The Veterinary Science CDE provides opportunities for participants to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of veterinary science.
Event Location & Time
The Veterinary Science Career Development Event is held at the state convention in June.
Event Date: June 28th (Day One), June 29th (Advancement Day 2)
Location: Pamplin Hall, Room 30
Time: Day One - Report at 1:30 PM
Day Two - Report at 8:30 AM
Day One Activities:
WRITTEN EXAM (100 POINTS) – per team member
The objective exam is designed to determine team members’ broad understanding of the veterinary science field.
The written exam will consist of 50 questions. Forty minutes will be given for the exam.
Topics for the exam may include:
Behavior
Disease (causes and sources, signs and clinical signs)
Medical terminology
Medical records
Anatomy/physiology
Regulations (OSHA: Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration; GHS: Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication; SDS: Safety Data Sheets)
Patient management
Facility management
Practice management
Genetics
Nutrition
Husbandry
MATH APPLICATIONS EXAM (100 POINTS) – per member
The number of practicum questions will vary based on the type of activity that is assigned. Participants will have 30 minutes to complete the entire math application practicum. Questions may include conversions, dose calculations, dilutions, cost calculations and invoices.
IDENTIFICATION (100 POINTS TOTAL) ) – per member
Participants will identify equipment, parasites and breeds/species for a total of 100 points (two points per item).
Forty minutes will be given for this activity. Identification lists are located at the end of this handbook.
EQUIPMENT (50 POINTS) ) – per member
Participants will identify pieces of equipment (actual equipment and photos). They will also need to have general knowledge about the use for each item.
PARASITES/MICROSCOPIC (30 POINTS) ) – per member
Participants will identify parasites (specimen and photos) and explain the life cycles of selected parasites.
Participants will identify microscopic organisms.
BREEDS (20 POINTS) ) – per member
Participants will identify breeds of small and large animals (photos)
Day Two Activities:
PRACTICUMS (320 POINTS) TOTAL
Clinical Procedure Practicum (200 points)
Participants will be given four clinical procedure activities to complete (50 points each). Fifteen to thirty
minutes will be allotted for this section depending on the activities selected each year. Participants are
expected to talk through the clinical procedure steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may ask
participants for clarification on steps performed. All clinical procedure scorecards can be found at the end of
this handbook.
Handling and Restraining Practicum (120 points)
Participants will be given four handling/restraint activities to complete (30 points each). Fifteen to thirty
minutes will be allotted for this section depending on the activities selected each year. Participants are
expected to talk through the handling and restraining steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may
ask participants for clarification on steps performed. All handling and restraining scorecards can be found at
the end of the handbook.
TEAM ACTIVITY (500 Points)
Teams will conduct research using local veterinarians and veterinary resources based on the annual topic
posted on the CDE webpage in November. The team will be provided a specific scenario when they begin their
team activity. They will have a total of 15 minutes to prepare their presentation. Teamwork will be assessed
during the plan development time.
Teams will evaluate the information provided and prepare the questions, diagnostics and recommendations as
well as explain steps and procedures for the veterinary process in their plan. Teams need to determine what
aspects of veterinary medicine and roles are most important to demonstrate based on the annual topic.
After preparation the team will be required to give an oral presentation for a maximum of 15 minutes
explaining decisions made by the team. All team members are expected to participate in the presentation. The
team will then be required to answer questions from judges regarding the decisions reached by their team.
Resources provided for the team activity may include diagnostic information like blood work, synopsis of
disease state, treatment recommendations and cost information.
Students may wear FFA tee shirts, polos, or scrubs for the 2021 event.