Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

In this course the student will begin to develop the skills necessary to function safely as a veterinary technician around the various types of livestock species.

This is designed for first year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Describe basic characteristics of common breeds of livestock species.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the livestock industry as it pertains to various livestock species.
3. Recognize the digestive systems of various livestock species, including the functions of individual organs and the overall digestive process.
4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of livestock nutrition.
5. Recognize normal behaviors of livestock species.
6. Identify safe and humane handling, restraint, and nursing techniques utilized in various livestock species.
7. Describe various perspectives on contentious issues in animal agriculture and medicine.
8. Complete all essential skills found in this course as indicated by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.  

This course is designed to be a lecture and laboratory course. It is a four-credit-hour course that meets for six-lecture hours per week and six-lab hours per week.

Topics covered will be classification of livestock, digestive systems and basic nutrition, beef cattle, llamas and alpacas, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, goats, horses, rabbits, poultry, genetics and reproduction, and animal rights.

Grades will be based on the student ’s understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic lecture examinations, laboratory exercises, a comprehensive final exam, and by attendance. Also in order to receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 80 percent of each of the lecture and laboratory classes.

1.0 CLASSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK  

OBJECTIVES:  

1.1 Describe the zoological method and the differences between mammals and birds.
1.2 Describe the type and breed method.
1.3 Describe the breed purity method and discuss purebred, crossbred and grading up.
1.4 Describe the market method based on age, sex, weight and grade and understand the various terms for each classification. Discuss dressed weight.  

2.0 DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS AND BASIC NUTRITION  

OBJECTIVES:  

2.1 Discuss differences between carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores.  
2.2 Discuss and illustrate the parts of a ruminant digestive system and how it differs in the newborn.  
2.3 Discuss basic rumen breakdown of feeds, why and how bloat occurs and common treatment objectives.  
2.4 Discuss and illustrate the parts of a monogastric digestive system and how each part contributes to digestion.  
2.5 Discuss various nutrition terms used on the farm – concentrates, roughage, feed efficiency, free choice, guaranteed analysis, dry matter, etc. 
2.6 Discuss common feed additives and their place in animal feeds.  
2.7 Define and describe the six basic nutrients, their sources, functions and deficiency symptoms or diseases.  

3.0 BEEF CATTLE  

OBJECTIVES:  

3.1 Discuss the origin of beef cattle and the differences between European, American, and Exotic breeds.  
3.2 Students will be expected to identify and describe three characteristics such as temperament, fertility, carcass quality, popularity and origin of at least eleven common breeds of beef cattle.  
3.3 Discuss average beef statistics such as birth weight, productive life, gestation, estrous cycle, body temperature and age.  
3.4 Describe management systems – fall vs. spring calving, different breeding methods, production goals and taking pelvic measurements. 
3.5 Describe three production systems: cow/calf; stocker system; and feedlot system.  
3.6 Discuss pros and cons of purebred vs. commercial beef operations and goals of each.  
3.7 Discuss the following beef cattle traits: conformation, carcass traits, EPD’s and milk production.  
3.8 Discuss and illustrate how embryo transfers can help improve a breed.  
3.9 Discuss consumer trends and how they influence changes in a breed and its production.
3.10 Discuss and show visual aids depicting various calving presentations and associated problems.
3.11 Discuss routine health care issues and herd health programs, i.e. deworming, vaccination, etc.  

4.0 LLAMAS AND ALPACAS  

OBJECTIVES:  

4.1 Describe the camelid family and emphasis on the South American camelids (SAC), the llama, Alpaca, Guanaco, and Vicuna.  
4.2 Discuss the llama’s behavior, different sounds they make, berserk llama syndrome and how llamas are raised.  
4.3 Discuss common restraint methods especially for veterinary procedures.  
4.4 Discuss vital statistics, size, breeds, and various SAC terminology.  
4.5 Discuss different breeding methods and how pregnancy is determined. Students will view a slide series on the birth of an alpaca, which includes the three stages of delivery; newborn cria care, common vaccinations and signs of prematurity.  
4.6 Discuss the production uses of fiber and how it is marketed, breeding operation and value of offspring, pets, packing, and meat production.  
4.7 Discuss nutritional requirements and how to feed a SAC for work, maintenance, or pregnancy.  
4.8 List and describe via slides some common health care routines i.e. vaccinations, fighting teeth removal, trimming feet, etc.  

