SCAM13035U Exotic Companion and Hobby Animal Medicine (Module 1) – Diagnosis and Treatment of Exotic Mammalian Species

Volume 2021/2022
Education

This course is a specialisation course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

Content

The purpose of this course is to provide the participant with knowledge, practical skills and competences to identify husbandry deficiencies, perform diagnostic work up, establish prognosis and develop therapeutic strategies for the management of rabbits, rodents, ferrets and other exotic mammals commonly kept in Scandinavian households.

 

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student must be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Explain anatomic and physiologic dissimilarities in exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Explain species specific husbandry requirements including nutrition of exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Describe and define normal versus abnormal behaviours in the different exotic companion mammalian species and reflect on behavioural changes in relation to disease processes.
  • Demonstrate an overview of common diseases in relevant exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Explain species specific drug contraindications and differences in dosing of exotic companion mammals.

     

Skills

  • Apply evidence based approaches to anaesthesia and analgesia of exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Perform oral presentations of patient history, symptoms and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues as well as clients.
  • Perform routine dentistry in rabbits and rodents on a best practice level.
  • Demonstrate systematic clinical decision making by interpretation, assessment and reflection on collected patient data.
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on and apply new evidence based diagnostic methods and treatments in the field of exotic mammal medicine.

     

Competences

  • Evaluate and correct applied husbandry conditions in exotic mammal patients as well as communicate species specific needs and optimal conditions to lay persons.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers involved in exotic mammal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of exotic mammal patients.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence based new knowledge at a specialty level within the field of exotic mammal medicine.  

Updated literature list will be posted no later than 4 weeks prior to course start. The participant is expected to have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science:

-Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.
SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:


-DVA in Small Animal Diseases, in Danish known as “certificeret fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte”


-Swedish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Swedish known as Steg 1


-Norwegian specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Norwegian known as Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr

-Finnish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Finnish known as Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri
Lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 90
  • Theory exercises
  • 16
  • Practical exercises
  • 8
  • Exam
  • 32
  • Total
  • 162
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
6 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
As part of the course the student will have to perform oral presentations and hand in a number of written exercises/cases and procedure protocols.
Exam registration requirements: 80 % active participation in the on-site course activities are required in order to obtain approved course certificate. Both, approved course certificate and a passed examination are required to pass the course. Students may attend examination without approval of course certificate.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam dates will be published on the programme homepage.

Criteria for exam assesment

Having completed the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Explain anatomic and physiologic dissimilarities in exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Explain species specific husbandry requirements including nutrition of exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Describe and define normal versus abnormal behaviours in the different exotic companion mammalian species and reflect on behavioural changes in relation to disease processes.
  • Demonstrate an overview of common diseases in relevant exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Explain species specific drug contraindications and differences in dosing of exotic companion mammals.

     

Skills

  • Apply evidence based approaches planning anaesthesia and analgesia of exotic companion mammalian species.
  • Perform oral presentations of patient history, symptoms and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues as well as clients.
  • Demonstrate systematic clinical decision making by interpretation, assessment and reflection on collected patient data.

     

Competences

  • Evaluate and correct applied husbandry conditions in exotic mammal patients as well as communicate species specific needs and optimal conditions for relevant species.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers involved in exotic mammal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of exotic mammal patients.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence based new knowledge at a specialty level within the field of exotic mammal medicine.