35451 - Veterinary Pharmacology and Pharmacy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will possess the necessary tools for the proper use of drugs: they will understand pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, toxicity, legal aspects, and the pharmacological categories of veterinary drugs across different animal species. In particular, the student will acquire the knowledge (of pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and toxicity) needed to use drugs with the best possible risk/benefit ratio. Understanding the various categories of veterinary drugs will enable them to carry out targeted therapies, taking into account the patient’s condition (age, sex, pre-existing conditions, concurrent treatments, etc.) and the specific animal species.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology.”

The course program is structured as follows:

Theoretical Lectures:

• General part
• Routes of administration and absorption
• Distribution
• Metabolism
• Elimination
• Steady state
• Potency and efficacy
• Therapeutic index
• Antibiotic resistance
• Antibiotics
• Anthelmintics
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Cardiovascular drugs
• Gastroprotective drugs
• Bronchodilators
• Other respiratory drugs
  

Practical Sessions:

• Calculations and dilutions for drug use
• Veterinary electronic prescription

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale learning platform (virtuale.unibo.it).

For further reading, the following supplementary texts are recommended:

• Belloli C., Carli S., Ormas P., Farmacologia Veterinaria, Idelson-Gnocchi, 2021

• Riviere J.E., Papich M.G., Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Wiley-Blackwell, 2017

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical lessons and classroom exercises.

Given the activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance in this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1, 2, and 3 of the e-learning health and safety training for study environments.

Assessment methods

Assessment is via a written test covering all topics from the course, aimed at verifying the acquisition of the required knowledge.

The test includes 31 multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer. Correct answers score 1 point; incorrect or blank answers score 0. Students have 60 minutes to complete the test. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices, including calculators, tablets, smartwatches, and computers, may be used during the examination unless explicitly authorised by the examiner. The use of AI tools during the assessment is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Results are published on the AlmaEsami platform (almaesami.unibo.it) within 5 working days. Students may refuse the grade once, by emailing the instructor within 5 working days.

The weighted average of this grade and the “Veterinary Toxicology” grade forms the final grade for the Integrated Course, expressed out of 30.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform. 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 (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

PowerPoint presentations

Interactive Clinical Pharmacology platform

VetInfo platform

WooClap platform

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

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Barbarossa