5.0 SHEEP  

OBJECTIVES:  

5.1 Explain the distribution of sheep population throughout the world, and particularly where the USA ranks.  
5.2 Discuss current marketing and consumer trends in the sheep industry.  
5.3 Students must identify seven major sheep breeds, learn three characteristics of each breed, and be able to identify sheep anatomy.  
5.4 Discuss and describe behavior, sheep restraint methods, and various terminology associated with the sheep and wool industry.  
5.5 Describe sheep vital statistics.  
5.6 Describe the characteristics of wool, its quality and wool processing and grading.  
5.7 Discuss the sheep’s reproductive cycle, gestation, and breeding systems.  
5.8 Describe the difference between fine wool breeds, crossbred wool breeds, long wool breeds, and meat breeds.  
5.9 Discuss the four basic sheep production systems as follows: Purebred System, Milkfed Lamb Production, Feeder Lamb Production and Fattening Feeder Lambs System.  
5.10 Describe one year in the life of a sheep producer, emphasizing herd health requirements, feeding, shearing, lambing and lamb care.
5.11 Discuss and describe the different methods of pregnancy diagnosis in ewes.
5.12 List and discuss common sheep problems and diseases.  

6.0 SWINE  

OBJECTIVES:  
6.1 Discuss swine population and production in the world and USA .  
6.2 Students must learn major swine anatomy, at least six swine breeds and characteristics of each.
6.3 Describe swine behavior, hog loading, sow hysteria, etc.
6.4 Learn vital statistics and terminology related to swine.
6.5 Describe swine reproduction, including, estrous cycles, how swine are bred, hard mating, A-I, teasing posture and pen breeding.
6.6 Discuss purebred vs. crossbred systems and how the 2 breed, 3 breed, and 4 breed systems are used.
6.7 Describe two types of production systems - purebred production vs. commercial production.
6.8 Discuss market predictability.
6.9 Learn about composition of swine feeds and how to feed a pig.
6.10 Discuss major swine diseases, newborn pig care and common vaccinations.

7.0 DAIRY CATTLE

OBJECTIVES:
7.1 Explain dairy industry trends and cow population in USA .
7.2 Students are taught basic dairy cow anatomy. They must identify five common breeds and describe at least three characteristics of each breed.
7.3 Discuss general behavior, restraint, and safety issues when working with cattle.
7.4 Discuss vital statistics and dairy terminology, including calving interval, DHIA test sheets and how to select or judge a dairy cow.
7.5 Discuss reproduction, A—I Service vs. Natural Service, how to recognize a cow in estrus, and the goals of a dairy herd health service.
7.6 Describe the three stages of parturition and newborn calf care.
7.7 Discuss production uses of dairy cows, i.e. meat, milk, breeding.
7.8 Discuss milk composition, colostrum composition, bulk tank sampling, various milk quality tests, SCC, CMT, and WMT.
7.9 Describe milk marketing and the differences between Grade A and Grade B milk. Discuss the three classes of milk and their uses for the consumer.
7.10 Students will learn about milk processing, pasteurizing, how cheese is made, and about homogenization.
7.11 Discuss a list of influences the farmer faces concerning milk production.
7.12 Describe how calves are raised on the farm from newborn/bred yearling heifer/lactating first calf heifer/dry cow/lactating cow.
7.13 Discuss proper milking procedures, parlor designs and housing.
7.14 Describe different feeding methods, commodity feeding, and types of feeds used.
7.15 List and discuss the three types of disease classes – metabolic, reproductive, and infectious.
7.16 Discuss routine health care issues and herd health programs, i.e. deworming, vaccination, etc.
 

8.0 GOATS
OBJECTIVES:
8.1 List common goat behavior traits and restraint methods.
8.2 Students will learn vital statistics, goat anatomy, about teeth development, aging and goat terminology.
8.3 Students must identify at least seven common goat breeds and list three characteristics of each. Students must be knowledgeable of dairy breeds, fleece breeds, meat breeds and pygmy breeds.
8.4 Discuss goat reproduction, flushing, buck care, how to recognize signs of estrus, and pregnancy diagnosis.
8.5 Describe goat parturition, newborn care, vaccinations and raising orphans.
8.6 Discuss three production systems – Fleece/Meat System, Pet System, and Dairy System.
8.7 Explain the differences between goat and cow’s milk, proper milking techniques, Grade A goat dairies, SCC, and row milk goat dairies.
8.8 Discuss basic health care, foot trimming, dehorning, and vaccinations.
8.9 Discuss proper feeding of goats and plant poisonings.
8.10 List and discuss common goat diseases.

