VET40290

Learning Outcomes:

The learning outcomes of the module reflect the role of the small animal practitioner in the rapidly advancing field of internal medicine. Students will learn to become competent clinicians with appropriate practical skills and a good understanding of the common medical diseases of small animals. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving of the range of different presentations encountered in small animal practice. This will be underpinned with preventive care measures and an understanding of the veterinarian’s legal and ethical obligations. Students will also develop basic skills for managing emergency cases.
Having completed this module, students will be able to:

(a) Advise on appropriate preventive care measures for small animals including vaccines, parasiticides, oral and dental hygiene, reproduction, nutrition, behaviour and lifestage
(b) Safely handle small animals and recognise the need for environmental control of infectious diseases
(c) Understand the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of medical diseases of dogs and cats
(d) Obtain a full and pertinent patient history and conduct and record a complete physical examination depicting any relevant abnormalities including the assessment of nutritional status and muscle condition
(e) Perform a full dental examination and provide advice
(f) Demonstrate an ability to identify problems and to formulate and prioritise appropriate differential diagnoses
(g) Select appropriate diagnostic tests with clear differentiation of their indications and contraindications
(h) Interpret diagnostic test results
(i) Select appropriate treatment with knowledge of potential adverse effects and expected outcome
(j) Demonstrate proficiency in dealing with critically ill patients in an ICU environment
(k) Maintain adequate clinical records
(l) Appropriately prescribe, record and dispense medications within the relevant legislation
(m) Communicate clearly with clients and other members of the veterinary team
(n) Develop an awareness of the financial costs for investigation and management of various common diseases
(o) Produce concise written discharge reports effectively communicating relevant details to owners
(p) Recognise when euthanasia is necessary and know how perform it humanely, using an appropriate method, with due regard to the safety and sensitivities of those present
(q) Be able to demonstrate a range of practical skills and techniques including the following;
i. Routine dental care
ii. Obtaining blood, urine and faecal samples
iii. Injections via all routes
iv. Intravenous catheterisation
v. Fluid therapy
vi. Fine needle aspiration techniques
vii. Skin scrapings and hair pluckings and their microscopic evaluation
viii. Correct collection of samples for laboratory tests including dynamic function tests
ix. Perform bench-side laboratory tests including urinalysis, blood glucose measurement, PCV, serum protein concentration, cytological and parasitic examination
x. Perform and interpret an ECG
xi. Administer an enema
xii. Schirmer's tear test, application of fluorescein dye, mydriatics, topical ophthalmic anaesthetic and ophthalmic examination
xiii. Provide enteral nutrition and care of feeding tubes
xiv. Care of peritoneal or thoracic drains
xv. Provide oxygen in appropriate manner
xvi. Prepare for blood collection and blood transfusion
xvii. Completing a full neurological examination
xviii. Safe handling procedures for chemotherapeutic agents
(q) Display evidence of the following:
i. Professionalism and reliability
ii. Ability to work in a team
iii. Initiative
iv. Respect for clients and the veterinary team
v. Excellent communication skills
vi. Enthusiasm for the subject of small animal internal medicine
vii. Empathy for and care of small animals

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Relevant sections of the UCDVH Student Handbook should be read before attending each rotation. Students must read all relevant UCDVH protocols that apply to Small Animal Clinical Studies.

Not applicable.

Students are strongly recommended to revise relevant lecture notes and practical class information from their clinical modules before attending rotations in this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Assessment Strategy

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive written feedback regarding their participation in clinical rotations. Students who fail their rotations will be invited for verbal feedback. Students who fail their rotation will be offered one opportunity to repeat prior to Programme Examination Board. Students will receive individual formative feedback on deficiencies in performing relevant direct observational procedural skills and repeated opportunities to correct these deficiencies. There will be formative MCQ and case based examinations available throughout each Small Animal Medicine Rotation with individual on-line feedback allowing students to evaluate their own progress. Students who fail the CPE or CIE will be offered a remediation examination within the standard examination period that will be considered the in-module resit. Students who fail the entire module will be encouraged to speak with the module co-ordinator post assessment. Passing students will receive feedback on an individual basis.