DO0156, Veterinary nursing in animal healthcare 2, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: PN-VH, 2025-11-11
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Veterinary Nursing

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

Swedish

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The course intends to further prepare the student for clinical work in animal healthcare, focusing on horses, dogs, cats and to some extent exotic pets.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to

• describe commonly occurring illnesses in certain organ systems and identify and describe their associated nursing needs,
• design and review nursing care plans for animals with illness/illnesses in different organ systems,
• propose and justify the choice of diet, as well as describe nutritional supply to animals with special nutritional needs,
• describe basic nursing needs in the geriatric animal,
• describe treatments and preventive measures in dental care,
• describe commonly used analyses within clinical chemistry, describe and perform basic laboratory quality work and describe the most common sources of error in the work with analyses within clinical chemistry,
• describe the different diagnostic imaging methods, assess technical quality of radiographs and theoretically apply radiation protection legislation and correct patient positioning in radiographical work,
• reflect on the importance of communicative skills and apply communicative skills in the professional role as veterinary nurse.

Content

Subject-related content
The course covers pathology, pathophysiology, clinical signs of illness, clinical chemistry and other diagnostics, as well as general treatment and special nursing needs associated to illness in the following organ systems: the endocrine organs, the musculoskeletal apparatus and the digestive organs, including exocrine glands and teeth. The course also covers review and design of nursing care plans for animals with illness/illnesses in different organ systems. The course includes common illnesses and basic nursing needs of exotic pets and geriatric patients, as well as oncology. Feeding of sick animals and animals in rehabilitation is addressed in the course. The course also covers clinical chemistry as well as diagnostic imagining with a focus on radiology. Communication skills are also practised in the course.

Teaching formats
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:

Lectures, seminars, and exercises.

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and oral communication.

The following components are compulsory:
Some seminars and exercises.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Passed written examination and approved participation in compulsory components.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Clinical Sciences

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Veterinary Nursing programme

The Course Replaces

DO0136

Other Information

The entry requirement of 6 credits nutritional physiology and feed science may be fulfilled through completed course Nutritional physiology and feed science (DO0128/DO0088/DO0108).