The learning outcomes of the module reflect the role of the farm animal practitioner in a rapidly changing agricultural industry of the 21st century. At the individual animal level, students will learn to become competent clinicians with appropriate practical skills and a good understanding of internal medicine as it applies to the common diseases of farm animals and in particular ruminant species. In the herd health context, the rotation focuses around data management and interpretation. Students will develop an understanding of the investigation, control and monitoring of the major animal health themes for the international and Irish dairy industry, as identified by Animal Health Ireland (www.animalhealthireland.ie) (mastitis, lameness, calf health, paratuberculosis, BVDV, IBR, fertility).

Having completed this module, students will be able to:

Learning Outcome 1(Individual Animal)
a. Take and record a patient history and conduct and record a complete physical examination demonstrating problem identification and decision-making, prioritisation of differential diagnoses and logical evidence-based case management;
b. Display clinical proficiency across all the major ruminant body systems;
c. Apply relevant medicines and welfare legislation in the context of therapeutic management and management of e.g. injured animals.


Learning Outcome 2 (Individual Animal Practical Skills)
Demonstrate practical approaches to the following:

a. Management of bovine dystocia including surgical intervention(s);
b. Castration;
c. Dehorning;
d. Corrective hoof paring;
e. Claw surgery including amputation;
f. Fluid therapy including blood transfusion.

Learning Outcome 3 (Herd Health)
a. Have a good understanding of the common herd health problems
b. Manage basic herd performance data and give an interpretation thereof

Learning Outcome 4 (Transferrable skills)
At the completion of the rotation, the student will have displayed evidence of:

a. Communication and interpersonal skills;
b. Participation and the ability to work in a team;
c. Professionalism and reliability;
d. Enthusiasm for the subject of farm animal clinical studies.

Students must be familiar with the clinical examination of farm animals including normal ranges for vital parameters.

Students should have reviewed material from clinical lectures in advance of the farm animal rotations.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Students are provided with a clinical rotation participation assessment feedback sheet at the end of each rotation. In addition, they will be provided with feedback when carrying out specific activities/procedures whilst on rotation as well as feedback on their DOPS.