34199 - Veterinary Toxicology

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

The “Veterinary Toxicology” course aims to provide students with useful information that will allow them to assess the likelihood of poisoning when making a differential diagnosis. Information will also be provided on how to take samples, from both live and dead animals, in order to obtain laboratory confirmation of the toxic agent in question.

On completion of the Course, the student should have acquired:

• KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS – the student should be familiar with kinetics, metabolism, mechanisms of actions, the main clinical signs related to the considered toxicants, the species-specific differences, the legislation.

• ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION – the student should be in possession of a sound ability to:

  • correctly note any indications referred to signs and symptoms of intoxication;

  • collect biological samples to send for lab tests to identify the toxicant;

  • assess any possible species-specific differences in toxic response;

  • comply with all legal provisions regarding toxicants in water environment and in feed.

• LEARNING ABILITY, INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT, COMMUNICATION SKILLS - the student should be able to:

• make the link between different but allied subject matter, especially as regards specific topics (considered toxicants);

• demonstrate a reasoned, critical approach to the subject matter rather than rote-learned knowledge;

• discuss the course topics.

Course contents

 

Topics

Definition of drug and toxicant. Notions of acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and reproductive toxicity. Differential diagnosis. Kinetics. Metabolism of xenobiotics; enzymatic induction and inhibition (consequences on organism and on the metabolism of xenobiotics. Mechanisms of action of toxicants. Legislation about toxic substances in feed for pets, and for breeding animals and in food of animal origin for humans. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chrome). Organochlorine insecticides. Pyrethroids. Organophosphorous insecticides. Polyhalogenated biphenyls. Endocrine disruptors. Radionuclides. PFOS.

Presentation and aims of the course

Cases of poisonings in aquaculture and in sea water are very frequent. Intoxications may be due to accidental pollution of waters (aquaculture and/or sea water) by contaminants. Especially in aquaculture, the contamination may be due to the misuse of drugs. In addition the course will provide informations about acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and reproductive toxicity.

The Course aims to provide students with detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of action, kinetic behaviour and metabolism of drugs, with particular reference to the differences among species. The different drug administration routes and the toxicity will be examined, as well as the legal provisions regarding veterinary drug use.

The course aims to provide the student with knowledge and know-how that will be useful in the years following graduation, namely how to:

• know the main environmental contaminants responsible to cause intoxications to breeding fish as well as wild fish;

• identify and refer the signs and symptoms displayed by the animal with a view to identify the toxicant in question also in consideration of a differential diagnosis;

• take samples in order to have the diagnosis of poisoning, made by a Veterinary surgeon, confirmed by chemical lab analyses.

The aim of the course is to present and describe: sources of toxicants, their origins and mechanism of action, clinical signs, kinetics with a particular attention to metabolism, and legislation.

Requirements

Students enrolling in this course must already be familiar with chemistry, biochemistry, normal morphology and physiological functioning of the different organs and systems, and with pathological processes (acquired from previous general pathology studies).

Students must have a good written and spoken knowledge of English to be able to read slides (that may be used in lessons) and extracts from publications, scientific texts and manuals.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material

Teaching material comprises a list of recommended texts, course note and material (slides) made available to students through websites (https://iol.unibo.it).

The following texts are especially recommended:

• Carli S., Ormas P., Re G., Soldani G., Farmacologia Veterinaria, Idelson-Gnocchi, Napoli, 2009

• Nebbia C., Residui di farmaci e contaminanti ambientali nelle produzioni animali, EdiSES, Napoli, 2009

• Mengozzi G., Soldani G., Tossicologia veterinaria, Idelson-Gnocchi Ed., Napoli, 2010.

Syllabus

Syllabus, together teaching materials, is available through websites (https://iol.unibo.it).

Teaching methods

Teacher

The Course will be held by Professor Anna Zaghini, she is the holder of the integrated Course.

Teaching methods and lesson format

The course involves 21 hours of frontal lessons.

Classroom lessons are intended to encourage close interaction between teacher and students with the aim of prompting the class to appreciate the links between the various matters dealt with and stimulate a critical reasoned approach.

During frontal lessons the lecturer will show slides to support the oral presentation. Students may ask the lecturer questions regarding the topic being presented.

Detailed focus will be given to the importance of species-specific differences, especially concerning metabolism; notions of acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity; differential diagnosis; kinetics; mechanisms of action; legislation; classes of toxicants.

Assessment methods

Student assessment method

The end-of-Course examination will be an oral test. The oral examination will assess whether the student has acquired the knowledge and know-how detailed in the Course objectives.

The student will be considered to have passed the oral examination if he/she replies correctly to three key questions on the general and special sections of the course as dealt with during the course. In addition:

• the student’s knowledge with be assessed with further questions regarding specific aspects of the three broad topics mentioned above;

• it is essential that the candidate have a thorough knowledge of the subject matter of the Courses taken in previous years (requirements);

• it will pay particular attention to the student’s ability to expound the information learned in a logical and deductive manner. In addition, particular attention will be given to the student’s ability to adopt a broad rational approach to the subject matter, showing a capability to link the various aspects of the course issues;

• during the examination students will not be allowed to use support material like textbooks, notes or computers.

• Attention will also be paid to the ability of the student to correlate the topics covered in the two different modules of which the course is divided in order to verify also the student's reasoning ability. The final vote is agreed by the two teachers at the end of the examination and is expressed in thirtieths.

For the AA 2020/2021, in September exam sessions would be carried out “in-persons”, bearing in mind that students can still choose to carry out this activity online (special situations and/or Coronavirus emergencies.

How to enrol in examinations and the examination calendar

Students may sign up for the oral examination only through the Alma Esami online system. For further enrolment instructions, please go to: ( https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm ).

Examination dates appear in special windows for course students, and are scheduled throughout the year for out-of-course students.

• When the number of candidates enrol for an examination is high, the examining committee undertakes to ensure that candidates shall be able to sit the examination at the first possible opportunity.

• Students failing to pass the oral examination are entitled to re-sit the test after a minimum period of three weeks.

Teaching tools

Video player to show power point slides.

Links to further information

http://www.scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Anna Zaghini