FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Vth YEAR COURSE IN SMALL ANIMAL CLINICAL STUDIES

CURRICULUM FOR THE DEGREE OF BVMS

COURSE INFORMATION

Academic Year 2005-2006

Course Leader and Co-ordinator:Dr. Jim Anderson

Course Quality Assurance Officer:Vicki Dale

Code: 3DAY

PLEASE NOTE

Items contained within this Course Information Document are sometimes unavoidably subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the correct lecture, practical, tutorial and examination schedules. Lecture venues may be changed during the course. The Year Notice boards and email should be checked daily. In light of student feedback and External Examiner comments the following changes have been made:

Code of Professional Conduct to Fitness to Practice. You are reminded that you will be expected to have read the above code, sign for it and implemented during your time in the course.

Contents

1Place of the Course in the BVMS Curriculum

2Aims of the Course

3Learning Objective of the Course

4Components of the Course

4.1Oncology

4.2Soft Tissue Surgery

4.3Internal Medicine

4.4Neurology

4.5Orthopaedics

4.6Anaesthesia

4.7Spey Clinic

4.8Behaviour and Pain Clinics

4.9Caged Pets

4.10Dermatology

4.11Ophthalmology

4.12PDSA

4.13Diagnostic Imaging

4.14Hospital & Critical Care

4.15Triage & Critical Care

4.16Ethics and Welfare

5Course Content

5.1Hospital rotations

5.2Before the week starts

5.3Start of the week

5.4“Out-of-hours” duty

5.5Case Log

5.6Grand rounds

5.7Clinicopathological case demonstrations

5.8Teaching of fourth year students

5.9Guest lectures

6Course Text & Required Reading

7Teaching Hours and Methods

8Methods of Assessment

8.1Assessment of student learning and the Course

8.2Class Examinations and Course Work

8.3Final Professional Examination –- Regulations

8.4Marking procedures in Small Animal Clinical Studies

8.5External Examiner

8.6Prizes

9Policy in Exemptions and Exam Enrolment

10Other Important Information

10.1Protective Clothing, Health & Safety

10.2Student Support & Staff/Student Liaison

10.3Teaching Personnel

10.4Timetables

11Sample Examination Papers

12Core Competencies (RCVS)

13SSPCA, PDSA and Dermatology referral practice

14SSPCA Bitch Spay notes

1Place of the Course in the BVMS Curriculum

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is one Department divided into 5 divisions, with four support units. The Division of Companion Animal Sciences and the Clinical Services Unit provide the majority of staff involved in teaching the final year BVMS course. The 24 weeks of clinical teaching in Small Animal Clinical Studies alternate monthly with Large Animal. Details of student groups and clinical rotations within small animal clinical studies are included in this handout.

Final year is virtually lecture free, the course being based on casework; however, you will need to recall knowledge from all previous years of study and in addition, broaden and deepen your understanding of veterinary medicine and surgery, utilising a wide variety of sources. At this stage in your undergraduate career, you should be taking a responsible and mature attitude to your free time and wherever possible you should use the Library and ComputerCentre facilities, read widely and maintain good attendance throughout the year. Please read your relevant 4th year course material before each of your clinical rotations. Be prepared to participate as much as possible and you will enjoy the year so much more.

2Aims of the Course

1.To integrate the factual material of the fourth year didactic course into the clinical setting

2.To develop practical skills and expand knowledge of epidemiology, pathogenesis, therapies and preventive measures relating to small animal diseases

3.To consolidate skills in history taking, clinical examination and in formulating a list of problems and differential diagnoses

4.To develop and enhance problem-solving ability

5.To develop a sense of care and responsibility to patients and to their owners

6.To develop communication skills with staff, peers and the public

7.To develop interpersonal skills and appreciate working as a team

8.To develop good professional attitude and take a pride in professional appearance and professional behaviour

9.To develop further the spirit of intellectual curiosity and academic enquiry

10.To gain confidence in maintenance of accurate records and preparation of reports

  1. To consolidate knowledge or legislation/certification relevant to individual animal species
  2. To integrate clinical experience of extra-mural rotations into the structured teaching environment
  3. To be able meet the (RCVS) Core Competencies required of a new graduate as far as small animal studies are concerned

3Learning Objective of the Course

  • The objective of the small animal clinical studies final year course is to produce a newly qualified graduate who is competent in the basic clinical skills relating to small animal practice and feels confident to practice the art and science of small animal veterinary medicine and surgery in the general practice environment, with due regard to the RCVS Core Competencies.

