Online Courses Provided Through Colleges and Universities

 

 

    
      Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction
 
 
  « Veterinary Courses
 
Syllabus

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.


 Week One
Wednesday - Lesson 01
    In our first lesson, you'll learn how to select parents for your breeding program by using blood tests, radiographs, and physical examinations. I'll give you a primer on genetic disease and then finish by telling you all about management of the breeding pair, specifically vaccinations, deworming, and nutrition.
Friday - Lesson 02
    How well do you know the female dog's anatomy? Besides learning the difference between the uterus and the oviducts, we'll look at the physical abnormalities that plague the female dog. You'll also find out how to diagnose infections and how those infections can impact fertility.
 Week Two
Wednesday - Lesson 03
    Today, we'll turn our attention to the male dog. He's a far more important contributor to the gene pool than the female. We'll delve into reproductive diseases that strike the male, such as cryptorchidism and Brucellosis, and conclude with a look at maladies such as testicular and prostatic disease that strike the geriatric male.
Friday - Lesson 04
    When is the right time to breed a female dog? Though this is a simple question, the answer eludes many people. Today, we'll examine the reproductive (estrous) cycle of the female. You'll discover myriad ways to pinpoint the most productive time to breed.
 Week Three
Wednesday - Lesson 05
    In this lesson, we'll explore two methods of breeding—natural and artificial. You'll be able to tell when there are problems with natural mating. When we look at artificial insemination, you have to know how to collect and evaluate semen to ensure the male is fertile. We'll cover how to do this as well as techniques for insemination.
Friday - Lesson 06
    By now, the female has been bred and you expect a pregnancy. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen every time. In today's lesson, we'll focus on reasons for infertility in the female, such as pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.
 Week Four
Wednesday - Lesson 07
    We'll now turn our attention to the hormonal fluctuations that influence fertility. We'll examine silent heats, persistent estrus, and a variety of other abnormalities. We'll even go over a few problems with sexual behavior.
Friday - Lesson 08
    In this lesson, we'll review some of the important reasons for male infertility. You'll begin by finding out why the male may not want to mate, such as having arthritis in his spine. Next, we'll look at semen production and the negative effects of such things as prostate infections. We'll conclude the lesson with a review of a male reproductive examination.
 Week Five
Wednesday - Lesson 09
    Assuming everything has gone right, you now have a pregnant dog and you have to take care of her. What should she be fed? Should she be vaccinated? What diseases could strike her during this time? We'll look at two specific examples you need to watch for—diabetes and pregnancy toxemia.
Friday - Lesson 10
    Finally, it's puppy time! In today's lesson, you'll learn what to expect during whelping. You'll know what's normal and when to suspect complications. Of course, our lesson wouldn't be complete without examining how to solve a whelping problem. You'll learn what you can do and how a caesarean is done.
 Week Six
Wednesday - Lesson 11
    Many people breathe a sigh of relief once the puppies are born, but for some dogs, this is when the problems really begin. Today's topic is postpartum disease. These diseases include mastitis, metritis, and hypocalcemia—a condition where the blood calcium drops to dangerous levels.
Friday - Lesson 12
    This final lesson is all about puppies. We'll look at the importance of the first drink of milk. You'll find out how to evaluate if they're getting enough food, and what to do if they aren't. We'll also look at how to keep them warm so they aren't chilled. And we'll conclude this lesson and the course with an itinerary that shows you what to do for the first six months of a puppy's life.
 
Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction

for only
$95 (USD)
through
Glendale Community College

     
 
 
Education To Go Education To Go is the industry leader in online learning. Through a unique partnership with over 1,800 colleges and universities, we provide the highest quality non credit continuing education courses. These monthly courses are both affordable and accessible—regardless of where you live or work.