Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Farm Animal Science B |
| Unit code |
VETS35020 |
| Credit points |
0 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Bradley |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
|
| Co-requisites |
|
| School/department |
Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Health Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
Farm Animal Science B is one of two units which contribute towards the 5th BVSc. The FAS B unit is composed of six elements, taught in practical rotations. They are complemented by tutorials and e-learning sessions. FAS B is preceded by FAS A and followed by a 3 week elective period, the latter beginning in the summer of the fourth year and running through the final year. All material within FAS A is examinable within FAS B, but the latter requires students to be able to integrate the knowledge from all previous Units (including FAS A) and apply them within the clinical environment.
Aims:
- To enable you to provide practical advice that will improve the health, welfare and production of livestock on the farm. This will be achieved by considering and understanding (i.e. empathising) with the interests of both the animals and the farmer’s business aims.
- To provide you with experience in the examination, analysis and treatment of reproductive conditions.
- To gain first-hand experience in the entire process of meat processing from transporting animals to packaging the meat product. This will include practice in recognising conditions in abattoir samples that might render the sample unfit for human consumption.
- To consider how findings at PM in the abattoir might be used to inform herd health on the farm.
- To gain an understanding of the role of a government vet
- To examine the science underpinning the decision making process in veterinary case management. .
Intended Learning Outcomes
In farm animal practice, the graduate must be able to: • meet the needs of the sick animal or the sick group of animals; • inspire confidence in the farm clients; • recognise a catastrophe that needs additional qualified assistance; • provide advice on herd and production problems.
By the end of the rotation you should be able to:
- make a thorough and complete clinical examination of a farm animal in order to identify normal and abnormal features; use the information so gathered to produce a logical plan of action, including:
a differential diagnosis; b further diagnostic tests required; c treatment and nursing care; d monitor the progress of clinical cases
- carry out practical techniques such as the use of gags, catheter, blood sampling, regional anaesthesia, etc. Obtain relevant samples and interpret the results;
- attain a good understanding of the concepts of herd fertility control and to develop approaches to infertility investigations in both the male and female on a herd and individual basis; to use the principles of herd fertility control to interpret fertility data and advise on any relevant management changes that may be required;
- improve your skills in rectal examination of cattle, both manually and with a scanner;
- reinforce your academic knowledge of animal reproduction and to reinforce your knowledge of basic physiology of dairy cattle breeding and hence treatments for infertility;
- improve your skills in semen examination and the interpretation of examination results.
- attain a good understanding of clinical nutrition
- develop a reasonable competence in foot trimming
- develop a reasonable knowledge of farm animal therapeutics;
- develop a reasonable knowledge of a herd approach to common clinical conditions such as lameness, mastitis and metabolic diseases;
- gain experience in interviewing farmers and ask strategic questions about the farm;
- write a comprehensive but concise farm report which includes a farm plan of action, and refer to published material and consult appropriate specialists; to use these results to modify advice, to producing a plan of action.
- appreciate the possible effects of economic, political or technological changes on the profitability of farm enterprises;
- evaluate the role of abattoir operation in the context of integrated (“Lairage to Lunch”) approach to public health and food safety;
- recognise some common pathologies encountered during PM inspections in abattoirs.
Teaching Information
Lectures, practicals, tutorials, DSE and clinics.
Assessment Information
Individual assessment of students’ performance on each element. Students must gain 50% or more to pass the element. The average of the three elements making up the 3 week block will constitute your FAS 1 or FAS 2 mark. If either of these 3 week blocks are failed (<50%), the failing elements will be required to be repeated before the final vivas. The total mark of all elements will comprise 50% of the final mark in FAS B.
An MCQ Computer-based Steeplechase examination will account for 15% of marks towards the final mark in FAS B.
There will be two viva voce assessments, after the elective period which will include all previous material provided from the BVSc course in production animals, including Veterinary Public Health. The TOTAL mark of the two vivas MUST be 50% or over. The combined mark will comprise 30% of the total mark in FAS B.
If an elective is chosen in Farm Animal Science, this will comprise 10% of the total mark in FAS B and the other elements will be scaled down to 90% in total of the overall FAS B mark.
Reading and References
See individual elements in handbook.