4Components of the Course

4.1Oncology

Dr. J. Morris,Mr Rory Bell & Ms Lise Nielson

Aims

1.To train students in the fundamentals of history taking, clinical examination and diagnostic techniques as they apply to oncology and haematology cases

2.To allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge to clinical oncology

3.To train students in the importance of clinical pathology and to allow them to gain experience particularly in interpretative haematology and cytology

4.To train students in the importance of biopsy and to introduce them to basic biopsy techniques

5.To train students in the practical application of the various modalities of treatment for neoplastic disease

6.To train students to understand the practical aspects of cancer chemotherapy and the importance of safety in handling and disposal of cytotoxic drugs

Objectives

1.The student will be able to take a detailed clinical history relating to neoplastic and haematological cases

2.The student will be able to recognise the general signs of neoplastic and haematological disease.

3.The student will be able to justify further investigations and interpret haematological, blood biochemical and urinary biochemical data relating to specific diseases

4.The student will know the value and indications for biopsies and the different procedures available

******************************************

4.2Soft Tissue Surgery

Mr Donald Sheahan, Professor Martin Sullivan & Ms Keiri Jermyn

Aims

  1. To allow the student to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real clinical situation
  2. To allow students to recognise the importance of history taking and sensing owners needs/desires
  3. To develop an awareness of the decision making that is necessary in soft tissue surgery

Objectives

1.The student through participation in consultations will become competent in history taking, clinical examination and client communication

2.The student will be given supervised responsibility for cases to enable them to use a problem solving approach to the case, and determine what ancillary aids are required for final diagnosis, and be able to interpret the results of these tests

3.The student will collaborate in formulating a treatment plan based on sound surgical principles, being at all times aware of the wishes of the client

4.The student will participate in surgical procedures enabling them to develop manual dexterity and an appreciation of tissue handling

******************************************

4.3Internal Medicine

Dr Ian Ramsey,Ms Clare Knottenbelt, Mr Aitor Artega,Mr Andrea Zoia & Ms Alix Thompson

Aims

1.To train students in the fundamentals of history taking, clinical examination and basic diagnostic techniques as they apply to internal medicine cases, including cardiorespiratory

2.To allow practical application of the theoretical knowledge obtained through the fourth year lecture course to these clinical cases

3.To introduce students to the interpretation of blood biochemical, haematological, microbiological and urine analyses as they pertain to clinical cases

4.To inform students of, and allow experience in, the various treatment modalities for internal medical diseases

5.To introduce students to the benefits of dietary therapeutics and instruction in calculation of feed intake

Objectives

1.The student will be able to take a detailed history relating to internal medical disease inc cardio-respiratory

2.The student will be able to recognise and treat common internal medical disorders and gain experience in the approach to their diagnosis, particularly problem-solving

3.The student will be able to justify the use of further diagnostic tests and to interpret the common tests used for investigation

4.The student will be aware of the range of therapeutic diets, their indications and feeding regime

******************************************

4.4Neurology

Professor Ian Griffiths, Dr James Anderson, Dr Jacques Penderis, Dr Christine Thomson, Ms Kelly Chang & Ms Rita Goncalves

Specialist Services II

Aims

  1. To train students in the principles of history taking in neurology cases
  2. To train students in the detailed clinical examination of neurological cases and how to localise lesions within the nervous system
  3. To provide practical instruction in the use of certain diagnostic equipment relevant to the nervous system, in particular, radiography (including myelography) and electromyography
  4. To instruct the student in treatment options for the more common neurological diseases

Objectives

  1. The student will be able to differentiate diseases of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord, brain and muscle by clinical examination
  2. The student will know the importance of routine diagnostic procedures, including myelography
  3. The student will be familiar with the treatment options for the more common neurological and muscular diseases

