I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Companion Animal Biology and Care
2. Course Prefix & Number:
ANSI 1115
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
4. Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the biology, care and management of a group of animals collectively termed companion animals or pets which includes dogs, cats, cage birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, ferrets, rabbits, and horses. Topics will include the companion animal industry, popular animal breeds, anatomy and physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, common diseases, zoonoses, and husbandry.
5. Placement Tests Required:
| Accuplacer (specify test): |
No placement tests required |
Score: |
|
6. Prerequisite Courses:
ANSI 1115 - Companion Animal Biology and Care
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
ANSI 1115 - Companion Animal Biology and Care
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
ANS 105 Introduction to Companion Animal Science 3 credits
North Carolina State University
ANSC 10600 Biology of Companion Animals 3 credits
Perdue University
ANSC 1403 - Companion Animal Nutrition and Care 3 credits
University of Minnesota – St. Paul
ANSC 185 Introduction to Companion Animals 3 credits
University of Hawaii
III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
This course will be required curriculum for a new Certificate in Animal Science that is also in the development phase.
If created, this course will be listed as an option for students to choose from for the technical credits required for the Agricultural Science A.S. degree.
3. Other - If this course does NOT meet criteria for #1 or #2 above, it may be used for the purpose(s) selected below:
Technical Elective
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate oral communication skills |
Present and participate in oral online group presentations and discussions related to companion animals and professionally field questions generated during question and answer periods following presentations.
|
| Demonstrate written communication skills |
Create research papers and poster presentations discussing various aspects of companion animal care and management.
|
| Demonstrate reading and listening skills |
Read assigned material and watch/listen to assigned video presentations by experts in the field and summarize the important points in writing.
|
| Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills |
Comfortably interact with others while answering student questions during a question and answer period following a Zoom presentation.
|
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
- Describe the domestication of companion animals;
- Identify and name common breeds of dogs, cats, and horses, discuss their origin and list the major characteristics of each breed;
- Describe the major classes of nutrients, list the specific nutrient requirements and discuss practical feeding management of various life stages, production and activity levels of dogs, cats and horses;
- Describe the general anatomy and physiology of cats, dogs and horses with reference to species differences;
- Describe the general behavior and social structure of dogs, cats and horses;
- List the major viral and bacterial pathogens included in dog, cat and horse vaccines and describe the health condition the vaccine protects against;
- Discuss general care and management of dogs, cats and horses including housing, grooming, hoof and dental care, routine vaccinations and common health issues;
- Identify and name the major classes of pet cage birds, reptiles and amphibians, rodents, ferrets and lagomorphs and their place of origin;
- Discuss general anatomy and physiology, behavior, common diseases and husbandry of the major classes of pet cage birds, reptiles and amphibians, rodents, ferrets and lagomorphs
- List and describe therapeutic and service uses of companion animals;
- Describe ways of managing unwanted companion animals; and
- List and describe the various career opportunities associated with companion animals.
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
- Companion Animals
- Define the term Companion Animals
- Describe how, why and when domestication of companion animals occurred
- Discuss the Human-Companion animal bond
- Describe the therapeutic uses of companion animals
- Discuss current trends in companion animal populations
- Companion Animal Industry
- Describe the petfood industry with regard to: origin, size and scope, food types, trends, and quality assurance standards
- List the corporate leaders in the pet supplies industry and their main product focus
- List the pet healthcare company leaders and describe their most popular products
- Dog and Cat Breeds and Their Characteristics
- Describe the major characteristics of dogs
- List and describe the American Kennel Club groupings of dogs and name specific breeds within each group
- Identify, name and describe the basic characteristics of the major dog breeds that are popular as pets
- Describe the major characteristics of cats
- Identify, name and describe the basic characteristics of the cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association
- Define what is means to be pedigreed
- Describe the search and selection process involved in choosing a dog or cat for a companion
- Feeding and Nutrition of Dogs and Cats
- List and define the major classes of nutrients
- List the essential amino acids required in diets of dogs and cats
- Discuss the importance of the amino acid, taurine, and what foods provide it in the diet
- List and discuss the specific requirements of the following nutrients for dogs and cats: water, energy, protein
- Describe the various types of food regarding sources and quality, physical form, snacks and treats
- Describe the three main methods of feeding dogs and cats
- Discuss differences in feeding pregnant/lactating animals, growing puppies and kittens, working animals, geriatric animals
- Explain how to feed orphaned animals
- Explain how dog and cat foods are labeled and how to read and interpret a pet food label
- Explain common errors in feeding dogs and cats
- Discuss the use of therapeutic pet foods and how they work to help pets with liver disease, chronic renal disease, diabetes, food allergens/food hypersensitivity and obesity
