Production Animal Medicine & Surgery PtA (VETS90074)

Intended learning outcomes

Students completing the Cattle module should be able to:

• Collect a history and epidemiological information of relevance to an individual diseased cow or herd
• Perform a thorough clinical examination of all body systems of a cow
• Suggest a reasonable diagnosis and differential diagnoses from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and lesions observed in an individual cow, calf or bull, or a herd of cattle
• Recommend appropriate ancillary laboratory tests, submit a detailed request for a laboratory examination, and interpret the results of the laboratory reports
• Ascertain if the welfare of a cow or herd is being compromised
• Specify appropriate therapy or other course of action
• Provide the owner with a prognosis
• Advise the owner of the appropriate withholding periods for milk or of the animal from slaughter when antibiotics, drugs or chemicals are administered or applied
• Explain to the owner the economic costs of the disease
• Recommend measures to control a disease in a cow herd or other population
• Recommend measures to prevent a disease from occurring
• Prepare a written report for the owner or attendant, or a referring veterinarian
• Demonstrate competence in the analysis of records of production, health and reproductive performance of cattle herds
• Present clinical case material in a professional manner

Students completing the Small Ruminants module should be able to:

• Ascertain if the welfare of sheep, goats, deer or camelids is compromised
• Perform a thorough physical examination of a sheep, goat, deer and camelid
• Suggest a list of differential diagnoses, in descending order of probability, from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and/or lesions observed in individual sheep, goats, deer or camelids, or in flocks of these animals
• Submit appropriate samples for laboratory testing and interpret the test results for diseases and production limiting conditions that affect sheep, goats, deer and camelids
• Demonstrate competence in the analysis of farm financial performance and of animal health and production records
• Design a prevention program for diseases and production limiting conditions that commonly affect sheep, goats, deer and camelids
• Develop a disease control program that includes a realistic prognosis, treatment advice, consideration of chemical residues, and for commercial flocks an economic appraisal of the proposed program

Students completing the Pigs and Aquaculture module should:

• Be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of pigs and fish
• Be able to perform a thorough physical examination of a pig
• Be aware of the variety of diseases affecting pigs and fish
• Understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in pig herds and/or individual animals, and fish
• Be able to suggest a probable diagnosis/differential diagnosis from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post-mortem lesions
• Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis
• Be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for treating affected pig herds and/or individual pigs, and fish
• Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in pigs, and fish
• Know the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances/vaccines in pigs and fish
• Be aware of the major factors affecting the productivity and profitability of pig farms and aquaculture enterprises
• Be aware of new issues facing the pig industry locally, nationally and internationally that are likely to affect the way pigs are produced in Australia

Students completing the Poultry and Aviary Birds module should:

• Be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of poultry and aviary birds
• Be able to perform a thorough physical examination of a chicken or other bird species
• Be aware of the variety of diseases affecting poultry and aviary birds
• Understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in flocks and/or individual birds
• Be able to suggest a probable diagnosis/ differential diagnosis from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post-mortem lesions
• Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis
• Be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for affected flocks and/or individual birds
• Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in flocks of birds
• Know the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances/vaccines in poultry

Generic skills

Students completing this subject will have developed:

• An in-depth understanding of specific veterinary clinical disciplines
• Manual dexterity and technical skills in the practical application of these disciplines
• The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, to trouble-shoot technical difficulties; and to seek accurate solutions to complex biological problems
• The capacity to apply a rigorous, critical and logical approach to problem-solving
• Advanced experience in observation, interpretation of complex data, problem-solving, time management, record-keeping and communication in both written and verbal formats