Course Descriptions

Year 2 | Semester 4

DVM 6100 Diagnostic Imaging 2 (1 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hour lab). This course provides for learning the intermediate principles of diagnostic imaging and writing radiology reports using a case-based framework built on the premise that consistent practice over time with expert feedback leads to skill mastery. Students will develop reading paradigms for musculoskeletal, abdominal and thoracic films of both small and large animals using a systematic approach. Within the given reading paradigms, students will learn how to evaluate study parameters, describe findings using Roentgen signs, draw conclusions and prioritize differential diagnoses based on findings and propose appropriate next steps given conclusions. The knowledge and skills gained in this course can be used in daily general practice when diagnostic imaging is utilized in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning for both small and large animals. Through a combination of weekly cases on the RadiologyRules teaching platform which include a case pre-quiz, written radiology report and case post-quiz as well as a weekly rounds session to discuss the case, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to read and interpret diagnostic films covering the broad range of diseases seen in small animal and equine general practice.

DVM 6170 Principles of One Health (1 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hour lab). Concepts of One Health, built on the foundation of biomedical research, zoonotic diseases, ecosystem health, and public health will be explored to understand how ecological, social, human-animal interactions, and pathological variables affect the health status of animal and human populations and the environment. The course will explore the collaboration and interaction between professional communities in the One Health paradigm and the impact of laws, policies, and management decisions on the health of animals, humans, and ecosystems. Effective tools to encourage inter-professional and inter-sectorial dialogue and collaboration will be discussed.

DVM 6181 Small Animal Preventive Health Care (1 credits, 1 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). This course will provide an overview for preventive care in small animal medicine. Topics discussed will include vaccinations and protocols, parasite control and prevention, wellness care including monitoring tests and dental care, and geriatric care. Also included will be discussion of Spectrum of Care and chronic illness management.

DVM 6291 Food Animal Medicine and Surgery 1 (2 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hours lab). This course prepares the student for food animal practice by providing the foundational knowledge needed for diagnosing and treating the most common diseases and surgical conditions encountered in food animal and related species.

DVM 6231 Theriogenology 1 (2 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hours lab). This course provides foundational knowledge and introduces estrous cycles, and breeding management of economically important livestock species, horses, and companion animals. Students will understand the economic implications of reproductive efficiency in various species.

DVM 6241 Public Health & Food Safety (2 credits, 2 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). The role of animals as sources of public health hazards and as sentinels for environmental health risk factors will be examined in this course. Students will apply systems thinking to identify how zoonotic diseases and food safety hazards emerge, spread and can be controlled. Public health methods and tools related to veterinary issues will be applied to identify options and methods for the prevention and control of hazards and reduction of health risks.

DVM 6281 Small Animal Medicine and Surgery 1 (2 credits, 2 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). This course prepares the student for small animal practice by providing the foundational knowledge needed for diagnosing and treating the most common diseases and surgical conditions encountered in cats, dogs, and common exotic animals. Principles of emergency medicine will be discussed.

DVM 6283 Veterinary Toxicology (2 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hours lab). This course presents an introduction to veterinary toxicology including mechanisms of toxicity, detection, diagnosis, and management of specific classes of toxins and toxicants. In addition, this course will cover topics on toxicities of food producing animals as well as companion animals.

DVM 6301 Equine Medicine and Surgery 1 (3 credit, 1 hour lecture, 0 hours lab). Prepares the student for equine practice by providing the foundational knowledge needed for diagnosing and treating the most common diseases and surgical conditions encountered in horses and related species.

DVM 6311 Clinical and Professional Skills 4 (3 credits, 1 hour lecture, 7 hours lab). Building on Clinical and Professional Skills courses, students will continue to expand their clinical skills in clinical examination of relevant body systems, diagnostic procedures (including pathology, clinical pathology and microbiology), surgical technique, practical clinical interventions, case management and disease prevention. Students will perform a mock surgery using a clinical skills model, perform a leak test on their anesthesia machine, and learn proper technique for surgical hand preparation. Students will be introduced to more complexities related to client communication, conflict management, medical mistakes and financial literacy. Students will demonstrate continued development in communication, leadership, breaking bad news, working with challenging clients, money conversations, and professional skills related to the increasing complexities of the profession.

DVM 6321 Integrated Clinical Reasoning 4 (3 credits, 0 hours lecture, 0 hours lab, 3 hours active learning). A problem-based course where students will develop their problem- solving, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical decision-making skills by exploring a series of clinical presentations. Presentations will cover clinical problems, health protection problems, public health/public practice and research problems. Skills will include problem identification, information gathering and assessment, clinical reasoning and problem solving. Students are expected to integrate foundational knowledge from biomedical sciences with clinical sciences, population health science and technical skills to explore and resolve problems. The focus in CPII is on problem assessment, diagnostic reasoning skills and establishment of differential diagnoses. This will include developing schemata and differential diagnoses lists, making decisions about using appropriate diagnostic tests, and interpreting and integrating data from those tests, and using foundational knowledge from discipline courses to diagnose common clinical presentations. Students are introduced to clinical decision-making.