Nebraska State FFA Veterinary Science Contest

Contest Purpose

The purpose of the veterinary science career development event is to promote college and career readiness by providing opportunities to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of veterinary science.

Objectives

  1. Participants will demonstrate professional ethics, decision-making, communication and problem-solving skills.
  2. Participants will demonstrate technical competency with small and large animals in the areas of:
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Clinical procedures
  • Identification
  • Health and safety
  • Medical terminology

To prepare for the contest, study materials and practice questions are available. Follow the links to help you prepare for each section of the Nebraska Veterinary Science CDE:

Nebraska Handbook and Rules

National Handbook

For more information regarding the contest, visit https://alec.unl.edu/agedcde.

Contest Superintendent:

Lena Luck

(402) 472-9098
lena.luck@unl.edu

Written Exam

The multiple-choice exam is designed to determine team members' broad understanding of the veterinary science field. All students will take the exam individually. Team members may not talk during the written exam.
For the Nebraska State FFA CDE, there will also be math questions regarding conversions, dose calculations, dilutions, cost calculations and invoices. These are separate in the National FFA CDE. Calculators are permitted and need to be provided by the student.

Topics for the exam may include:

  • Behavior
  • Disease (causes and sources, signs and symptoms)
  • Medical terminology
  • Medical records
  • Anatomy/physiology
  • Regulations (federal OSHA, MSDS)
  • Patient management
  • Facility management
  • Genetics

Resources to help you study for the written exam:

Veterinary Assisting: Fundamentals and Applications. Vanhorn. Clark.
Small Animal Care and Management. Warren.
An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology. Romich.

Previous Years Written Exams and Math Practicums

  1. 2013 Exam
  2. 2013 Exam KEY
  3. 2013 Math Practicum
  4. 2013 Math Practicum KEY
  5. 2014 Exam
  6. 2014 Exam KEY
  7. 2014 Math Practicum 
  8. 2014 Math Practicum KEY
  9. 2015 Exam KEY
  10. 2015 Math Practicum KEY
  11. 2016 Exam 
  12. 2016 Exam KEY 
  13. 2016 Math Practicum
  14. 2016 Math Practicum KEY
  15. 2017 Exam
  16. 2017 Exam KEY
  17. 2017 Math Practicum
  18. 2017 Math Practicum KEY
  19. 2018 Exam
  20. 2018 Exam Key
  21. 2018 Math Practicum
  22. 2018 Math Practicum Key
  23. 2019 Exam
  24. 2019 Exam Key
  25. 2019 Math Practicum
  26. 2019 Math Practicum Key
  27. 2021 Exam
  28. 2021 Exam Key
  29. 2021 Math Practicum
  30. 2021 Math Practicum Key
  31. 2022 Exam
  32. 2022 Exam Key
  33. 2022 Math Practicum
  34. 2022 Math Practicum Key

Identification

For this portion you are required to be able to identify all eqipments, materials, breeds, and parasites listed in the Veterinary Science CDE Handbook.

Equipment and Materials

Breeds

Parasites


Practicums

Handling and Restraining Practicum
Four handling and restraining practicums will be selected. Each individual will be assigned to complete one of the four handling and restraining practicum.
Participants are expected to talk through the handling and restraining steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may speak and ask questions to the participant at the end of each activity, if time allows. All handling and restraining scorecards can be found at the end of the Nebraska Handbook and Rules.

Clinical Procedure Practicum
Four clinical procedure practicums will be selected. Each individual will be assigned to complete one of the four clinical procedure practicums.
Participants are expected to talk through the clinical procedure steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may speak and ask questions to the participant at the end of each activity, if time allows. All clinical procedure scorecards can be found at the end of the Nebraska Handbook and Rules.

VIDEOS

Proper Method for Preparing a Label for a Syringe

Proper Method for Filling a Syringe

Removal of Sutures

Bandage Removal

Bandage Application

Pill Counting Tray Procedure

Administration of Topical Medication

Administration of Subcutaneous Injection

Administering Ophthalmic Medication

Intramuscular Injection

Administration of Aural Medication

Catching and Haltering a Horse

Tail Tying Your Horse

Applying a Commercial Muzzle

Restraint for Venipuncture

Restraint in Sternal Recumbency

Restraint in Lateral Recumbency

Removing a Dog from a Cage or Kennel

Restraint for Jugular Venipuncture

Applying a Gauze Muzzle

Restraint for Cephalic Venipuncture