Veterinary Medicine and Surgery B (VETS90077)

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 and wild animal species so 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 Be able to interpret haematology and biochemistry panels and ancillary clinical pathology tests accurately
LO2 Be able to perform fine needle aspiration and understand the basics of cytological interpretation
LO3 Be able to recognise common parasitic agents and provide accurate advice on anthelmintic therapy in domestic animals
LO4 Know how to perform a comprehensive post mortem examination of the domestic animal species, recognise and interpret gross lesions, and collect specimens for ancillary diagnostic tests
LO5 Understand the principles of identifying toxic plants

Unit 2 -Dogs and Cats 

LO6 Be familiar with breed and behavioural characteristics of dogs and cats
LO7 Be able to carry out a thorough and safe physical examination of dogs and cats
LO8 Possess essential information of the 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
LO9 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to reach a definitive diagnosis and accurately prognosticate in dogs and cats
LO10 Be able to interpret the results of laboratory tests in making a diagnosis in a dog or cat
LO11 Be able to devise appropriate forms of therapy or management of disease in dogs and cats 
LO12 Be able to devise strategies for prevention and control of the same
LO13 Be aware of the public health implications of zoonoses of dogs and cats
LO14 Be able to establish if the welfare of a dog or cat is being compromised
LO15 Understand the link between domestic violence and animal abuse
LO16 Be able to recommend appropriate nutrition for small animals and provide appropriate advice to owners of obese animals 
LO17 Know how to safely and humanely perform euthanasia

Unit 3 -Horses 

LO18 Be familiar with the diseases of horses and related species and the procedures used to diagnose them
LO19 Be able to carry out a thorough and safe physical examination of horses
LO20 Be able to conduct a thorough and logical clinical investigation based on the presenting signs, interpret the findings and arrive at an accurate diagnosis
LO21 Be able to provide appropriate treatment for diseases commonly encountered in horses and related species
LO22 Know how to implement appropriate preventative strategies for the common diseases of horses
LO23 Be able to determine if the welfare of a horse is being compromised
LO24 Know how to deal with a suspected case of infectious and/or potentially zoonotic diseases in horses and related species
LO25 Know how to safely and humanely perform euthanasia

Unit 4 - Cattle 

LO26 Collect a history and epidemiological information of relevance to an individual diseased cow or herd
LO27 Perform a thorough clinical examination of all body systems of a cow
LO28 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
LO29 Recommend appropriate ancillary laboratory tests, submit a detailed request for a laboratory examination, and interpret the results of the laboratory reports
LO30 Ascertain if the welfare of a cow or herd is being compromised
LO31 Specify appropriate therapy or other course of action
LO32 Provide the owner with a prognosis
LO33 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
LO34 Explain to the owner the economic costs of the disease
LO35 Recommend measures to control a disease in a cow herd or other population
LO36 Recommend measures to prevent a disease from occurring
LO37 Prepare a written report for the owner or attendant, or a referring veterinarian
LO38 Demonstrate competence in the analysis of records of production, health and reproductive performance of cattle herds
LO39 Present clinical case material in a professional manner
LO40 Know how to safely and humanely perform euthanasia
LO41 Be aware of the potential for zoonotic disease and take appropriate precautions

Unit 5 - Small Ruminants 

LO42 Ascertain if the welfare of sheep, goats, deer or camelids is compromised
LO43 Perform a thorough physical examination of a sheep, goat, deer and camelid
LO44 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
LO45 Submit appropriate samples for laboratory testing and interpret the test results for diseases and production limiting conditions that affect sheep, goats, deer and camelids
LO46 Demonstrate competence in the analysis of farm financial performance and of animal health and production records
LO47 Design a prevention program for diseases and production limiting conditions that commonly affect sheep, goats, deer and camelids
LO48 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
LO49 Know how to safely and humanely euthanise sheep, goats, deer and camelids
LO50 Be aware of the potential for zoonotic disease and take appropriate precautions
LO51 Know how to respond to animal injuries en massein a disaster   

Unit 6 - Pigs

LO52 Be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of pigs
LO53 Be able to perform a thorough physical examination of a pig
LO54 Be aware of the variety of diseases affecting pigs
LO55 Understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in pig herds and/or individual animals
LO56 Be able to suggest a probable diagnosis/differential diagnosis from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post-mortem lesions
LO57 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis
LO58 Be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for treating affected pig herds and/or individual pigs
LO59 Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in pigs
LO60 Know the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances/vaccines in pigs
LO61 Be aware of the major factors affecting the productivity and profitability of pig farms
LO62 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
LO63 Know how to safely and humanely perform euthanasia
LO64 Be aware of the potential for zoonotic disease and take appropriate precautions

Unit 7 - Wildlife, Aquaculture and Exotics 

LO65 Understand the factors that influence the occurrence of disease in wild animal populations
LO66 Understand the principles of investigation and management of disease outbreaks in wild animal populations
LO67 Understand the principles of treating wildlife in veterinary practice
LO68 Be aware of the legal aspects of treating wildlife in veterinary practice 
LO69 Be aware of the anatomic and physiological characteristics and common diseases of Australian native mammals 
LO70 Know how to rear orphaned marsupials
LO71 Be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of fish
LO72 Be aware of the variety of diseases affecting fish
LO73 Understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in fish 
LO74 Be able to suggest a probable diagnosis/differential diagnosis from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post-mortem lesions
LO75 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis
LO76 Be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for treating affected fishLO77 Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in fish
LO78 Know the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances/vaccines in fish
LO79 Be aware of the major factors affecting the productivity and profitability of aquaculture enterprises
LO80 Be familiar with the principal features of the management and husbandry of small companion animals such as rabbits, rodents and reptiles, and have a thorough understanding of the welfare issues associated with keeping such animals
LO81 Have a thorough understanding of the diseases that affect these species and the factors that influence the occurrence of disease in individual animals and in groups of animals
LO82 Be able to carry out a thorough and safe physical examination of these species
LO83 Be able to reach a probable diagnosis or formulate a list of differential diagnoses in these species based on the history, epidemiological date, physical examination, clinical signs and gross necropsy lesions
LO84 Be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to reach a definitive diagnosis and accurately prognosticate in these species
LO85 Be able to specify appropriate therapy in these species
LO86 Be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention in these species
LO87 Know how to safely and humanely euthanise fish, wildlife and exotic animals
LO88 Be aware of the potential for zoonotic disease and take appropriate precautions

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