VET102L — Veterinary Clinical Practices I
This course introduces veterinary technology students to the foundational principles and procedures used in the veterinary laboratory. Lecture content covers laboratory safety, OSHA protocols, microscopy, specimen collection, and the fundamentals of diagnostic analysis. Students will explore basic clinical chemistry in relation to organ systems and disease, as well as key concepts in parasitology, including life cycles and mechanisms of pathogenicity. The laboratory portion emphasizes hands-on skills in microscope handling, blood chemistry assays, urinalysis, hematology, fecal analysis, and parasite identification in fecal, blood, and skin specimens. Principles of diagnostic procedures—such as venipuncture, specimen handling, quality assessment, and proper packaging for in-house or reference laboratory submission—are reinforced throughout the course. Upon completion, students will possess entry-level laboratory skills that can be applied directly in a clinical setting.