Course Outline

The modules are:

Welcome

Introduction 
Course structure 
Benefits of this course 
Getting the most out of this course 

History and pet ownership

Domestication 
Animals in the media 
Classification of animals 
Types of common pets 
Choosing the right pet 
Therapeutic value 

Safety, welfare, health and hygiene

Safety and zoonosis 
Correct handling methods 
Typical restraints 
Vehicle safety 
Micro-chips and other ID methods 
Pet proofing 
Animal rescue and welfare organisations 
How to clean an pet's bed/living areas 
Dealing with pests and parasites 
Preventative health 

Anatomy and physiology

Cells and tissues  
Locomotion 
Digestive system 
Urinary system 
Circulatory and respiratory systems 
Reproductive system 
Endocrine system 
Nervous system

Animal first aid

Aims 
Handling and transport 
Examination and history taking 
ABC 
Shock 
Wounds and burns 
Fractures 
Poisoning and fitting 
Diarrhoea and vomiting 
Administering medication 
First-aid kit 

Dogs

Characteristics 
Groups and breeds 
Nutrition and exercise 
Behaviour and training 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Cats

Characteristics 
Groups and breeds 
Nutrition and exercise 
Behaviour and training 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Horses and ponies

History and anatomy 
Groups and breeds 
Nutrition, housing and exercise 
Behaviour and training 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Birds

Anatomy and characteristics 
Cage or aviary 
Seed eaters 
Poultry 
Birds of prey 
Common diseases 

Fish

General care 
Cold water fish 
Tropical fish 
Marine fish 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Snakes and Lizards

Housing and general care 
Bearded Dragons 
Geckos 
Blue Tongued Skinks 
Green Anoles 
Corn Snakes 
King and Milk Snakes 
Ball Pythons 
More difficult to keep reptiles 
Common diseases 

Tortoises, turtles and terrapins

Anatomy and characteristics 
Housing and general care 
Nutrition 
Hibernation 
Breeding 
Common diseases

Insects and amphibians

Why have a creepy crawly as a pet? 
Spiders and Scorpions 
Stick and leaf insects 
Praying mantis 
Beatles, centipedes and millipedes 
Snails, slugs and worms 
Frogs and toads 
Common problems

Hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice

Characteristics 
Housing and general care 
Nutrition, and exercise 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Ferrets and pole cats

History and Characteristics 
Groups and breeds 
Nutrition, housing and exercise 
Behaviour and training 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Rabbits and Guinea pigs

Ownership and Characteristics 
Groups and breeds 
Anatomy 
Nutrition, housing and exercise 
Behaviour and training 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Chinchillas

What makes them different? 
Nutrition, housing and exercise 
Grooming  and care 
Breeding 
Common diseases 

Wildlife

Safety 
Types 
What to do with injured wildlife 
Orphans 
Should we keep wildlife as pets?