The HOSA Veterinary Science 2026/2027 study guide is a 22-page exam-preparation resource containing 200+ questions, answers, definitions, clinical concepts, veterinary terminology, equipment, and animal breed identifications. It covers animal anatomy and physiology, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, nutrition, animal behavior, disease and zoonoses, veterinary pharmacology, workplace safety, emergency and critical care, wound management, reproduction, veterinary careers, laboratory and surgical instruments, and canine and feline breeds. The material is presented primarily in rapid question-and-answer format for focused Veterinary Science competition and examination review.
The opening material establishes foundational veterinary anatomy and physiology terminology. Students review anatomy versus physiology and directional terms such as rostral, caudal, dorsal, ventral, and cranial. The musculoskeletal material covers joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscle functions, long bones, bone classifications, articular surfaces, condyles, foramina, fossae, facets, bone heads and necks, and fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints. The guide also differentiates skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
A significant section addresses cardiovascular and nervous-system physiology. The document traces blood flow through the right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, pulmonary circulation, left atrium, bicuspid valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, aorta, and systemic circulation. It distinguishes pulmonary from systemic circulation and associates lung congestion and ascites with cardiac dysfunction. Nervous-system review includes the central and peripheral nervous systems, autonomic homeostasis, the sympathetic fight-or-flight response, and parasympathetic rest-and-restore activity.
The guide provides targeted review of animal nutrition, behavior, disease, and epidemiology. Basic nutrients include carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water. Behavioral concepts include instinct, trial-and-error learning, ingestion, elimination, resting and sleeping, investigation/contacting, play, social attachment, and separation anxiety. Disease terminology covers etiology, etiologic agents, hosts, dead-end hosts, incidence, zoonosis, reverse zoonosis, leptospirosis, ringworm, feline calicivirus, water-borne parasites, and grass tetany.
Another high-value section concentrates on clinical veterinary care, pharmacology, safety, and OSHA concepts. Topics include NSAIDs for pain management, analgesia, inflammation and wound healing, fear-induced aggression, normal rectal temperatures presented for dogs and cats, sharps disposal, and chemical, physical, and biological workplace hazards. The guide also reviews OSHA, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), radiation-protection equipment such as lead gloves and aprons and dosimeters, and the steps provided in the source for obtaining a rectal temperature.
The emergency and critical-care section addresses airway assessment, breathing, circulation, neurological dysfunction, rapid whole-body examination, seizures, fractures, and stabilization. Emergency care is distinguished from ongoing critical care, and the material reviews management principles such as clearing the environment rather than restraining an animal during a seizure and evaluating airway obstruction through visualization, palpation, and listening.
A substantial portion focuses on wounds, hemorrhage, shock, and first aid. Students differentiate open and closed wounds and review abrasions, incisions, lacerations, punctures, avulsions, and amputations. The material identifies control of bleeding as the first priority and distinguishes arterial, venous, and capillary bleeding. Hemorrhage-control methods include direct pressure, elevation, pressure bandages, and pressure points, while signs of shock include pale or clammy skin, rapid breathing and pulse, restlessness, anxiety, mental dullness, nausea, hypotension, and below-normal body temperature.
The guide also covers animal reproduction and veterinary terminology, including anestrus, proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus, coitus, and gestation. Species terminology includes bovine, canine, equine, and feline, while veterinary-health terminology includes immunization, vaccination, parasites, quarantine, theriogenology, euthanasia, veterinary medicine, and zoology. Career-related material reviews veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, animal caretakers, animal breeders, and marine biologists, including their general roles and responsibilities as described in the source.
The later pages provide concentrated preparation on veterinary laboratory, surgical, and dental instruments. Equipment includes the centrifuge, refractometer, pipettes, differential cell counter, tally counter, balance scale, graduated cylinder, scalpel handle and blade, centrifuge tubes, stitch scissors, Metzenbaum and Mayo scissors, needle holders, tissue forceps, Babcock and Allis forceps, Kelly and Crile forceps, retractors, hemostatic clips, sponge forceps, Backhaus towel clamps, Rochester-Carmalt forceps, ovariohysterectomy hooks, dental scalers, dental curettes, periodontal probes, catheters, and nail trimmers. Some instrument entries are listed by name without explanatory answers, so the document functions partly as an identification checklist for these items.
The final pages emphasize canine and feline breed recognition. Dog breeds listed include the Doberman Pinscher, American Bulldog, Boxer, Akita, Shiba Inu, Welsh Corgi, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Greyhound, Great Dane, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Siberian Husky, French Bulldog, Poodle, Pug, Beagle, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Basset Hound, Border Collie and numerous others. Cat breeds include the Abyssinian, Cornish Rex, Russian Blue, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Manx, Sphynx, Siamese, Persian, Burmese, Scottish Fold, Ocicat, Turkish Angora, Tonkinese, Devon Rex, Japanese Bobtail, and Turkish Van, among others.
Academic and Exam Relevance
This resource is particularly relevant to HOSA Veterinary Science competitors and students studying introductory veterinary science or animal health. Its broad coverage supports review of terminology, animal body systems, clinical safety, disease, emergency procedures, veterinary equipment, professional roles, and breed recognition.
Relevant students: HOSA Veterinary Science competitors, veterinary science students, pre-veterinary students, animal science students, veterinary assistant students, veterinary technology students, agricultural science students, FFA animal science learners, high-school career and technical education students, and students preparing for veterinary-science competitions or examinations.
Academic reference: A useful supporting reference for these subjects is McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, Elsevier, which provides academic coverage of veterinary anatomy and physiology, patient care, clinical procedures, laboratory concepts, pharmacology, emergency care, and veterinary nursing. For competition preparation, students should prioritize the current official HOSA Veterinary Science event guidelines and designated references, as competition requirements can change between seasons.
Keywords
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