Agriculture: Animal Health Technology (AGHE)

AGHE 54  Veterinary Office Procedures

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 54   
Prerequisite: (ENGL C1000 or ENGL 1A) or (ENGL C1000H or ENGL 1AH) or AMLA 1A) and (COMM C1000 or SPCH 1A) or (COMM C1000H or SPCH 1AH)

Veterinary medical records, client relations, medical terminology, filing of governmental reports, legal responsibilities of registered veterinary technicians, and veterinary medical ethics.

Course Schedule

AGHE 60  Medical Nursing and Animal Care

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 54   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: AGHE 62A and AGHE 64 and AGHE 86. Rabies vaccination series or titer required. See notes in Course Description below.

Animal examination for health and disease conditions in the animal hospital, including sanitation, administration of medicine, emergency treatment, therapeutic techniques, dental prophylaxis, venipuncture, electrocardiology, and application of casts, splints, and other appliances. Includes diseases both infectious and zoonotic, their causes and effects, and immunology of animals. Note: Students must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled, as required by Board Policy & Administrative Procedure 5210 and requirements mandated by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Instructions on submitting documentation are available at document submission instructions https://www.mtsac.edu/vettech/immunizations.html . Additional information available at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) information and AVMA accreditation policies.

Course Schedule

AGHE 61  Animal Surgical Nursing

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 54   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: AGHE 60 and Rabies vaccination series or titer required. See notes in Course Description below.

Surgical preparation, surgical assistance, post-operative care, administering and monitoring anesthesia, dentistry, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), sterilization, and the maintenance of a sterile environment. Note: Students must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled, as required by Board Policy 5210 and Administrative Procedure 5210 and requirements mandated by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Instructions on submitting documentation are available at https://www.mtsac.edu/vettech/immunizations.html. Additional information available at CDC Information and AVMA policies .

Course Schedule

AGHE 62A  Clinical Pathology

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 36   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: AGHE 86 and CHEM 40 and MICR 1 or MICR 22

Hematology, clinical chemistries, internal parasites, immunology, serology, and vaginal cytology of domestic animals.

Course Schedule

AGHE 62B  Clinical Pathology B

2 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 18   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: AGHE 62A and AGHE 86

Bacteriology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, external parasites, and cytology of domestic animals.

Course Schedule

AGHE 64  Veterinary Pharmacology

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 54   
Prerequisite: AGHE 86 and MATH 130 or MATH 160 or MATH 180

Pharmaceuticals and biologics commonly used in the maintenance of animal health. Includes generic terminology, abbreviations for prescriptions, labeling requirements, state and federal laws, classification of materials, weights and measures, drug dosage flow rates, pharmacological mathematics and the metric system, side effects, and drug interactions.

Course Schedule

AGHE 65  Veterinary Radiography

2 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 18   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: (AGAN 51 or ASCI 51) and AGHE 86 and AGHE 64

Concepts and skills of veterinary positioning of canine, feline, avian, reptilian species, and livestock for radiography; processing of the radiograph; radiation safety; technique and instrumentation; contrast radiography, dental radiology and advanced imaging such as ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, nuclear isotopes scans. Emphasizes performance of x-ray procedures for the veterinary practitioner. Note: Students must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled, as required by BP & AP 5210 and requirements mandated by American Veterinary Medical Association. The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Instructions on submitting documentation are available at document submission instructions. Additional information available at CDC information and AVMA accreditation policies.

Course Schedule

AGHE 79  Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 36   Lab: 54
Prerequisite: ASCI 51 or AGAN 51

Laboratory animal medicine, care, and procedures. Rules and regulations governing laboratory animals.

Course Schedule

AGHE 83A  Work Experience in Veterinary Technology

1-4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
(May be taken for Pass/No Pass only)
Prerequisite: AGAN 51 OR ASCI 51 and Instructor approval and Compliance with Work Experience regulations as designated in the College Catalog. Students must provide documentation of full rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled. See notes in Course Description below.​

This course is designed to provide Registered Veterinary Technician majors with actual on-the-job experience at an approved work station which is related to classroom instruction. A minimum of 60 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit. It is recommended that the hours per week are equally distributed throughout the semester. Instructor approval required. Note: Students must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled, as required by BP & AP 5210 and requirements mandated by American Veterinary Medical Association. The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Instructions on submitting documentation are available at https://www.mtsac.edu/vettech/immunizations.html . Additional information available at CDC Information and AVMA policies .

Course Schedule

AGHE 84B  Applied Animal Health Procedures

1 Unit (Degree Applicable)
Lab: 54
Prerequisite: (ASCI 51 or AGAN 51) and AGHE 64

A field study course that emphasizes practical experience in applied clinical procedures and techniques, including treatments, preventive health care, and minor surgical procedures with school owned domestic farm animals. Experiences with animals will vary due to seasonal changes and different husbandry practices during fall and spring. Note: Students must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled, as required by BP & AP 5210 and requirements mandated by American Veterinary Medical Association. The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Instructions on submitting documentation are available at document submission instructions. Additional information available at CDC information and AVMA accreditation policies.

Course Schedule

AGHE 85  Seminar in Registered Veterinary Technology

1 Unit (Degree Applicable)
Lecture: 18   
Prerequisite: AGHE 61

Prepares students for Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Includes exposure to the types of questions encountered in registration examinations, question analysis strategies, and review of important anatomical, physiological, and nursing concepts.

Course Schedule

AGHE 86  Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
Lecture: 54   Lab: 54
Advisory: BIOL 1

Analyzes the body structures and systems, comparing domestic animals commonly found in veterinary medicine. The physiology section emphasizes functions of internal organs and body systems.

Course Schedule