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Unit of study_

VETS6208: Principles of Animal Disease B

2024 unit information

A fundamental understanding of disease and dysfunction is critical to the application of principles of preventative and therapeutic intervention in the veterinary clinical setting. This unit of study will provide a thorough grounding in knowledge and skills for a wide range of veterinary disciplines including veterinary pathology, veterinary clinical pathology, immunology, veterinary microbiology, veterinary parasitology, animal behaviour, veterinary pharmacology and veterinary diagnostic imaging. An integrated multi-disciplinary approach will be used to highlight the underlying pathophysiology and aetiopathogenesis of clinical and subclinical disease within the setting of several major body systems. This unit will emphasise a pathobiological approach to the investigative process providing a logical framework for diagnostics to facilitate students' understanding of disease and disease investigation. This unit of study will utilise scenarios from companion animals, production animals and wildlife to contextualise problems of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, reproduction system, as well as behavioural problems and the investigation of sudden (unexpected) death. The unit provides the foundation for integrated parasite/pest management (IPM) strategies. In addition, vector-, water- and food- borne diseases and transboundary diseases will be included enabling students to understand their relevance to the human-animal bond, public health, trade and biosecurity. Reinforcement of the development and maintenance of normal structure and function will be employed to highlight abnormalities associated with specific clinical presentations and disease entities. The unit of study is underpinned by the knowledge and understanding of animal disease and the investigative approach achieved in Principles of Animal Disease A in DVM 2 semester 1, and integrates with the concepts and skills taught within VETS6207 (Research and Enquiry 2B) and VETS6206 (Professional skills 2B) to prepare students for the clinical units of study in DVM 3.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations

Code VETS6208
Academic unit School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points 12
Prerequisites:
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VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108 and VETS6201 and VETS6202 and VETS6203 and VETS6204
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. integrate the knowledge of the normal development of body systems, the microscopic, gross and diagnostic imaging appearance of disease, general pathological processes and likely pathogenesis and apply these concepts to disease investigation
  • LO2. Apply the concepts of embryology, pathophysiology and the properties of common agents of disease (including parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses) affecting the major body systems, into investigative and prognostic frameworks
  • LO3. Integrate the important features of agents of disease and their pathogenic effects to identify and discuss key diseases and syndromes affecting individuals and populations
  • LO4. Apply an understanding of host-pathogen-environment interactions, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to important diseases of domesticated animals and wildlife to formulate rational therapeutic, preventative and management strategies
  • LO5. Integrate an understanding of normal behaviour and biological fitness, abnormal behaviours and compromised welfare, and consider these within a diagnostic and therapeutic approach
  • LO6. Plan appropriate collection, storage and dispatch of biological specimens to diagnose diseases, including ante-mortem samples taken in the clinic and necropsy samples
  • LO7. Utilise the principles and concepts in pathobiology, epidemiology, pharmacology, and animal behaviour to direct therapeutic or management interventions for endemic and transboundary diseases, including zoonoses.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 Early 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.