VETS 481 - Applied Primatology

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Laboratory Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): None

Restriction(s): Restricted to students enrolled in the BS Veterinary Technology major or permission of instructor.

Corequisite(s): None

This course gives students a unique, hands-on experience working with and caring for primates. Students will gain in-depth insight into the care and maintenance of a primate colony with special focus on husbandry, colony healthcare, environmental enrichment and the promotion of psychological wellbeing. The students will gain proficiency in multiple techniques including restraint, injections, catheter placement, dentistry, blood collection, TB testing and anesthesia. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of how a primate colony operates. Students will be expected to perform behavioral assessments and advanced healthcare requirements as instructed in order to ensure the proper care of our colony. Students will have hands-on experience unlike any other as no other Veterinary Technology programs have a colony of primates for teaching and training.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Confidently discuss primate classification and distinguishing characteristics
Discuss primate biology and examples of biomedical advancements through the use of primates
Discuss common primate diseases in regards to clinical signs, zoonotic potential and possible treatments
Understand the risks involved in working with primates and methods to prevent exposure\maintain a safe primate area
Demonstrate where to access regulatory information and understand what is mandated
Successfully carry out the husbandry and care needed to keep animals healthy and cared for
Show proficiency in cage transfer and restraint techniques
Collect medical\health-related data with minimal supervision
Successfully give injections, place catheters and administer drugs\medications as directed
Collect, analyze and interpret samples collected from the colony to assess animal health
Administer TB test and have working knowledge of test analysis\interpretation
Anesthetize, collect dental radiographs and perform dental prophylaxis as directed
Collect and analyze vaginal cytology
Make and portion species-specific enrichment for daily foraging and mental stimulation
Identify individual animal needs, implement ideas for behavioral modification and assess for improvement
Comfortable accessing and operating under institutional guidelines
Proper use of laser and administration of therapy as directed