9.0 HORSES
OBJECTIVES:
9.1 Describe horse populations and trends in the USA today.
9.2 Discuss common behavior and restrain methods.
9.3 List common vital statistics, including teeth eruption and aging.
9.4 List common terms used in the equine industry.
9.5 Students must learn major horse anatomy and be able to identify at least seven major horse breeds and know characteristics of each.
9.6 Discuss reproduction, signs of estrus, teasing, natural and A-I breeding. Foaling season, foal heat, mare culture, pregnancy diagnosis, foaling and foal care are also discussed.
9.7 Cold-blooded, hot-blooded and warm-blooded horse breeds are discussed.
9.8 Colors and markings of horses are described, including breed registries.
9.9 Ten common rules for proper feeding of horses are discussed.
9.10 Ten common rules for proper housing of horses are discussed.
9.11 Describe equine production systems for breeding, racing, pets, rodeo, show, and meat use.
9.12 List and discuss common horse diseases.

• Discuss the differences between donkeys, mules, jacks, jennets, and hinnies.

• Look at the teeth of a horse and tell its age.

• Discuss routine vaccination and worming programs.

• Discuss proper restraint methods.

10.0 RABBITS
OBJECTIVES:
10.1 Discuss the differences between rabbits and hares.
10.2 Domestic rabbits are divided into three breed classes – meat rabbits, fur rabbits, and pet or show rabbits.
10.3 Basic behavior and restraint is discussed.
10.4 Vital statistics and terminology is discussed.
10.5 Rabbit reproduction, breeding, kindling and sexing is discussed.
10.6 Production systems involve commercial meat, commercial fur, pet/show industry and research.
10.7 Students are taught proper feeding of the rabbit for pet and commercial use.
10.8 Common rabbit diseases are discussed.
10.9 Students must identify at least five major breeds and know common rabbit anatomy.
 

11.0 POULTRY, DUCKS, TURKEYS , RATITES, AND GEESE
OBJECTIVES:
11.1 Discuss consumer trends in the poultry industry.
11.2 Discuss common body parts of the avian class.
11.3 Identify at least two breeds of each species.
11.4 Discuss vital statistics and poultry terminology.
11.5 Discuss the avian digestive tract and respiratory system.
11.6 Describe avian reproduction, the egg-laying process, egg incubation, and egg parts.
11.7 Discuss the broiler production system on a commercial basis.
11.8 Discuss egg production system on a commercial basis and as a small farm hobby.
11.9 Discuss egg classifications, marketing of eggs and spent hens.
11.10 Discuss feeding differences for the different species and common requirements.
11.12 Describe common avian diseases and customary problems with pet birds.
 

12.0 GENETICS/REPRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES:
12.1 Students must be able to identify common reproductive parts of the cow and bull and know the function of each part.
12.2 Discuss the four types of placentas seen in mammals – cotyledonary, diffuse, zonary, and discoidal. Students learn how the placenta is formed including the amnion, allantois and the structures making up the umbilical cord.
12.3 Discuss common livestock breeding systems such as inbreeding, line breeding, close breeding, line crossing, out crossing, cross breeding, and hybrid vigor.
12.4 Discuss cellular mitosis, meiosis, zygote formation, and how sex of the offspring is determined in aves and mammals.
12.5 Discuss chromosome numbers in wolf hybrids and mules.
12.6 Discuss basic punnet square calculations to predict gene characteristics. Sex-linked genes, mutations and genetic engineering are also to be discussed.
12.7 Discuss dominant vs. recessive traits, lethal traits, etc.
 

13.0 ANIMAL RIGHTS
OBJECTIVES:
13.1 Discuss where farmers, veterinarians and veterinarian technicians stand as far as their approval rating with the various animals rights groups.
13.2 Discuss the reformist vs. animal rights groups,
13.3 Discuss Rollins’ book, “Farm Animal Welfare.”
13.4 Discuss PCC’s Animal Rehabilitation Program with respect to the various animals used in the Vet Tech Program.
13.5 Common group discussion topics include:

• Tail docking 5-day old pups without anesthetic
• Using dogs for medical research
• Euthanasia in veterinary practices
• Dehorning a 4-month old steer with or without anesthetic