35597 - Semeiotics and Internal Medicine of Large Animal

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student will have acquired the critical tools necessary to approach a clinical case involving a farm animal, primarily bovine, ovine, and equine species, through the integration of information from medical pathology and direct semiology. The student will be able to recognize the main diseases affecting farm animals and relate them to their characteristic clinical signs.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course SEMEIOTICS, MEDICAL PATHOLOGY, RADIOLOGY AND VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING.

At the end of the integrated course, the student will possess the critical tools needed to approach a clinical case by integrating data from direct semeiotics with information derived from collateral diagnostics and knowledge of medical pathology. In particular, the student will be able to recognize and frame the main diseases affecting the various animal species of veterinary interest.

The Integrated Course SEMEIOTICS, MEDICAL PATHOLOGY, RADIOLOGY AND VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING contributes to achieving the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.10, 1.18.

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE:

To better understand the course content, it is recommended that the student has already acquired knowledge from the following courses: General Pathology and Pathophysiology of Domestic Animals, Veterinary Pathological Anatomy I and II, and Veterinary Clinical Methodology.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT:

MODULE 1 – Marilena Bolcato

Theoretical Lessons:

• Introduction– 1 hour
• Digestive Syndromes– 7 hours
  • Rumen disorders
  • Foreign body diseases
  • Abomasal diseases
• Calf Diarrheal Syndromes– 1 hour
• Respiratory Syndromes– 7 hours
  • Upper respiratory tract
  • Lower respiratory tract
  • Pulmonary parenchyma
  • Non-inflammatory conditions
  • Inflammatory conditions
• Umbilical Diseases in Calves– 1 hour
• Muscular Syndromes– 1 hour
  • Enzootic muscular dystrophy in calves
• Nervous Syndromes– 1 hour
• Neoplastic Syndromes- 1 hour

Practical Sessions:

• General Physical Examination– 8 hours
• Targeted Physical Examination of the Digestive System– 8 hours
• Targeted Physical Examination of the Respiratory System– 8 hours

MODULE 2 – Francesco Dondi

Theoretical Lessons:

• Alterations of the hemogram - 2 hours
• Alterations of the biochemical profile- 2 hours
• Alterations of acid-base balance- 2 hours

Practical Sessions:

• Case-based interpretation of laboratory alterations- 8 hours

 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ).
The materials include the recommended textbooks and additional resources provided by the instructors.

The recommended textbooks are:

• Messieri, Moretti (1963). Semiologia e Diagnostica Medica Veterinaria. Bologna, Italy: Libreria Universitaria Tinarelli
• Dirksen, Gründer, Stöber (2004). Medicina interna e chirurgia del bovino. Milan, Italy: Le Point Vétérinaire
• Radostits, Gay, Hinchliff, Constable (2006). Veterinary Medicine. Uckfield, England: Saunders Ltd
• Stockham, Scott (2025). Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and practical sessions.
In order to ensure active participation in the practical activities, students will be divided into four groups, each of which will follow the same topics in rotation.

The practical sessions will focus on acquiring the skills needed to correctly perform the targeted physical examination of various organ systems on patients admitted to the Teaching Hospital of the Department. The aim is to collect semeiological data to be integrated with knowledge of the main pathological conditions.

Part of the practical training will be dedicated to developing laboratory skills through clinical case evaluation.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning of the course in Semeiotics and Medical Pathology of Food-Producing Animals consists of a written exam, designed to evaluate the achievement of the course's main learning objectives:
(1) the correct interpretation of semeiological patterns associated with pathological conditions affecting major organ systems;
(2) knowledge of the etiopathogenetic, epidemiological, and clinical features of the main medical diseases involving the various systems.

The exam is administered as a test consisting of multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions. Each correct answer is awarded between 1 and 3 points, as indicated for each question. The total number of points available is 30.

Students have 90 minutes to complete the written exam. The use of support materials such as text books, notes, or electronic devices is not permitted during the test.

The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. The maximum score, awarded for fully correct and complete answers, is 30/30, with possible honors (cum laude) if answers demonstrate exceptional mastery of the subject matter.

A failing result does not result in a grade, but rather in a judgment ("withdrawn" or "failed") recorded in the electronic transcript (AlmaEsami), and does not affect the student’s academic record.

The results of the individual parts of the exam and the final grade will be published on the instructor’s Virtuale platform(https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ) within five working days from the exam date.
Students may refuse the grade by notifying the exam-recording instructor via email within five working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Professor Marco Pietra.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Practical exercises, clinical cases referred to DIMEVET, and online resources will be provided and communicated to students as needed.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, instructors are available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Marilena Bolcato

See the website of Francesco Dondi