Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed to introduce the student to the wide range of infectious and non-infectious diseases and disorders of dogs and cats. The student will develop knowledge of the scientific name; the common name(s); the species affected; the age, sex, and breed predisposition; the etiology/pathogenesis; the clinical signs; the diagnostic tests and the basis for the diagnosis; the treatment; the prognosis, and the prevention for each disease presented.  

This is a three credit-hour course that meets for three-lecture hours per week.  

It 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 textbook required for this course, although The Merck Veterinary Manual is recommended as a reference book. 

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

• Recognize and discuss the diverse types of diseases, disease processes, and disorders that occur in small animals.
• Recognize the scientific name, common name, etiology, signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the major diseases of small animals.
• Classify diseases occurring in the following organ systems:  gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, metabolic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and integumentary systems.
• Recognize  and discuss the primary clinical diseases occurring in caged birds.
• Recognize and discuss the primary neoplastic diseases of small animals.
• Recognize the description, location, species, age, and/or breed predisposition, special considerations, and treatment for common tumors occurring in small animals.

This course is designed to be a lecture-only course. Lecture topics concerning dogs and cats will be covered in a systematic order based on body organ systems. Topics covered will be infectious diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, metabolic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and integumentary systems of the dog and cat. An overview of avian diseases, theriogenology, and oncology will be included. Diseases and disease processes will be covered in order based on species and organ systems.

Grades will be based on the student understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic lecture examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, a comprehensive final exam, and by attendance.  In order to receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 80 percent of each of the lecture classes.  

1.0  SMALL ANIMAL DISEASES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the following diseases, disease processes, and disorders that occur in small animals.

1.1   Discuss or describe for each disease listed in this section (1.0), the following items:

a.    Scientific name (s)

b.    Common name (s)

c.    Species affected

d.    Age Predisposition

e.    Sex Predisposition

f.    Breed Predisposition

g.    Etiology/Pathogenesis

h.    Clinical signs

i.    Diagnosis (based on)

j.    Treatment

k.    Prevention

Note:  Some of the above items will be left blank. For example, a disease that is non-infectious will not usually have a mode of transmission.

1.2   Infectious diseases: fill in the list (items a – items k from the above Section 1.1) for each of the following diseases:

a.    Canine Distemper

b.    Infectious Canine Hepatitis

c.    Leptospirosis

d.    Infectious Tracheobronchitis

e.    Canine Parvovirus Enteritis

f.    Canine Coronavirus Enteritis

g.    Rabies

h.    Salmon Poisoning

i.    Elokomin Fluke Fever

j.    Salmonellosis

k.    Canine Brucellosis

l.    Coccidioidomycosis

m.    Lyme Borreliosis

n.    Tropical Canine Pancytopenia

o.    Panleukopenia

p.    Feline Upper Respiratory Disease Complex

q.    Toxoplasmosis 

r.    Feline Infectious Peritonitis

s.    Feline Infectious Anemia

t.    Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Infection

u.    Tropical Canine Pancytopenia

v.    Canine Herpesvirus

w.    Spontaneous Feline Ataxia

x     Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection

y.    Feline Syncytium-Forming Virus (FeSFV) Infection

z.    Campylobacteriosis

1.3   Respiratory diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases:

a.    Rhinitis

b.    Sinusitis

c.    Tracheal Collapse

d.    Bronchial Asthma

e.    Bronchitis

f.    Pneumonia

g.    Pulmonary Edema

h.    Pneumothorax

i.    Chylothorax

j.    Hemothorax

k.    Pyothorax

l.    Diaphragmatic Hernia

1.4   Digestive system diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases:

a.    Stomatitis

b.    Labial Granuloma

c.    Periodontal Disease

d.    Megaesophagus/Achalasia

e.    Persistent Right Aortic Arch

f.    Gastritis

g.    Differential Diagnosis of vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation

h.    Gastric Dilation/Torsion Syndrome

i.    Colitis

j.    Megacolon

1.5   Cardiac system diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

a.    Congestive Heart Failure

b.    Patent Ductus Arteriosis

c.    Tetrology of Fallot

1.6   Liver diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases, unless otherwise noted:

a.    Causes of Icterus and Jaundice

b.    Liver Disease

1.7   Hemic diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

a.    Anemia

b.    Blood Coagulation Disorders

c.    Autoimmunine Hemolytic Anemia

d.    Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

e.    Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

f.    Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy

1.8   Endocrine system diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

a.    Diabetes Mellitus

b.    Diabetes Insipidus

c.    Hypothyroidism

            d.    Hypoadrenalcorticism

e.    Hyperadrenalcorticism

1.9   Urinary Diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders, unless otherwise stated:

a.    List and briefly describe the three diseases of dogs classified as Congenital Urinary Disorders which are all characterized by thin renal cortices.

            b.    Acute Renal Diseases

            c.    Glomerulonephritis

            d.    Pyelonephritis

            e.    Chronic Renal Disease

            f.    Cystitis-urolithiasis in the cat

            g.    Cystitis-urolithiasis in the dog

1.10  Genital disease: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders, unless otherwise stated:

a.    Prostatitis

b.    List and briefly describe the following disorders of the penis and prepuce:

1.    Fractured os penis

2.    Balanthoposthitis

3.    Transmissible Venereal Tumor

4.    Cryptorchidism

c.    List and briefly describe the following disorders of the ovaries:

1.    Oophoritis

2.    Follicular Cyst

3.    Lutein Cysts

4.    Neoplasia

d.    Acute Metritis

e.    Pyometra

f.    Vulvo-vaginitis

1.11  Integumentary system disease: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders, unless otherwise stated:

a.    Pyoderma

b.    Seborrhea

c.    Allergic Skin Disease

d.    Feline Acne

e.    Otitis Externa, Media, Interna

f.    Aural Hematoma (briefly describe only)

g.    Pemphigus

1.12  Nervous system diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

a.    Seizuring Disorders

b.    Polyradiculoneuritis

c.    Tick Paralysis

1.13  Diseases characterized by pain: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

            a.    Pancreatitis

            b.    Thoraco-lumbar Disc Syndrome

            c.    Cervical Disc Disease

d.    Spondylolithesis, Discospondylitis, Spondylosis Deformans

1.14  Musculo-skeletal system diseases: Fill in the list (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following diseases/disorders:

a.    Osteochondritis Dessicans

b.    Eosinophilic Panosteitis

c.    Ununited Anconeal Process

d.    Avascular Necrosis of the femoral head

e.    Hypertrophic Osteopathy

f.    Osteomyelitis

g.    Osteosarcoma

h.    Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint

i.    Eosinophilic Myositis

j.    Atrophic Myositis

2.0   THERIOGENOLOGY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of parturition and dystocia.

OBJECTIVES:

2.1   For the following disorders fill in the lists (Items a – Items k from the above Section 1.1) for the following disorders:

a.    Hypocalcemic Tetany

b.    Dystocia

2.2   Define and list the causes of the following in small animals:

a.    Maternal Dystocia

b.    Fetal Dystocia

2.3   List the breed predilections for the above dystocias listed in 2.2.

2.4   Define what is meant by the following terms: “presentation”, “position”, and “posture.”

2.5   Describe the variations in the normal delivery in small animals.

2.6   Discuss the criteria for the diagnosis of dystocia in small animals.

2.7   Describe the methods used to treat dystocia in small animals, include the drugs used, manual assistance, instrument extraction, and caesarian section.

2.8   Discuss the nutritional needs of the fetus and the mother, which is necessary for the normal delivery, and health of both.

2.9   Discuss the condition known as eclampsia, how to recognize it, prevent it, and treat it.

2.10  Discuss the proper methods of caring for the neonatal animal, in terms of or after a normal delivery vs. a caesarian section.

2.11  Discuss False Pregnancy, how to recognize and treat it.

3.0   AVIAN DISEASES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge about diseases, the disease processes, and disorders which occur in caged birds.

OBJECTIVES:

3.1   Using an organ system approach, discuss the subsequent diseases and disorders

a.    Integument

                        1.    Characteristics of bird skin

                  2.    Knemidocoptes infestation

3.    Tumors and growths in birds, such as xanthomas feather cysts, preen gland problems, dermal cysts

                  4.    Pox

                  5.    Tuberculosis

                  6.    Feather problems

1. Anatomy
2. Growth stages
3.  Feather picking and its causes

                7.    Lice Infestation

                8.    Abscesses

                9.    Wounds

               10.   Overgrown toenail

b.    Digestive Tract

      1.    Anatomy

2.    Mouth Disorders (Thrush)

3.    Crop Disorders (sour crop)

4.    Proventriculus Disorders

5.    Gizzard Disorders

6.    Intestinal Disorders (Enteritis)

7.    Trichomonias

8.    Coccidiosis

9.    Prolapse of the Cloaca

c..   Respiratory System

                  1.    Anatomy

2.    Diseases: Sinus infections, mycoplasmal and/or chlamydial infections, fungal infections, Vitamin A deficiency, and aspiration pneumonia.

d.    Other System Diseases

                  1.    Kidney diseases

                  2.    Lead/zinc poisoning

                  3.    Gout

                  4.    Neoplasia

                  5.    Hypothyroidism

6.    Reproductive disorders (egg bound, egg yolk peritonitis)

e.    Infectious Diseases

      1.    Psittacosis

      2.    Pacheco’s Virus

      3.    Papovaviros

4.    Pox

5.    Aspergillosis

4.0 ONCOLOGY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:

The goal is for the student to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the most common neoplastic diseases.

OBJECTIVES:

4.1   Define the following terms: neoplasia, benign, malignant, sarcoma, and carcinoma.

                        4.2   Describe embryonic germ layer classification of tumors.

4.3   Understand the description, location, species, age, and/or breed predisposition, special consideration, and treatment for the following types of tumors:

a.    Cutaneous papilloma

b.    Oral papilloma

c.    Meibomian gland adenoma

d.    Sebaceous gland tumor

e.    Perianal gland adenoma and adenocarcinoma

f.    Squamous cell carcinoma

g.    Adenocarcinoma of the alimentary tract

h.    Adenocarcinoma of the upper respiratory tract

i.    Adenocarcinoma of the lung

j.    Mast cell tumor

k.    Malignant Melanoma

l.    Histiocytoma

m.    Chondrosarcoma or chondroma

n.    Melanoma

o.    Mammary tumors

4.4   List the seven cytological criteria for the diagnosis of cancer.