Veterinary Technology

• Description: Introduction to the profession of veterinary technology and a career exploration of veterinary medicine. Orientation to the program requirements and curriculum. Overview of program structure and student services. Review and practice of library skills. Prerequisite course for several courses in the Foothill Veterinary Technology Program. Survey of employment opportunities and areas of specialization. Ethics and professionalism. Laws and regulations governing veterinary technicians. Introduction to basic animal care skills and clinical procedures.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 51.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week. 24 hours total per quarter. (24 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Formerly: Formerly: V T 50B
• Description: Provides enrichment of the core curriculum of the Veterinary Technology Program. Presenters will include veterinarians, veterinary specialists, veterinary technicians, animal care management professionals, and educators. Lectures, lecture-demonstrations, multimedia presentations, and live demonstrations, by professionals in veterinary medicine. Content consists of relevant topics related to concurrent coursework. Presenters or topics are in a specialty that will help to introduce or develop interest in that specialty. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in V T 50B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 12 hours lecture per quarter. This is a 6 week course - 2 hours lecture per week. 12 hours total per quarter. (12 hours total per quarter.) This is a 6 week course - 2 hours lecture per week.
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Formerly: Formerly: V T 50E
• Description: Provides enrichment of the core curriculum of the Veterinary Technology Program. Presenters will include veterinarians, veterinary specialists, veterinary technicians, animal care management professionals, and educators. Lectures, lecture-demonstrations, multimedia presentations, and live demonstrations, by professionals in veterinary medicine. Content consists of relevant topics related to concurrent coursework. Presenters or topics are in a specialty that will help to introduce or develop interest in that specialty. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in V T 50E.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 12 hours lecture per quarter. This is a 6 week course - 2 hours lecture per week. 12 hours total per quarter. (12 hours total per quarter.) This is a 6 week course - 2 hours lecture per week.
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Second in a two-course series in the theory and practice of veterinary assisting focusing on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for competent paraprofessional support to the veterinarian (DVM) and to the registered veterinary technician (RVT). Prepare for an exciting career as a veterinary assistant by learning the essential knowledge and hands-on skills. Emphasis is on the practical aspects of front office management, working as part of the veterinary health care team, basic animal care, and fundamentals of patient management under direct supervision. Entirely online and may be taken as a stand-alone class or combined with V T 52A and V T 88A to earn the Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 5 hours lecture per week. 60 hours total per quarter. (60 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Applied mathematics as a fundamental communication and technical skill. Review of calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios and proportions, unit conversions, and algebraic equations. Clinical medical calculations utilized in preparation and administration of drugs, dosage determinations, intravenous fluid infusion, and prescription dispensing. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 53B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week. 24 hours total per quarter. (24 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Comparative anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians. Clinically relevant anatomy and physiology of the major domestic animals and birds, and includes a discussion of the similarities and differences among the species. Emphasis is placed on the normal structure and function of the major organ systems as the foundation for understanding pathology and pathophysiology of disease. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 54A.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 54B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 4 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 84 hours total per quarter. (84 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Pre-clinical training of veterinary technology students in diagnostic and nursing skills. Nursing skills will include wound care and bandaging, fluid therapy principles and practice, aseptic technique. Diagnostic skills will include those common in small animal practice: blood pressure and cardiac monitoring, ophthalmic and dermatologic assessments. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 55.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter. (72 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Practical application of animal care skills and principles of animal care and management. Opportunity to participate in the health care team involved in the care, management and husbandry of program livestock, companion animals and laboratory animals. Students will also be given an introduction to anesthetic equipment, principles of aseptic technique, sanitation, disinfection and sterilization, introduction to principles of surgical nursing, basic operating room skills and instrumentation. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 57L.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lab per week. 36 hours total per quarter. (36 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Principles and practice of veterinary office management for veterinary technology students. Client relations, receptionist skills, telephone techniques, interpersonal skills, and personnel management. Generation and maintenance of correspondence, medical records, legal forms, and hospital logs. Basic bookkeeping, accounting, and financial management principles. Marketing and public relations. Professional ethics and professionalism. Use of computers for data entry, patient record management and inventory control. Use of practice management software. State and federal laws as they apply to the veterinary practice. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 53A.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 60.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week. 24 hours total per quarter. (24 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Provides an opportunity for the student to expand their studies in Veterinary Assisting or Veterinary Technology beyond the classroom by working in a clinical setting to achieve specific goals agreed upon by the student, Foothill faculty, and internship supervisor. The student is required to contract with the Foothill faculty to determine the scope of assignment. This course offers the student credit for 3 hours of work in a veterinary practice setting, under supervision of a veterinarian or RVT. Students may take a maximum of 6 units of Independent Study per department.
