Taught Modules and Key Learning Objectives
01 Introduction to exotic animal practice. Clinical Pathology
• Know how to collect diagnostic blood, urine and faecal samples from the commonly encountered exotic animal species
• Understand the normal haematological profiles and how these change in common disease processes
• Understand the normal biochemistry profiles and how these change in common disease processes
• Understand the role of diagnostic cytology in exotic animal species
02 Diagnostic imaging
• Understand the principles of radiography and radiology in exotic animal species including the use of contrast media techniques
• Understand the use of ultrasonography in exotic animal species including the principles of echocardiography
• Understand the principles of endoscopy as applied to exotic animal species
03 Anaesthesia techniques and key issues in surgery
• Understand the differences in anatomy, physiology and pharmacology that are encountered in exotic animal species and how these are relevant to the safe conduct of anaesthesia
• Understand the principles of premedication, induction, maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia in exotic animals
• Understand how acute and chronic pain may be recognised and treated in exotic animal species
• Appreciate the current concepts of exotic animal soft tissue surgery, including basic techniques, neutering, coelomic surgery, microchip implantation, oesophagotomy techniques, cannulation techniques and repair of shell and beak defects
• Appreciate the current concepts of exotic animal orthopaedic surgery including common fracture types in the different species and their repair and muscle tendon adhesions
04 Husbandry and common diseases of reptiles
• Understand the diagnostic procedures and techniques commonly employed to ascertain a diagnosis in diseases affecting reptiles
• Understand how to treat common diseases affecting different body systems in reptiles
• Understand the importance of correct housing and nutrition in the maintenance of health in reptiles
• Understand basic surgical techniques employed in the treatment of diseased reptiles
05 Veterinary care of rabbits and rodents
• Understand how to investigate the sick rabbit and rodent
• Understand how to diagnose and treat common diseases affecting the different body systems in rabbits and rodents
• Understand the importance of correct housing and nutrition in the maintenance of health in rabbits and rodents
06 Avian medicine and surgery
• Understand and appreciate the natural and captive husbandry of commonly kept captive birds and the significance of the differences
• Understand how to investigate the sick avian patient, performing a complete diagnostic workup
• Understand how to diagnose and treat common diseases affecting the different body systems in avian species
• Understand the concepts of critical and nursing care of avian patients, together with safe and effective therapeutic management of sick birds
• Understand the principles of fracture management in avian species
• Understand the importance of correct housing and nutrition in the maintenance of health in avian species
07 Husbandry and common diseases of fish
• Understand the role of the environment and biological filters in recycling systems and how to test water quality parameters
• Know how to perform a clinical examination and take the necessary samples used in routine health investigations
• Know which drugs are used and be familiar with the various stages of anaesthesia in fish
• Understand the various common methods of treatment and disease prevention
08 Veterinary care of wildlife
• Understand the legal and ethical aspects of British wildlife medicine and surgery
• Understand the objectives of treatment
• Perform an initial assessment and give first-aid treatment to the commonly encountered wildlife species
• Perform a clinical examination and manage common disorders seen in the commonly encountered wildlife species
• Understand the principles of wildlife anaesthesia and fluid therapy
• Understand the important health and safety considerations relating to the veterinary care of wildlife
09 Zoo animal husbandry, medicine and surgery
• Appreciate the common diseases, diagnostics required and state of the art therapeutics for the major zoo animal species
• Understand the principles of anaesthesia, reproductive management, preventative medicine in the major zoo species
• Understand the legislation that applies to zoo animal species
10 Advanced techniques in mammals
• Understand the current trends and advances in exotic mammal medicine
• Understand the current trends and advances in exotic mammal surgery
• Have a knowledge of the newer species of exotic mammal pet appearing in the UK
11 Advanced techniques in reptiles and birds
• Discuss the latest discoveries in reptile and bird infectious disease
• Have an understanding of the latest developments in the medical and surgical management of birds and reptiles
12 Key and emerging issues in exotic animal practice
• Have an understanding of the size and scope of modern exotic pet practice both in the UK and the rest of the world
• Appreciate the emerging issues facing the exotic animal clinician now and the likely issues for the future
• Be able to advise on the design and equipment for a state-of-the art exotic animal facility
• Be aware of the key and emerging disease issues for the main exotic animal areas
Other Key Components of the Syllabus in addition to the taught modules:
The pharmacy – prescribing, storage and disposal of medicines, logistics and legislation issues Therapeutics – an understanding of the pharmacokinetics, potential interactions and adverse effects of common therapeutic agents (including anaesthetics, anti-inflammatories, analgesics and antimicrobials) Perinatology and neonatology
Housing, nutrition and handling techniques
Infectious diseases and zoonoses
Dermatology
Neurology
Reproduction
Orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery
Dental diseases
Ophthalmology
Legislation and regulations relating to exotic animal species in the UK |