Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The purpose of this course is to teach the veterinary technology student about the principles of public health and sanitation, epidemiology, immunology, biologicals, and zoonotic diseases in order to provide the knowledge for them to assist in the prevention of the spread of animal-to-man and animal-to-animal contagious diseases.  

This is designed for second year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology. Credits in this course are not transferable to a four year school towards a baccalaureate degree.

There is no specific textbook required for this course.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Discuss the concepts and causes of disease transmission through populations of animals.
• Recognize diseases and how they can occur due to a lack of food hygiene or inadequate handling and storage of food and water.  
• Describe the etiologic agents, clinical signs, zoonotic potential, treatment and control measures to prevent dissemination of infectious diseases spreading via the food supply.
• Describe the etiologic agents, vectors, clinical signs (animals and human), zoonotic potential, treatments, and prevention strategies for managing animal diseases which are transferable to humans.
• Recognize immunological principles and assist with the appropriate use of common vaccines in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. 

This course is designed to be a lecture course. It is a one credit-hour course that meets for one lecture hour per week.  

Topics covered will be general principles of epidemiology, food hygiene, zoonotic diseases, immunology and biologicals (vaccines).

Grades will be based on the student’s understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic examinations and one comprehensive final exam, and by attendance. To receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 70 percent of each of the lecture classes.

1.0  INTRODUCTION

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of epidemiology.

OBJECTIVES:

1.1  Discuss the study of epidemiology and the spread of disease.

2.0 FOOD HYGIENE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of diseases that occur due  to a lack of food hygiene or inadequate handling and storage of food and water.  

OBJECTIVES:

2.1 For the diseases, describe the etiologic agent, clinical signs, zoonotic potential, treatment and control measures to prevent dissemination in the food supply.

3.0  ZOONOTIC DISEASE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of diseases can be spread across species including humans.

OBJECTIVES:

3.1  For all of the zoonotic parasitic, fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases and/or agents, describe the etiologic agent, vector, clinical signs (both animals and human), zoonotic potential, and treatment.  

4.0  ZOONOTIC DISEASE AND REGULATORY MEDICINE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of diseases can be spread across species including humans. The student must also describe regulatory control and government procedures where applicable.

OBJECTIVES:

4.1 For TB, rabies, and brucellosis, describe the etiologic agent, vector, clinical signs (both animals and human), zoonotic potential, and treatment. Understand government regulations for prevention and control. 

5.0  IMMUNOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL USE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of immunology as it relates to the use of biologicals. The student must also understand the appropriate use of common vaccines in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. 

OBJECTIVES:

5.1 Review principles of immunology including types of hypersensitivity and transfer of antibodies in animals.

5.2 Define antigen, antibody, toxoid, vaccines and types, and immunity.

5.3 For the vaccines used in dogs, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity.

5.4 For the vaccines used in cats, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity. Understand the recommendations of the AAFP. 

5.5 For the vaccines used in horses, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity.

5.6 For the vaccines used in cattle, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity and vaccine protocol varies greatly region to region.

5.7 For the vaccines used in sheep and goats, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity.

5.8 For the vaccines in pigs, describe the protocol used to immunize. Understand the duration of immunity.