 Clinical Laboratory Procedures 73
Lisa E. Schenkel, DVM, CCRT, CVMA, Amanda Colón, DVM, and Sandra Lynn Bertholf, MS, LVT

6.1 Management of Laboratory Specimens and Equipment 73

6.2 Diagnostic Laboratory Procedures 74

References 86

7 Radiography 89
Sandra Lynn Bertholf, MS, LVT

References 94

8 Laboratory Animal Care and Procedures 95
Nina Slivinsky, LVT, LATg

References 101

9 Avian, Exotic Animal, and Small Mammal Nursing 103
Annmarie Gonzalez, BS, LVT

References 110

Index 111

DVM, CCRT, CVMA, Program Director and Assistant Professor, Mercy University, Veterinary Technology Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY, US.

 

DVM, Assistant Professor, Mercy University, Veterinary Technology Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY, US.

 

MS, LVT, Associate Program Director and Assistant Professor, Mercy University, Veterinary Technology Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY, US.

 

DVM, Associate Professor, Mercy University, Veterinary Technology Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY, US.

 

MS, VT, Former Program Director and Former Associate Professor of Veterinary Technology (Retired), Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY, US.