Veterinary Medicine and Surgery A (VETS90076)

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 reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases that affect domestic animal species, such that they are prepared for their transition to the final year of clinic-based teaching (DVM 4).

Students completing this subject should achieve the following specific learning outcomes: 

Unit 1 - Essentials of Clinical Practice

LO1 Understand the diagnostic process
LO2 Be able to perform a major body systems assessment of an animal 
L03 Know how to maintain adequate patient records
LO4 Demonstrate how to use personal protective equipment
LO5 Be able to assess pain in animals and provide appropriate analgesia
LO6 Be able to evaluate, prepare and premedicate a patient for general anaesthesiaLO7 Know how to use anaesthetic machines and circuits
LO8 Be able to induce general anaesthesia safely and monitor an anaesthetised small and large animal patient
LO9 Know how to respond to anaesthetic emergencies
LO10 Understand the principles of fluid therapy and be capable of selecting and administering such therapy appropriately
LO11 Know the principles of acute resuscitative fluid therapy
LO12 Know how to diagnose and treat shock
LO13 Understand the principles of treatment of sepsis
LO14 Understand the principles of surgery, asepsis and surgical instrument sterilisation
LO15 Know how to use surgical instruments, sutures and biomaterials and achieve haemostasis during surgery
LO16 Understand the principles of an exploratory laparotomy
LO17 Know the principles of radiation safety 
LO18 Know how to use an X-ray machine, assess image quality and rectify technical faults
LO19 Know how to interpret radiographs and contrast studies
LO20 Understand the principles of ultrasonography and advanced imaging techniques
LO21 Be able to interpret haematology panels and ancillary clinical pathology tests accurately
LO22 Be able to perform fine needle aspiration and understand the basics of cytological interpretation 
LO23 Be able to recognise common parasitic agents and provide accurate advice on anthelmintic therapy in domestic animals
LO24 Understand the principles of diagnosis and staging of neoplasms and of medical and surgical therapy for tumours

Unit 2 -Dogs and Cats 

LO25 Be able to carry out a thorough and safe physical examination of dogs and cats
LO26 Possess essential information of the reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases of dogs and cats to approach a diagnosis on the basis of epidemiological data, clinical history, physical examination findings and clinical signs in an individual animal or group of animals
LO27 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to reach a definitive diagnosis and accurately prognosticate in dogs and cats
LO28 Be able to interpret the results of laboratory tests in making a diagnosis in a dog or cat
LO29 Be able to devise appropriate forms of therapy or management of reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular disease in dogs and cats and be able to devise strategies for prevention and control of the same

Unit 3 -Horses 

LO30 Understand the common reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases of horses and the procedures used to diagnose them
LO31 Be able to carry out a thorough and safe physical examination of horses
LO32 Be able to conduct a thorough and logical clinical investigation, based on the presenting signs, interpret the findings and arrive at an accurate diagnosis
LO33 Be able to provide adequate treatment for reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases encountered in horses and related species
LO34 Know how to castrate a horse competently
LO35 Know how to implement appropriate prevention strategies for the common reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases of horses
LO36 Know how to deal with a suspected case of an equine infectious disease such as strangles, an exotic infectious disease such as equine influenza, and a zoonotic disease such as Hendra virus  

Unit 4 - Cattle 

LO37 Collect a history and epidemiological information of relevance to an individual diseased cow or herd
LO38 Perform a thorough clinical examination of all body systems of a cow
LO39 Suggest a reasonable diagnosis and differential diagnoses from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and lesions of  reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases of individual cows, calves or bulls, or a herd of cattle
LO40 Recommend appropriate ancillary laboratory tests, submit a detailed request for a laboratory examination, and interpret the results of the laboratory reports
LO41 Ascertain if the welfare of a cow or herd is being compromised
LO42 Specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases of cattle and provide the owner with a prognosis
LO43 Explain to the owner the economic costs of the disease
LO44 Recommend measures to control a reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous or ocular disease in a cow herd or other population
LO45 Recommend measures to prevent a reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous or ocular disease from occurring
LO46 Prepare a written report for the owner or attendant, or a referring veterinarian
LO47 Demonstrate competence in the analysis of records of reproductive performance of cattle herds
LO48 Present clinical case material in a professional manner

Unit 5 - Small Ruminants 

LO49 Ascertain if the welfare of sheep is compromised
LO50 Perform a thorough physical examination of a sheep
LO51 Suggest a list of differential diagnoses, in descending order of probability, from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and/or lesions of reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous or ocular disease observed in individual sheep or in flocks of sheep
LO52 Submit appropriate samples for laboratory testing and interpret the test results for reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases that affect sheep
LO53 Design a prevention program for reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ocular diseases that commonly affect sheep
LO54 Develop a disease control program for these diseases that includes a realistic prognosis, treatment advice, consideration of chemical residues, and (for commercial flocks) an economic appraisal of the proposed program

Unit 6 - Poultry and Aviary Birds 

LO55 Be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of poultry and aviary birds
LO56 Be able to perform a thorough physical examination of a chicken or other bird species
LO57 Be aware of the variety of diseases affecting poultry and aviary birds
LO58 Understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in flocks and/or individual birds
LO59 Be able to suggest a probable diagnosis and formulate a list of differential diagnoses from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post mortem lesions
LO60 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis
LO61 Be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for affected flocks and/or individual birds
LO62 Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in flocks of birds
LO63 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