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 64 and AGHE 86 and rabies vaccination series or titer required. See notes in Course Description below.

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: AGHE 86 and ASCI 51

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

Course Schedule

AGHE 84B  Applied Animal Health Procedures

1 Unit (Degree Applicable)
Lab: 54
Prerequisite: AGHE 64 and ASCI 51 . Rabies vaccination series or titer required. See notes in Course Description below.

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 and Completion of the Registered Veterinary Technology program.

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
Prerequisite: BIOL 4 or BIOL 4H. Rabies vaccine required. See notes below.

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. 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 90A  Work Experience in Registered Veterinary Technology - Shelter Medicine Rotation

1 Unit (Degree Applicable, CSU)
(May be taken four times for credit)
(May be taken for Pass/No Pass only)
Prerequisite: 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.
Formerly: AGHE 83A

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. Supervised clinical rotation in a shelter medicine setting. Students will apply foundational veterinary nursing skills such as animal restraint, vaccination protocols, and sanitation procedures in high-volume, fast-paced environments. Emphasis is placed on disease prevention, shelter protocols, and patient safety. A minimum of 54 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit per AVMA accreditation standards recommendation. 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 (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html) and AVMA policies (https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/committee-veterinary-technician-education-activities/cvtea-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-appendix-a)

Course Schedule

AGHE 90B  Work Experience in Registered Veterinary Technology - Specialty Rotation

1 Unit (Degree Applicable)
(May be taken four times for credit)
(May be taken for Pass/No Pass only)
Prerequisite: AGHE 90A and 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. Supervised clinical rotation in specialty veterinary practice settings such as dermatology, cardiology, oncology, or equine. Students will develop proficiency in specialty-specific procedures including client intake, chart preparation, and targeted patient care techniques. Emphasis is placed on understanding referral-based workflows and expanding clinical competency in advanced care environments. A minimum of 54 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit per AVMA accreditation standards recommendation. 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 (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html) and AVMA policies (https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/committee-veterinary-technician-education-activities/cvtea-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-appendix-a)

Course Schedule

AGHE 90C  Work Experience in Registered Veterinary Technology - Small Animal Rotation

1 Unit (Degree Applicable)
(May be taken four times for credit)
(May be taken for Pass/No Pass only)
Prerequisite: AGHE 60 and AGHE 90B and Instructor approval required. Students must have completed at least one-third of the units for the related program or be concurrently enrolled in a class in a program related to the work experience course. Students must provide documentation of full rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled. See notes in Course Description below.

Supervised clinical rotation in a small animal hospital setting where students apply veterinary nursing skills, assist with patient care, perform technical procedures, and participate in medical recordkeeping. Emphasis on clinical efficiency, communication, and case management in a real-world veterinary practice. A minimum of 54 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit per American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation standards recommendation. 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 Board Policy (BP) and Administrative Procedure (AP) 5210 and requirements mandated by AVMA. The cost for two-dose rabies vaccination is approximately $850-$1,050 (prices are subject to change), and both doses are required. Additional information available at CDC Information (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html) and AVMA policies (https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/committee-veterinary-technician-education-activities/cvtea-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-appendix-a)

Course Schedule

AGHE 90D  Work Experience in Registered Veterinary Technology - Emergency Medicine Rotation

1.5 Units (Degree Applicable)
(May be taken four times for credit)
(May be taken for Pass/No Pass only)
Prerequisite: AGHE 61 and AGHE 90C and Instructor approval required. Students must have completed at least one-third of the units for the related program or be concurrently enrolled in a class in a program related to the work experience course. Students must provide documentation of full rabies vaccination series or titer prior to being enrolled. See notes in Course Description below.

Supervised clinical rotation in emergency and critical care settings. Students assist with triage, stabilization, inpatient care, and monitoring of hospitalized animals. Emphasis on practical skills, rapid decision-making, and teamwork in high-pressure environments. A minimum of 54 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit per American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation standards recommendation. 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 Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 5210 and requirements mandated by AMVA. 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 (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html) and AVMA policies (https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/committee-veterinary-technician-education-activities/cvtea-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-appendix-a)

Course Schedule