• Advisory: Student should have completed at least one quarter of the Veterinary Technology program, or V T 52A and 52B online, and have the permission of the faculty instructor.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lab per week. 36 hours total per quarter. (36 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Provides an opportunity for the student to expand their studies in Veterinary Assisting or Veterinary Technology beyond the classroom by working in a clinical setting to achieve specific goals agreed upon by the student, Foothill faculty, and internship supervisor. The student is required to contract with the Foothill faculty to determine the scope of assignment. This course offers the student credit for 6 hours of work in a veterinary practice setting, under supervision of a veterinarian or RVT. Students may take a maximum of 6 units of Independent Study per department.
• Advisory: Student should have completed at least one quarter of the Veterinary Technology program, or V T 52A and 52B online, and have the permission of the faculty instructor.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 6 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter. (72 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Basic principles of veterinary dentistry for the veterinary technology student. Includes dental anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, charting, and instrumentation. Techniques of routine dental prophylaxis and aspects of anesthesia specific to dental patients. Discussion of periodontal disease, modes of therapy, client education, and preventive care. Introduction to common dental disorders and dental radiography. Course includes hands-on laboratory sessions using veterinary dental equipment, models, live animal patients, and cadaver heads. Care and use of common instruments and equipment. Comparative dentistry: dental anatomy and physiology and discussion of dental diseases in a variety of domestic animals. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 70.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter. (72 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Provides an opportunity for the student to expand their studies in Veterinary Assisting or Veterinary Technology beyond the classroom by working in a clinical setting to achieve specific goals agreed upon by the student, Foothill faculty, and internship supervisor. The student is required to contract with the Foothill faculty to determine the scope of assignment. This course offers the student credit for 9 hours of work in a veterinary practice setting, under supervision of a veterinarian or RVT. Students may take a maximum of 6 units of Independent Study per department.
• Advisory: Student should have completed at least one quarter of the Veterinary Technology program, or V T 52A and 52B online, and have the permission of the faculty instructor.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 9 hours lab per week. 108 hours total per quarter. (108 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Provides an opportunity for the student to expand their studies in Veterinary Assisting or Veterinary Technology beyond the classroom by working in a clinical setting to achieve specific goals agreed upon by the student, Foothill faculty, and internship supervisor. The student is required to contract with the Foothill faculty to determine the scope of assignment. This course offers the student credit for 12 hours of work in a veterinary practice setting, under supervision of a veterinarian or RVT. Students may take a maximum of 6 units of Independent Study per department.
• Advisory: Student should have completed at least one quarter of the Veterinary Technology program, or V T 52A and 52B online, and have the permission of the faculty instructor.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 12 hours lab per week. 144 hours total per quarter. (144 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Second in a series of animal care skills topics. Practical application of animal care skills and principles of animal care and management using techniques and knowledge learned in the veterinary technology courses. Students apply knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology to animal care duties. Students will create nutrition and preventive health care plans for program animals and learn how to assess pain in domestic animals. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 75A.
• Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 75B (completed prior to the 2020-21 catalog year).
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week. 24 hours total per quarter. (24 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Principles and practice of veterinary anesthesia for the veterinary technician. Anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems relevant to anesthesia. Pharmacology, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects of common pre-anesthetic and anesthetic agents. The veterinary technician's role in patient assessment, preparation, induction, monitoring, maintenance, and recovery of anesthesia. Sedation, analgesia, general anesthesia, and local anesthesia techniques are discussed. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program, or by special permission of the instructor.
• Prerequisite: V T 83; students may also satisfy the prerequisite with at least three years of experience in a veterinary clinic or laboratory animal setting, and/or a RVT or LAT or higher.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 4 hours lecture per week. 48 hours total per quarter. (48 hours total per quarter.)
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).

• Description: Off-campus practical clinical work experience in veterinary facilities supervised by licensed veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians. Students must assume more responsibility, act independently with more confidence and proficiency, apply principles of critical thinking to clinical practice and troubleshoot with confidence and good judgment. Practical application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in the concurrent second year program course work. The student assumes more responsibility for radiology and clinical pathology, medical nursing and common clinical procedures. Emphasis on developing competencies around dentistry, emergency medicine, and nursing assessments. This course meets the 115 hours of practical work experience in a veterinary medical clinical setting required for the students. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite: V T 91.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 10 hours lab per week. This is a clinical laboratory course. 120 hours total per quarter. (120 hours total per quarter.) This is a clinical laboratory course.
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

There is a selective admission process required prior to enrolling in these courses. For an application, access www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/vettech. Selective admission process does not apply to the Veterinary Assistant Certificate courses (VT 52A, 52B, 88A).