******************************************

4.5Orthopaedics

Professor David Bennett, Professor Stuart Carmichael,Mr Mike Farrell, Mr Luke Arnott & Ms Davinia Draffan

Aims

  1. To allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge to clinical orthopaedic cases
  2. To train students in history-taking relating to orthopaedic cases and in recognising patterns of lameness
  3. To instruct students how to carry out a detailed clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system and to recognise some of the common orthopaedic conditions affecting small animals and know how they are treated
  4. To instruct students how to use the main aids for diagnosis of bone and joint disease, in particular, radiography and synovial fluid analysis
  5. To teach students basic surgical principles, an awareness of asepsis in a clinical setting, basic tissue handling and wound creation and repair and providing an insight into the diversity of surgical techniques necessary for treatment of certain orthopaedic conditions

Objectives

  1. Students will be able to recognise lameness and be able to carry out a detailed clinical examination to localise the lameness
  2. The student will be able to justify the use of diagnostic aids and be able to interpret them at a basic level, particularly radiographs of bones and joints
  3. A knowledge of synovial fluid cytology and its relevance to the diagnosis of joint disease will also be gained
  4. The student will have the basic skills to collect synovial fluid samples
  5. Therapeutic options for the common orthopaedic diseases of the dogs and cats will be known and students will appreciate all that is involved in good case management from its initial examination to the post-operative care

******************************************

4.6Anaesthesia

Professor Jacky Reid, Mr Derek Flaherty, Dr Pat Pawson & Mr Adam Auckburally

Aims

1.To allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge in the practice of clinical anaesthesia

2.To instruct students how to recognise those parts of the case history which will affect/determine the anaesthetic protocol

3.To teach students to examine animals clinically prior to anaesthesia, with particular reference to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems

4.To instruct students in the interpretation of laboratory results relevant to anaesthesia

5.To instruct students how to devise appropriate anaesthetic protocols for individual animals

6.To teach practical skills relating to anaesthesia such as, venous and arterial cannulation, intravenous technique, endotracheal intubation

7.To instruct students in the use of various anaesthetic agents & circuits, the anaesthetic machine and monitoring techniques commonly used in anaesthesia (ECG, arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, capnography, pulse oximetry)

8.To teach students how to record an anaesthetic procedure accurately

9. To instruct students in the basic principles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

10.To teach students the basic principles of immediate post-operative care of surgical cases

Objectives

1.Students will be able to recognise clinical features, which are likely to affect anaesthetic outcome and classify animals in terms of anaesthetic risk

2.Students will be able to use their clinical findings along with various diagnostic aids and laboratory tests and interpret these in order to formulate the optimum anaesthetic protocol for each individual case.

3.Students will be able to induce and maintain general anaesthesia safely in a variety of domestic species, and administer appropriate care in the post-operative period

  1. Students will have an understanding of how to anaesthetise poor risk patients in such a way as to minimise the risk of anaesthesia
  2. Students will have an understanding of how to deal with anaesthetic emergencies

******************************************

4.7Spay Clinic

Ian Futter (SSPCA)

Soft tissue rotation

Aims

  1. To allow students to carry out spey and castrations under supervision
  2. To allow students exposure to an animal welfare environment

Objectives

  1. Students will have put into practice theoretical knowledge
  2. Students will acquire confidence in routine spey and castrations
  3. Students will recognise stages in the surgical procedure from which complications may arise
  4. Students will be able to carry out a health check on dogs and cats

4.8Behaviour and Pain Clinics

Ms Samantha Lindley (Hon Lect)

Specialist services I

Aims:
1To expose students to the variety of behaviour problem cases referred to GUVS.

2To explain the and demonstrate the depth of history required to deal with these problems

3To demonstrate where relevant the practical approach to these problems

4To highlight the potential clinical causes of behaviour problems

5To explain the therapeutic programmes in the light of owner requirement, animal welfare and safety issues.

Objectives:

1Students should be aware of some of the causes of behaviour problems.

2Students should be aware of the importance of thorough history taking.