- Explain the role of dietary fiber in dog and cat foods
- Define the following terms and explain their function nutritionally:
antioxidants, coloring, MSM, glucosamine, omega-3-gatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, propylene glycol
- Anatomy and Physiology of Dogs and Cats
- Name and identify on models and pictures the major external anatomical terms used for cats and dogs
- Name and locate the major muscles and bones of the musculoskeletal system of the dog and cat
- Name and identify major organs and glands of dogs and cats and state their functions
- Explain differences between dogs, cats and humans with regards to eye and ear anatomy and physiology, olfaction, taste and touch
- Reproduction in Dogs and Cats
- List and summarize myths and considerations regarding breeding dogs and cats
- Describe the canine estrus cycle: anestrus, proestrus, estrus, diestrus
- Summarize and explain the unique reproductive anatomy of the male dog and how it functions in ensuring reproduction
- Outline details of basic breeding management of dogs in a live breeding situation: where to breed, when to breed, how to tell if the time is right
- List and explain the methods used to determine pregnancy in the dog
- Gestation length in the dog and how to determine when parturition is eminent, what to expect during and after parturition and postpartum care of the dam and puppies
- Describe the feline breeding seasons and the feline estrus cycle: anestrus, proestrus, estrus, proestrus, diestrus
- Explain estrus and the process of ovulation in the cat
- Describe the unique reproductive anatomy of the male cat and how this work to affect ovulation
- List methods used to determine pregnancy in the cat
- Describe gestation length, events of parturition and postpartum care of the dam and kittens
- Behavior and Social Structure in Dogs and Cats
- Describe the learning/socialization processes taking place in dogs and cats during the first few months of life
- Explain how dogs and cats communicate using visual, auditory and olfactory methods
- Explain how smell, flavor and texture/consistency of food related to eating behavior
- Explain why dogs eat grass or feces
- Describe the fecal/urine elimination behavior of dogs and cats
- Describe general methods used to avoided/untrain aggressive behavior in dogs and cats
- Describe the reason behind sexual mounting behavior in male dogs and methods used to control/deter objectionable mounting behavior
- Summarize the following training techniques used in behavioral modification: habituation, sensitization, classic conditioning, operant learning, counterconditioning, successive approximation, extinction, aversive conditioning, flooding
- Companion Horses
- Describe the history, origin and major characteristics of the horse
- Distinguish between ponies, light horses, heavy horses, Baroque, Cob, draft, Hack, Hunter, Miniature, Pole, Riding and Stock horses
- Explain what is meant by the term “color breeds”
- Name and identify the major horse breeds popular in the U.S.
- Identify and name the various coat colors and common markings used to identify horses
- List and describe the gaits of horses: walk, trot, canter, gallop, pace, running walk, rack
- Identify the main structures of the equine hoof
- Name and identify on models the major external anatomical terms used to describe horses
- List required nutrients and discuss nutrition and feeding of horses
- Discuss general care and management of horses: housing, grooming, hoof care, dental care, parasite control, common vaccinations
- Describe the major aspects of horse behavior
- Companion Birds
- Name and identify the common types of companion or cage birds
- Discuss recommendations for feeding companion or cage birds
- Discuss recommendations for housing and management
- Summarize and describe common health issues associated with each group
- Companion Reptiles and Amphibians
- Name and identify the common types of companion frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises
- Summarize and discuss the general biology and behavior of each of the different groups
- Discuss husbandry recommendations: housing, cleaning, temperature, light, feeding, handling, breeding
- Summarize and describe common health issues associated with each group
- List the common zoonotic diseases associated with each group
- Companion Rodents, Ferrets, and Lagomorphs
- Common types of companion rodents, ferrets, and lagomorphs: chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, rabbits, mice, rats, degus
- Explain the origin of each group, why they were used by humans and their general social structure
- Summarize and discuss the general biology and behavior of each of the different groups
- Discuss husbandry recommendations: housing, cleaning, feeding, handling, breeding
- Summarize and describe common health issues associated with each group
- List the common zoonotic diseases associated with each group
- Therapeutic and Service Uses of Companion Animals
- Explain the human-companion animal bond and its relationship to human health
- Differentiate between various classes of service animals: guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs, mobility assistance dogs, medical alert dogs, psychiatric service dogs, minimal protection service dogs, cats as service animals
- Describe animal assisted therapy and give examples
- Describe pet-oriented child psychotherapy and give examples
- Differentiate between the variety of Police dogs: tracking, search/rescue, patrol, narcotics, cadaver, explosives, USDA beagle brigade, and premise security and personal protection animals
- Discuss various applications of hippotherapy
- Managing Unwanted Companion Animals
- Describe the history of and reasons for unwanted or stray animals
- Define the term “unwanted” pets
- List reasons pets become homeless
- Summarize and describe hazards associated with unwanted/free-roaming companion animals
- Summarize and describe various methods currently in use to deal with unwanted/free-roaming companion animals
- Career Opportunities Associated with Companion Animals
- Besides being a farmer or veterinarian, list and summarize some of the career opportunities where one could work with a variety of companion animals