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Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Part A (VETS90076)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 37.5Not available in 2017

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Overview

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This subject is strongly focused on clinical veterinary medicine and surgery, both the general principles of veterinary clinical practice, and the specifics of approaches to diagnosis, management and prevention of disease in the major domestic animal species. In the first unit of study, students will be introduced to principles of the diagnostic process, consultation technique, history taking, clinical examination and emergency examination, surgery, anaesthesia and analgesia, principles of imaging, preventative medicine and nutrition. Later in the year topics will include economics, business skills, ethics and the law (incl. medical records), emergency and notifiable diseases and comparative and wildlife medicine. Throughout the year students will be given opportunities to apply these principles in the context of particular species and disease states, and to acquire proficiency in a defined list of clinical skills.

Subsequent units will introduce students to the diagnosis, management and prevention of the range of specific disease conditions of domestic animals (including horses, cattle, small ruminants, pigs, poultry and caged birds, dogs, cats and other small companion animals). Units will be delivered based on clinical presentation, an approach that is designed to support students in development of their diagnostic reasoning skills, and encourage a comparative view of veterinary medicine and surgery.

First Half Year

  • Unit 1 Principles of Professional Practice Part 1
  • Unit 2 Reproduction & Obstetrics
  • Unit 3 Itchy, lumpy, hairy & bald; Sore eyes and blind
  • Unit 4 Lame
  • Unit 5 Nasal discharge, sneezing, snuffling; Stridor/cough / dyspnoea
  • Unit 6 Production Animals (including Pigs and Aquaculture)

Second Half Year

  • Unit 7 Ruminant abdomen; Vomiting and regurgitation, dyschezia & constipation; Diarrhoea; Abdominal pain & distension
  • Unit 8 Jaundice and pallor; The neonate
  • Unit 9 Seizures / tremors / ataxia / recumbency; Episodic collapse / weakness /paralysis; Sudden death
  • Unit 10 Polyuria/Polydipsia ; Incontinence/stranguria
  • Unit 11 Weight Loss and Poor Performance
  • Unit 12 Principles of Professional Practice Part 2

Intended learning outcomes

This subject aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the principles of veterinary clinical and professional practice, and the range of diseases that affect domestic animal species, such that they are prepared for their transition to the final year of clinic based teaching (DVM4).


In addition, students successfully completing this subject will have demonstrated competency in a designated list of clinical skills, and have developed communication skills appropriate for clinic based interactions with clients and colleagues.

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

Last updated: 3 November 2022