3Students should be aware that some problems require a practical approach

4Students should be aware that clinical problems can cause behaviour problems

5Students should be aware that behaviour problems cause welfare problems for the animal, safety problems for the public and other animals and emotional problems for owners.

Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic

Aims:

1To expose students to the idea that pain can constitute disease as well as being part of it.

2To demonstrate that pain and suffering can be measured separately

3To demonstrate that measuring pain and suffering is not straightforward and how it might be achieved.

4To explain some of the therapies, both conventional, complementary and behavioural that can make an impact on suffering.

Objectives:
1Students should have a better understanding of chronic pain

2Students should have an understanding of the variety of approaches to dealing with chronic pain and suffering

4.9Exotic Pets

Mr Alistair Lawrie (Hon Lect) & Mrs Sharon Smith (VN)

Specialist services I

Aims

1To instruct students how to assess diseases in caged pets, including mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles (snakes, frogs, terrapins, tortoises etc)

2To instruct students in how to treat disease in these animals, particularly highlighting problems with anaesthesia, surgical techniques and drug therapies

3To alert students to the many husbandry problems which can occur when keeping these pets

Objectives

1Students will become familiar with the handling and husbandry of many of the caged pets

2Students will become aware of some of the common disorders affecting these animals

4Students will become aware of some of the problems in treating caged pets

4.10Dermatology

(Mr Peter Forsythe (Hon Lect)

Specialist services I

Aims

  1. To expose students to dermatological cases referred to the GUVS small animal clinic
  2. To allow students, where possible, to practice and refine history taking, clinical examination and diagnostic skills
  3. To develop a problem orientated approach to cases

Objectives

  1. Take a dermatological history
  2. Carry out a dermatological examination
  3. Formulate a diagnostic plan
  4. Be able to carry out basic dermatological testing and interpret the results
  5. Know the value of skin biopsies when they are indicated and how to collect them
  6. Know the therapeutic approaches to the commonly diagnosed skin diseases

4.11Ophthalmology

(Mr G. Peplinski)

Specialist Services II

Aims

1.To train students in the principles of ophthalmic history-taking and clinical evaluation by involving them as fully as possible in the examination of referred patients

2.To train students in the principles of ophthalmic surgery by observation and participation in surgical management, so far as number and types of operation permit

3.To provide practical instruction in the use of routine diagnostic equipment on live animals of various species

4.To provide supplementary teaching material in the form of annotated slide sets, library facilities and computer-aided learning material to ensure familiarity with a wide range of conditions independent of the available referred clinical caseload

Objectives

1.Students should be competent in the use of routine ophthalmic diagnostic equipment and be able to carry out a non-specialist ophthalmic examination

2.Students should be able to recognise the normal ocular anatomy and fundus appearances of the important domestic species

3.Students should be familiar with the general principles of ophthalmic medical and surgical management

4.12PDSA

Sue Henderson, Ms Jenny Hammond & Dr. Ian Ramsey

Aims

1.To allow the students access to first opinion cases

2.To allow the students to develop their skills in history taking and clinical examination

3.To allow students to formulate lists of problems and differential diagnoses

4.To allow students to develop their communication skills with the pet owning public

5.To instruct students in the therapeutic approach to first opinion cases and how this varies from the referral case

Objectives

1.Students will gain the experience and confidence to:

2.communicate with owners,

3.carry out clinical examinations in a first opinion clinic,

4make informed decisions on the management of individual cases

******************************************

4.13DiagnosticImaging

Professor Martin Sullivan, Mrs Alison King, Mr. Calum Paterson Mr Gawain Hammond, Ines Carrera, Mrs Jill Cameron & Mrs Nicki Milne

Aims

1.To provide the student with the skills and confidence to carry out radiography

2.To provide the student with a basic grounding in image interpretation

Objectives

1.Radiography

  • The student will become familiar with routine patient, x-ray tube and film positioning
  • Through evaluation of films the student will be provided with training in assessment and selection of exposure settings
  • The student will become competent in darkroom technique
  • The student will be instilled with the importance of film identification and filing

2.Interpretation