VETS 422 - Breeding Colony Mgt & Disease

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

Breeding Colony Management and Disease: This course builds on the introductory rodent techniques with a special focus on genetics, breeding schemes\techniques, colony logistics and specialized care\husbandry for rodent breeding colonies. Students completing this course will have a solid foundation in laboratory animal production, preparing them for upper-level technical jobs and AALAS Technician Certification at the LAT level.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Successfully operate as breeding colony technicians to care for and ensure future of rodent colonies
Understand the need for regulatory consult as it applies to rodent breeding colony care and operation
Successfully carry out the husbandry and care needed to keep animals healthy and cared for
Plan logistics and anticipate colony needs based on biological data for each species housed
Decipher best breeding scheme for animals housed and anticipated colony growth
Under minimal supervision, administer forms for temporary and permanent identification methods to colony animals
Establish and maintain breeder paperwork and record management system
Perform breeder specific documentation on breeder records and cage cards
Choose the appropriate genetic\breeding technologies and understand their use\need in different situations
Identify colony needs and make logical suggestions for improvement
Collect and analyze vaginal cytology samples to assist with timed-matings
Able to assess animal health, create differential diagnosis list, and work through available resources to identify and eliminate pathogens within the colony
Carry out necessary colony health monitoring procedures, through the use of sentinels. Rotate sentinel animals, collect samples at required intervals and interpret results.