35672 - Equine Internal Medicine and Therapy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be familiar with equine medicine, with particular reference to the study of diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, and skin systems. Students will be able to correctly diagnose the main medical conditions that can affect horses and to prescribe appropriate medical treatment.

Course contents

This course is part of the integrated course “ Equine Internal Medicine, Surgery and Therapy".
At the end of the integrated course, students must have achieved the following learning objectives:
- Knowledge: students will learn about medically relevant diseases of the horse, as well as the methods and tools for collecting and critically analyzing signs, symptoms, and collateral diagnostic data.
- Ability to apply: students are able to process and integrate data from reports, medical histories, direct semiology, and collateral diagnostics to formulate a correct diagnosis of location or a differential diagnosis or a list of problems.
- Independent judgment, communication skills, learning skills:
students are able to:
- solve the problems proposed through simulated cases and case studies;
- communicate their findings and conclusions to fellow students;
- use available complementary resources (e.g., Veterinary Education Portal, web search engines, etc.) to solve the problems proposed.

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE:
For a better understanding of the course content, it is recommended that students already have knowledge of the structure, function, and dysfunction of organ systems; knowledge of etiological agents, pathology, and pathophysiology of organ systems; knowledge of common diagnostic methods (clinical pathology, microbiology, radiography, ultrasound) and principles of interpretation; knowledge of pharmacological and therapeutic principles.

SPECIFIC CONTENTS OF THE COURSE:
MODULE 1 – Prof.ssa Francesca Freccero
The program is structured as follows:
Theoretical lessons:
• Cardiovascular diseases (2 hours)
• Gastrointestinal and liver diseases (weight loss, diarrhea, gastric ulcer syndrome) (2 hours)
• Neurological diseases (ataxia, paresis/paralysis) (1 hour)
• Endocrinopathies and nephropathies (1 hour)
• Antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistance, principles of biosafety (2 hours)
Practical exercises/laboratories:
• Cardiovascular and respiratory systems (2 hours)
• Fluid and antimicrobial therapy management (2 hours)
MODULE 2 – Prof. Fabio Gentilini
The program is structured as follows:
Theoretical lessons:
• Deep respiratory tract diseases (2 hours)
• Preventive medicine (2 hours)
• Clinical pathology (2 hours)
• Clinical genetics (1 hour)
Practical exercises/laboratories:
• Cytology and laboratory diagnostics
• Prescription

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials are available on the Virtual Platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Required reading:

• Bradford P. Smith - Large Animal Internal Medicine, 4th edition

• Stephen M. Reed, Warwick M. Bayly, Debra C. Sellon - Equine Internal Medicine, 3rd edition

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures (15 hours) and exercises/laboratories (8 hours x 4 and 2 hours x 2).

The course program is approached from a problem-oriented perspective and includes topics presented in the context of clinical cases/clinical scenarios. Particular attention will be paid to differential diagnosis, diagnostic algorithms, and diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

Lectures aim to promote interaction between the teacher and students and to discuss clinical reasoning, using multimedia tools such as images and videos, PowerPoint presentations, and real-time surveys.

Through this methodology, the most common diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems, hematopoietic and nephrological diseases, liver and endocrine diseases, neurological and neuromuscular diseases, genetic diseases, and systemic syndromes (SIRS, SEPSIS) will be addressed in a systematic manner.

Some lectures may be preparatory to practical lessons conducted either with animals or in the laboratory.

Some topics of primary importance in therapy will be addressed in a monographic manner: practical antibiotic therapy, fluid therapy.

The practical activities include four practical topics carried out either with animals or in the laboratory. The teaching method involves and encourages work in small groups with a supervisor and the presentation and discussion of the results obtained.

Students will be divided into four groups, and each group will carry out five activities, including: one two-hour activity at the DIMEVET stables; one two-hour activity at the Clinical Skills Lab; one two-hour activity at the DIMEVET Clinical Pathology Laboratory; one two-hour activity and one one-hour activity in the multimedia classroom.

In view of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at this training activity requires the successful completion of modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode, and the successful completion of module 3 of specific training on health and safety in the workplace. Information on the dates and methods of attendance for module 2 can be found in the relevant section of the Course website.

Appropriate lab coats and footwear must be worn to participate in the practical and laboratory activities. Appropriate PPE will be provided for the specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning for the Integrated Course “Equine Internal Medicine, Surgery and Therapy” consists of a final exam conducted concomitantly for the modules “Equine Internal Medicine and Therapy” and “Equine Surgery and Therapy" as well as an assessment of the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the core clinical training.

The final examination consists of an in-person written test. The test may include 1) the resolution of simulated cases (0–5 points), 2) multiple-choice questions (0.5–2 points), or 3) open-ended questions (0–4 points), for a total of 20 points, consisting of 10 points for each Module of the course. The 20 points are converted into marks out of thirty and contribute to the final grade of the Integrated Course as a weighted average based on the CFU. The examination is considered passed with a minimum score of 12 points (18/30), obtained by achieving a minimum score of 6 points in the parts relating to Modules I and II of the course. The time available to the student for the written test is 30–45 minutes. The maximum score obtainable by providing all correct and complete answers is therefore 30 with honors. Points obtained by passing the practical tests and ongoing practical tests can contribute to the final grade.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by the average of the grades from the various parts of the exam, expressed out of 30. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en ) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.

The student may refuse the grade once by notifying the course examiner by email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is prof. Alessandro Spadari.

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.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The lectures employ the use of supporting videos and images showing clinical signs, clinical procedures, and supplementary test material (e.g., diagnostic images, pathological slides, clinical pathology results). This material will be available for consultation online on the specific course website.

The lectures are delivered using presentations in .ppt format, which will be available in .pdf format for consultation and download on the Virtual platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Overall, the course will use: real or simulated clinical cases, the Clinical Skill Lab and multimedia room, animals admitted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital facilities, the Veterinary Teaching Portal, and biological samples examined at the Clinical Pathology Service.

If students have difficulty understanding the subject matter, the instructor is available to meet with them for clarification by appointment via email.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Freccero

See the website of Fabio Gentilini